The SWCAA budget is based on a fiscal year concept beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of each year, as provided in RCW 70.94.092. Revenue to fund the programs administered by SWCAA comes from a wide range of sources.
Grants are received from the State of Washington and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as core or supplemental funds. Core grants are relatively general in nature and can be used to cover the costs incurred by the Agency’s basic core programs. Supplemental grants are sometimes provided to fund dedicated special tasks, such as establishing new monitoring sites or installing air pollution reduction equipment. SWCAA's per capita assessment during 2009 was $0.33 per citizen, levied through the normal taxation process of the area’s counties and cities. This per capita fee increased to $0.33 from $0.32 on January 1, 2008.
The Agency also receives revenue from registration fees, new source review, asbestos, burning, and Title V permit fees. Penalties collected for violation of the rules and regulations of SWCAA are transferred into the fiscal year budget in the following year after collection.