1. 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.

  2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What is a Public Record? A “Public Record” means any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by The County regardless of physical form or characteristics. Records created or received by employees using privately-owned devices only qualify as public record if the employee was acting within the scope of employment when the record was created or received, or when the record is subsequently used for a County purpose. How do I request records from Lewis County? Lewis County utilizes a web-based Records Center, Gov …


    Public Records - April 16, 2018, 3:38 p.m.

  3. SNAP-Ed

    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program that supports evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions and projects for persons eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through complementary direct education, multi-level interventions, and community and public health approaches to improve nutrition.SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based program that helps people lead healthier lives. SNAP-Ed teaches people using or eligible for SNAP about good nutrition and how to make their food dollars stretch further. SNAP-Ed participants also learn to be physically active.Please contact Lewis County's SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator, at 360-740-3327, with any questions about …


    Public Health - June 27, 2024, 10:58 a.m.

  4. Unpermitted Food Vendor

    What is an Unpermitted Food Vendor? Unpermitted food vendors are people who are selling food on a cart, table, back of the car trunk, via social media, or from their home without a permit to operate from the Lewis County Public Health & Social Services - Environmental Health Division. The Washington State Retail Food Code requires that all individuals who provide food to the public obtain a permit to operate.​​Unpermitted Food VendorsWhen you buy meals online, you gamble with your health and safety. Unpermitted food vendors typically use kitchens that have not been inspected and consumers don’t know if the …


    Environmental Health - Feb. 5, 2026, 2:54 p.m.

  5. Volunteer roundup: Law and Justice, Veterans, Solid Waste, Water Conservancy Board

    The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is looking for volunteers interested in filling vacancies on several of its boards and committees, including the following:Lewis County Law and Justice CouncilVeterans Advisory Board (VAB)Solid Waste Advisory BoardIndividuals interested in any of these positions should submit an application and a letter of interest in one of the following three ways:By mail at 351 N.W. North St., Chehalis, WA 98532.Via email at committees@lewiscountywa.gov (include the committee name in the subject).In person at the Commissioners’ Office in Room 210 of the Historic Courthouse at 351 N.W. North St. in Chehalis.To applyFor an application, …


    Commissioners - March 31, 2026, 5:13 p.m.

  6. Sheriff

    Sheriff Robert R. Snaza "PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL SERVICE"Welcome to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. Our vision at the LCSO is to be committed to excellence in being a trusted, respected, and professional public safety agency. Being a committed community partner, providing professional service to enhance the safety, security, and quality of life in Lewis County is our mission. The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce our partnership with Public Safety Testing for our entry-level Deputy and Corrections Deputy employment application and testing needs. Lateral applicants are encouraged to apply directly with the agency by contacting our Background …


    Sheriff - Jan. 23, 2019, 4:12 p.m.

  7. Other Yard Waste Options

    Leaf Exchange Events scheduled in NovemberThe WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteers will host two Leaf Exchange events this fall: Nov. 1 & Nov. 22, at the Floral Park Sustainability Project at the corner of South Tower Avenue and Floral Street in Centralia. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Bring your leaves in plastic lawn and leaf bags or garbage bags, and drop them off with volunteers during the event. The Leaf Exchange is being offered for free, but the MRC volunteers, who are putting on the program in partnership with the Lewis County Solid Waste …


    Solid Waste - Jan. 23, 2021, 9:22 a.m.

  8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Do I need a permit to replace my pump? No. Work that is conducted within the septic/pump tank does not require a permit generally. Examples of this type of work that do NOT require a permit includes cleaning, changing, or retrofitting your tank with an effluent filter, measuring sludge accumulation, pumping the septic tank/pump chamber, or cleaning of the back-flow prevention valve. If the tank needs to be replaced, this DOES require a permit for tank placement. How much does a septic permit cost? The permit application fees are available here (see "Fees" at the bottom of the page). Do …


    Environmental Health - March 21, 2016, 1:50 p.m.

  9. County seeks Public Defense attorneys for Superior, District and Juvenile Courts

    CHEHALIS, WA – The Lewis County Public Defense Office is currently accepting applications from qualified attorneys to provide public defense services for individuals who are financially unable to retain private counsel. Openings are available for Public Defenders and Conflict Attorneys in Lewis County Superior Court, District Court, and Juvenile Court.Lewis County Public Defense provides legal representation in felony and misdemeanor criminal, probation violation, and juvenile offender cases for individuals who meet the financial eligibility requirements under RCW 10.101. Attorneys appointed through this program play a vital role in ensuring the constitutional rights of indigent defendants are protected.Positions availablePublic Defenders: Represent …


    Public Defense - Aug. 25, 2025, 4:29 p.m.

  10. Data, Assessments, and Reports

    Our team works with residents, service providers, and others throughout our Lewis County to better understand health and social topics for our community. This information is used to support informed decision making about programs, services, policies, and procedures affecting Lewis County residents and can be used by our community to prioritize needs, generate resources,, make service or program changes, and implement policies to improve the health of the public.We collect information through assessments, surveys, and a variety of public and restricted data sources, ensuring that all information is accurate and complete. Data Sources We've put together a collection of publicly …


    Public Health - Jan. 26, 2015, 3:35 p.m.