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. Policeman's Helmet

    Impatiens glandulifera Policeman's Helmet - An herbaceous annual that is smooth and hairless. It can range from 3 - 10 feet tall.Leaves: Usually 3 leaves per node and are usually alternate, opposite, or whorled. Leaf shape is oblong to ovate to elliptic. About 6 inches long and sharply toothed margins.Flowers: Flowers bloom from July to September. Irregular flowers that are shaped similar to a British policeman's helmet. Color ranges from white to many shades of pink. Flowers have 5 petals (2 fused), 3 sepals (2 fused), and 5 stamens.Habitat: Partially shade tolerant. Found in lowland, riparian habitats such as moist …


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

  3. Utility Services

    The Utility Services Division is responsible for establishing, operating, and maintaining public systems for the supply, treatment, and distribution of water and for the collection and treatment of wastewater and stormwater. The Utility division coordinates closely with the Engineering Services' surface water engineer. Currently, Utility Services manages and operates the Vader - Enchanted Valley Water System and the Middle Fork Water Sewer System.Ordinance No. 1265 - Repealing and Replacing LCC Title 13, Public Utilities - Adopted on Feb. 22 , 2016Utility Fee & Rate Schedule approved by Resolution No. 19-289 Vader - Enchanted Valley Water System: Vader-Enchanted Valley Water System …


    Public Works - Feb. 26, 2016, 10:43 a.m.

  4. Deputy Coroners

    The Lewis County Coroner's Office employs Deputy Coroners who respond to locations where deaths have occurred in order to conduct medicolegal death investigations. Deputy Coroners are not law enforcement personnel but do work very closely in conducting investigations with all of the law enforcement agencies in the county. The Lewis County Coroner's Office currently has The Elected Coroner, Chief Deputy Coroner, one full-time Deputy Coroner, one part-time Deputy Coroner, and six on-call Deputy Coroners. The on-call Deputy Coroner position is classified as "extra help" and they work from home on call. When they receive a call they respond to the …


    Coroner - April 7, 2014, 3:17 p.m.

  5. Open Space Act

    RCW 84.34Land owners who wish current use assessment for property tax purposes on lands eligible for classification under the Open Space program, must submit an application to the Lewis County Assessor's Office by December 31st. Applications taken in the calendar year prior to December 31st are inspected in the next year and either approved or denied. If the application is approved, it is taxed in the subsequent year. It takes two years after application for it to affect your taxes.Provided that acreage is being used as originally intended, valuation of land for tax purposes under the Open Space Act is …


    Assessor - Dec. 11, 2015, 9:57 a.m.

  6. Marriage Licensing

    Marriage license applications can be completed Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.The cost of a marriage license may vary from county to county. In Lewis County the fee is $172.00, payable by cash or check only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted. Marriage licenses must be applied for at least three (3) days prior to the marriage and are valid for 60 days anywhere within the state of Washington. Failure to use the marriage license within 60 days will invalidate the license.To apply for a marriage license, each party must be at least 18 years old and have picture …


    Auditor - Oct. 9, 2015, 8:02 a.m.

  7. Cannabis Code Update

    Background Lewis County is seeking sustainable funding to help support essential local services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community programs. Cannabis sales currently are permitted in our surrounding counties and in most of the cities located in Lewis County. Between July 2023 and June 2024, cannabis sales in those cities totaled roughly $9 million. While the state collects a 37% excise tax on those sales, local jurisdictions that permit retail locations receive a dedicated portion of shared state tax revenue. Allowing retail locations in unincorporated Lewis County—such as in Packwood and the I5/Highway 12 interchange—could provide a modest but ongoing …


    Community Development - March 4, 2026, 1:20 p.m.

  8. Personal Property

    Personal Property Personal property's primary characteristic is its mobility. It includes machinery, equipment and furniture associated with commercial, industrial or agricultural enterprises. Business inventories are exempt from property tax.Everyone who uses personal property in a business must complete a personal property affidavit by April 30 each year per RCW 84.40.185, RCW 84.40.190, and WAC 458-12-060. The affidavit must list the taxable property by category, as well as its cost and acquisition date. The assessor uses the affidavit to value personal property for taxes due the following year. Personal property tax rates are the same as for real property.Can I file …


    Assessor - March 28, 2018, 11:52 a.m.

  9. Tree of Heaven

    Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven - A deciduous tree growing up to 60 feet tall. Plant parts may be identified by a distinctive peanut butter/popcorn smell.Leaves: Leaves are compound and alternate, and each leaf has anywhere from 10-27 leaflets usually. Leaflets are mostly smooth-edged, except for a few rounded teeth and a visibly large gland on the underside, towards the base of the leaf.Flowers: Flowers bloom from May-July. Trees will either have male or female flower clusters at the tips of the stems with the male flowers being larger. Flowers are light green-yellow in color.Habitat: Commonly found near forest edges, …


    Weed Control - Oct. 6, 2022, 9:32 a.m.

  10. Recording Requirements

    This information is intended to give a general idea of the requirements for recording documents. It may vary depending on the document. Please call (360) 740-1165 for further information.Effective January 1, 1997, the first page of all documents presented for recording must include:A three inch margin at the top and a one-inch margin on the sides and bottomA return addressThe title of the instrument (i.e. : Deed of Trust)The reference number of documents assigned or released (if applicable)Name(s) of Grantor and GranteeAbbreviated legal description with Lot, Block, and Plat or Section, Township and RangeAssessor's tax parcel numberIf your document does …


    Auditor - June 30, 2011, 4:37 p.m.