1. Code Compliance

    Complaints Junk Vehicles Abandoned Vehicles Tenant/Landlord Matters FAQ The Code Compliance Division receives, investigates, tracks, and coordinates code violation complaints for the following county departments: Environmental Health and Community Development. Examples of issues handled include building violations, septic violations, water violations, land use violations, hulk vehicles, solid waste, and hazardous waste.We work closely and effectively with other county departments including the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office. We also work with other governmental and municipal departments including, but not limited to, Washington State Patrol, the cities of Centralia and Chehalis, Southwest Clean Air Authority, and Washington …


    Code Compliance - June 8, 2022, 8:43 a.m.

  2. Community Development

    Burn Restriction - Effective July 1, 2025Effective 12:01 A.M., July 01, 2025, burn restrictions will be in place until October 15, 2025, or until the conditions improve. All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning will be restricted until further notice.Beginning this year, in an effort to provide greater predictability and consistency for the public and emergency service personnel, Lewis County is implementing standardized annual restrictions on outdoor burning on all land regulated by Lewis County, effective every year beginning at 12:01 a.m. July 15 and extending through 11:59 p.m. October 15, as imposed by the Lewis County Fire Marshal, excluding …


    Community Development - Jan. 23, 2019, 4:12 p.m.

  3. Limits on Food and Retail Service Uses in LAMIRDs

    Effective on June 9, 2022 Lewis County will implement new state rules that limit the size of food and retail service uses in Type I Limited Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRDs). During the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session, Senate Bill 5275 revised RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i)(C) related to LAMIRDs. The revised law includes the following limits on retail and food service:Retail or food service uses can occupy an existing building, or redeveloped building, as long as the structure was previously used for retail or food service and the use will occupy the same building footprint as the original footprint or …


    Community Development - June 6, 2022, 4:59 p.m.

  4. New Community Development resource is offered to keep citizens informed

    Mindy Brooks, left, Lewis County Community Development Senior Long Range Planner, greets citizen at the Community Development office in Chehalis. CHEHALIS – Lewis County Community Development has a new tool for the public to stay informed about issues such as changes to development regulations, changes to building codes, when burn bans are put in place or lifted, and planning for communities like the Onalaska Subarea Plan.Sign up to receive email notifications, or change your subscription preferences, by clicking the link: https://tinyurl.com/757an56k and entering the required information.Community Development sends approximately four notifications per month. Questions about the new online resource should …


    News Room - Sept. 26, 2023, 9:43 a.m.

  5. Lewis County Planning Commission discusses RV parks, campgrounds and the Packwood Subarea Plan

    Community Development is updating the rules for new RV parks and campgrounds. The Planning Commission will hold a workshop 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, where staff will present the changes. The Packwood Subarea Plan will also be discussed.Subsequently, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, there is a tentatively scheduled public hearing for people to provide their thoughts on any proposed changes to RV parks and campgrounds.For more information and to confirm the date, time and location of meetings, please visit the webpage https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/rezones/comprehensive-plan-and-development-regulation-amendments/rv-parks-and-campground-code-update/.Questions should be directed to Preston Pinkston at 360-740-1389.


    News Room - June 20, 2023, 12:56 p.m.

  6. Community Development Staff Directory

    If you are unsure who you need to contact, please use the "Contact Us" button on the left side of the page. This will allow us to forward your inquiry to the correct personnel. Permit CenterBrad ClarkPermit Technician Leadbradley.clark@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2611Mollie HurtPermit Technicianmollie.hurt@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1411Jennifer CervantesPermit Technicianjennifer.cervantes@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2615Katie JohnsonPermit Techniciankatie.johnson@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2782Planning DepartmentKaren WitherspoonSenior Project PlannerPreston PinkstonPlanner IIpreston.pinkston@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1389Tara SnelsonAssistant Plannertara.snelson@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2602Weston Floro-HagemanAssistant Plannerweston.floro-hageman@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-3379 Building & Fire SafetyDoyle SanfordBuilding Official / Fire Marshal / Floodplain Managerdoyle.sanford@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2696Mike JohnstonPlans Examinermichael.johnston@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-2773Jordan PanteleeffBuilding Inspectorjordan.panteleeff@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1285Neal BahrtBuilding Inspectorneal.bahrt@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1184Chris CollinsBuilding Inspectorchris.collins@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-1474Smokey PadgettCode Compliance Officersmokey.padgett@lewiscountywa.gov360-740-3372AdministrationMindy BrooksCommunity Development DirectorSarah Hensley Office ManagerMegan SathreAdministrative AssistantKylie PeckhamOffice Assistant Senior


    Community Development - Sept. 29, 2021, 12:04 p.m.

  7. Planning Commission

    The Lewis County Planning Commission is providing options for public access to the meeting in person, online and by phone. Planning Commission meetings take place at the Lewis County Community Development & Environmental Health Building at 125 NW Chehalis Ave, Chehalis. Alternatively, the public may participate via Zoom using the information in the Meeting Agenda.Meeting Materials:Agenda - 06/10/2025Meeting Notes - 06/10/2025Staff Report: Energy Code


    Community Development - Jan. 9, 2025, 3:11 p.m.

  8. Onalaska Subarea Plan Open House

    Onalaska Subarea Plan Open House in the Community Development Hearing Room, 125 NW Chehalis Avenue, Chehalis, 4:00-6:00pm. Materials are on the Onalaska Subarea Plan webpage https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/rezones/comprehensive-plan-and-development-regulation-amendments/onalaska-subarea-plan/


    Community Development - March 6, 2025, 1:47 p.m.

  9. Packwood Subarea Plan Phase 2 Open House

    Packwood Subarea Plan Phase 2 Open House at the Packwood Community Hall, 12935 US-12 Packwood, 5:30-7:30pm. Materials are on the Packwood Subarea Plan webpage https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/community-development/rezones/comprehensive-plan-and-development-regulation-amendments/packwood-subarea-plan/


    Community Development - March 6, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

  10. Community Development Data

    Address & Private Road DataNew addresses assigned and new private road information Building Permit Data2025 Building Permits issued by Lewis County Community Development


    Community Development - Aug. 10, 2018, 10:01 a.m.