1. Purple Loosestrife

    Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife – Erect squarish stems, up to 8 feet tall, Leaves: 1 ½ to 4 inches long, lance-shaped and lack petioles, usually opposite and rotated 90 degrees from the previous node or whorled in sets of 3.Flowers: spikes of magenta flowers 4 – 16 inches long, flowers from July to October.Habitat: Found in wetlands and streams in the Centralia/Chehalis area as well as Stearns Creek and Mineral Lake in Lewis County.Weed Classification: B designateWhy Is It a Noxious Weed?Purple loosestrife is a vigorous competitor and can crowd out other vegetation including native species. It can quickly dominate …


    Weed Control - Sept. 12, 2022, 11:28 a.m.

  2. Field Operations/Patrol

    FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU – CHIEF RICK VAN WYCK The Field Operations Bureau encompasses the Patrol Division for the office. PATROL DIVISION: The Patrol Division is under the direct supervision of a Captain and consists of four squads. A Sergeant leads each squad, and each squad is comprised of five deputies.Deputies are responsible for responding to emergencies, investigating crimes that have occurred, conducting traffic enforcement, investigating motor vehicle collisions, serving of civil papers, sex offender registration checks and various other duties.The unincorporated area of Lewis County is divided into two geographic areas for the purpose of patrols. Mossyrock is the dividing …


    Sheriff - Jan. 27, 2015, 8:45 a.m.

  3. Search & Rescue

    The Lewis County Search and Rescue program is under the guidance and direction of the Lewis County Sheriff and his designees. The program is greatly dependent upon the efforts of many volunteers from the local communities and could not exist without their dedication.In 1959 the Mossyrock Search and Rescue Unit was developed to fill the need for an organized search and rescue unit. They were joined by Salkum in 1977 and Packwood in 1978. In 1986 the Civil Air Patrol organized the Fire Mountain Squadron.The Sheriff's Posse was reorganized as a SAR unit in 1987 and the Cascade Dogs Unit …


    Sheriff - March 8, 2016, 1 p.m.

  4. Board of Equalization

    ***For taxes payable in 2026, the filing deadline is Dec. 1, 2025*** Petitions filed after the filing deadline will not be accepted without a good cause waiver or a request to reconvene.Each parcel needs a separate petition form and you can file online at https://lewiscounty.formstack.com/forms/board_of_equalization_form About the Board The Lewis County Board of Equalization is an independent body of private citizens that hears and decides appeals related to property valuation and other determinations by the Lewis County Assessor. Appointed by the County Commissioners, the Board is established by the laws of Washington State and governed by the Washington State Department …


    Commissioners - July 16, 2014, 12:55 p.m.

  5. 911 Recent News


    911 Communications - Jan. 23, 2019, 4:18 p.m.

  6. Applications & Permits

    WAN (Water Availability Notice)Who needs this? Any water connection beyond one single-family residence requires a WAN (does not include individual wells)See "Water Applications" on Community Development's "Permit Applications and Handouts" pageSelect "Water Availability Notification Form - Municipal" for Centralia, Chehalis, and Napavine connections onlySelect "Water Availability Notification Form - Public" for all other connectionsWELL SITE INSPECTION FORMWho needs this? Any well proposing to serve more than one single-family residence requires a Well Site Inspection Form (does not include individual wells)MSR (Master Site Review) approval with the Planning Department will be required prior to application submittalSee "Water Applications" on Community Development's …


    Environmental Health - Feb. 1, 2018, 9:11 a.m.

  7. Common Tansy

    Tanacetum vulgare Common Tansy- This pungent perennial grows up to 5' tall and spreads via wind-dispersed seeds, as well as by rhizomes.Leaves: Alternate and pinnately compound, they are deeply divided into toothed segments and become smaller towards the top of the stalk.Flowers: Flowers bloom from July to October. Numerous clusters of button-like yellow flowers that have a flat top and are 1/4 to 1/2 inches wide.Habitat: It is extremely common to find along roadsides, waste areas, stream banks and in pastures.Weed Classification: BWhy is it a Noxious Weed? Because of its aggressive nature and risk of toxicity to livestock. Like …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 9:46 a.m.

  8. Children In Need of Services (CHINS)

    LEWIS COUNTY JUVENILE COURT CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES LEGISLATION R.C.W. l3.32A Effective 7/23/95 CHINS Handout Child In Need of Services (CHINS) means a juvenile: 1. Who is beyond the control of his or her parent such that the child’s behavior endangers thehealth, safety, or welfare of the child or other person; 2. Who has been reported to law enforcement as absent without consent for at least 24 consecutive hours from the parent’s home, a crisis residential center, an out-of-home placement, or a court-ordered placement on two or more separate occasions; and 3. Who is in need of necessary services, …


    Juvenile Court - Oct. 23, 2014, 1:43 p.m.

  9. Short Term Rental Registry Process

    On January 1, 2026, all owners and operators of short-term rentals (also known as Air BnBs) will be required to register the rental through Lewis County. Owners/operators will have one calendar year to come into compliance. The registry application is available through the online portal HERE.The requirements are specified in Lewis County Code Chapter 17.105. The following is a summary of the requirements (this is not an exhaustive list):A short-term rental can be a single family home, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), duplex, detached bedroom, RV/trailer, yurt or other similar structure.All short-term rentals will be required to have a building permit …


    Community Development - Nov. 5, 2025, 3:01 p.m.

  10. Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

    The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is administered by Lewis County Public Health & Social Services (PHSS). WIC services assure healthy pregnancies, healthy birth outcomes, and healthy growth and development for women, infants, and children up to age five. WIC is available at the Public Health Building, 360 NW North Street in downtown Chehalis. WIC staff also make monthly visits to Randle, Mossyrock, and Winlock. Families of all sizes and types may qualify for WIC. Call 360-740-1255 or 1-800-562-6130 ext. 1255. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The Washington State WIC Nutrition program does not discriminate.Chehalis Office HoursMonday–Friday: …


    Public Health - April 6, 2016, 3:05 p.m.