1. Rabies, Bats, and Animal Bites

    The possibility of rabies in domestic or wild animals is very unlikely in Washington, though it is still important to vaccinate your pets. Raccoons, skunks, and foxes are known to have rabies across the country, at low rates, and are considered rabid unless proven negative by a lab test. In developing countries worldwide, dogs are the principal animal in which rabies is found.Rabies is almost always deadly once the virus attacks your body, but you can receive preventive treatment if you've been bitten or scratched by a bat or other potentially rabid animal.Lewis County has had no cases of rabies …


    Public Health - June 25, 2024, 10:39 a.m.


  2. Destroyed Property

    DESTROYED PROPERTY CLAIM TAXPAYER'S CLAIM FOR REDUCTION OF ASSESSMENTS AND THE ABATEMENT OF TAXES RESULTING FROM DESTROYED REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, OR LOSS OF VALUE IN A DECLARED DISASTER AREA RCW 84.70.010 AND RCW 84.70.040Eligibility:Claims must be filed with the County Assessor within three (3) years of the date of destruction or loss of value.No relief shall be given to any person who is convicted of arson with regard to the property for which relief is sought.Assessment Reduction:Any real or personal property that has been placed upon the Assessment Roll as of January 1 of the assessment year in which …


    Assessor - March 30, 2018, 9:36 a.m.


  3. Screening for a Public Defender

    Defendants may opt to complete the screening process via phone. They can call 360-736-9301 to initiate the screening process remotely.Defendants also have the option to complete the screening form online, the form is attached below. Once completed it can be emailed to public.defense@lewiscountywa.gov or mailed to Public Defense Services 351 NW N Street, Chehalis, WA 98532.Indigency Screening FormFormulario de evaluación de indigencia2026 Poverty Guidelines Screening Instructions Indigency Guidelines Indigency Screening Instructions1. Please download (fillable PDF) or print the screening form.2. Complete top section with contact information, charge, and case number.3. If you are on any type of state assistance, please …


    Public Defense - April 15, 2025, 1:52 p.m.


  4. Accreditation

    On 04/10/12 the Lewis County Coroner’s Office was awarded accreditation through the International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME). This process began in 2011 and culminated with the inspection process on 04/10/12. We are now one of only five coroner’s offices in Washington State to have received accreditation through this association.The IAC&ME has established a set of accreditation standards and these encompass administration, facilities, forensics and investigative for a total of 130 standards. Applying for accreditation means to voluntarily open your office facilities as well as your policies and procedures for examination by a team of auditors to see …


    Coroner - Sept. 28, 2012, 4:13 p.m.


  5. ADA and Reasonable Accommodation

    Purpose:To serve Lewis County residents, and for continuing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County strives to eliminate any barriers that may prevent access to County facilities and services.Request for reasonable accommodation:Any person with a disability who is applying for employment, a current employee, or an individual wanting to participate in a County sponsored program or activity, or their representative, may make a request for reasonable accommodation. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application and/or selection process should contact Human Resources at (360)740-2737 or (360) 740-1480 TTY or visit us in the Human Resources and Risk …


    Human Resources - May 21, 2012, 3:27 p.m.


  6. Knotweed

    Fallopia x bohemica, Fallopia japonica, & Fallopia sachalinensis Bohemian knotweed is the hybridization of Giant and Japanese knotweeds. They vary slightly in the size and shapes of their leaves and flowers but otherwise look and behave very similarly.Knotweed - Clumping and spreading perennial hollow zig-zagging stems and long creeping rhizomes.Leaves: Large leaves are alternate, leathery, and oval. The base is slightly indented to deeply heart-shaped and leaf midveins have hairs.Flowers: Flower clusters commonly made up of male flowers and located at stem and branch tips. Clusters are around 8 to 13 ¾ inches long. Sepals are white to pinkish white …


    Weed Control - Sept. 13, 2022, 3:38 p.m.


  7. Cerifications

    As of December 2025, three of the Lewis County Coroner's Office staff members are nationally registered Medicolegal Death Investigators through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). To become ABMDI registered, there are three criteria:Have 650 hours of death investigation experience and be employed in a Coroner/Medical Examiner OfficeDemonstrate competency in 300 tasks involving death investigationPass a four hour comprehensive examination with at least an 80%.The certification period is for five years during which continuing education (CE) hours are required to be re-certified. These CE hours can be earned by attending conferences and taking courses both in person and …


    Coroner - March 27, 2013, 12:58 p.m.


  8. Knapweeds (Spotted, Diffuse, and Meadow)

    Centaurea spp. (stoebe, diffusa, and x moncktonii) Spotted Knapweed Rosette Spotted Knapweed Diffuse Knapweed Rosette Diffuse Knapweed Meadow Knapweed Meadow Knapweed rosette Spotted Knapweed - A biennial or perennial that typically grows about 5 feet tall and has a stout taproot. Is hairy with a rough and woolly appearance. First year rosettes and second year flowering stems.Leaves: Rosette leaves deeply lobed, upper leaves are generally un-lobed.Flowers: Flowers bloom from June-October. Solitary flowerheads. Egg-shaped plant scales (bracts) with a black/brown triangular tip that make the plant look spotted.Diffuse Knapweed - An annual, biennial, or perennial plant growing up to around 3 …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 9:48 a.m.


  9. Facilities

    Facilities Director: Alex MurrayPhone: (360) 740-1192The Facilities Department is responsible for maintaining over 3,000,000 square feet of county-owned and leased buildings and grounds. This includes providing cleaning and sanitation services, as well as centralized mail services throughout Lewis County. The area of operation for the Facilities Division extends from Adna in the west to Packwood in the east, and from Toledo in the south to the county line in the north. Additionally, the Facilities Department is tasked with designing, planning, and managing capital projects. This involves overseeing architectural and engineering services, ensuring that building projects are carried out efficiently, meet …


    Sept. 24, 2025, 10:11 a.m.


  10. Veterans Relief Fund

    The Veterans Advisory Board is held the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 am in the Lower Level BOCC Room of the Lewis County Historic Courthouse. This is an open meeting and the public is welcome. Veterans' Relief Fund Veterans or spouses of veterans may be eligible for assistance through the Veterans Relief Fund. Possible help includes:Funeral ExpensesUtilitiesRent/HousingEmergency Medical ExpensesFood VouchersGas VouchersQualifying applicants may receive:Funeral assistance up to $1,000Rent/Housing assistance up to $1,000 or 75% of rent, whichever is lowerUp to $500 (no money is given to the applicant) in assistance for categories other than funeral expenses or housing.To …


    Public Health - March 21, 2016, 10:30 a.m.