FAQs

If you choose not to complete the required annual testing, the City of Woodland can opt to terminate the connection between the city water supply and the facility or residence. If the connection is terminated, the city will charge a reconnection fee for subsequent connection.

Your backflow assembly is a mechanical device with moving parts that can break just like your car can break down. The State of Washington has determined that annual testing is most appropriate as stated in WAC 246-290.

The City has easement records only for City-owned property.  Please contact the the county records office if you need information about an easement.

A permit and the inspection after the work is complete help ensure public safety.  Work performed without a permit may incur penalties, or it may cause problems or delays when the property is sold.

Property owners and contractors licensed in the State of Washington can apply for a permit.  We also accept permit applications from tenants, architects, and permit services, but the property owner's signature is  required on these applications. 

Please note:  the property owner's signature is always required on an application for a sign permit , even when the applicant is a contractor.

All fire services in the City of Woodland are contracted through Clark Cowlitz Fire Rescue.  This includes permits and inspections for fire alarms, fire sprinklers and fire suppression systems.

Note:  We require a fire and life safety review for all multi-residential, commercial and industrial projects.  We cannot issue permits for these projects without CCFR approval.  Please submit your plans directly to CCFR.  The City building plan review and the fire review can be done simultaneously to minimize delay.

It depends on the type of permit.  Once all the required documentation is submitted, here is the review timeline you can expect.

Fence or re-roof permit:  2-3 working days

Stand-alone mechanical and/or plumbing permit:  2-4 working days; please allow up to two weeks if a floodplain review is required

Residential new construction or accessory dwelling unit (ADU):  2-3 weeks

Commercial new construction:  4-6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project

Residential addition or remodel:  1-3 weeks, depending on the extent of the work

Commercial addition, remodel or tenant improvement:  3-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project

Demolition:  2-4 working days after receipt of the SWCAA paperwork, if applicable

Accessory structure (residential):  1-2 weeks

Fill and grade, excavation:  2-4 weeks

Commercial coach or manufactured home placement:  1-2 weeks

Decks / ramps / stairs:  1-2 weeks

Siding / door / window replacement:  2-4 days 

The permit technician will contact you by email or by phone to let you know that your permit is ready to be issued.  The email will include the fee amount due and detailed payment options (cash, check, debit or credit card).

Permit fees cannot be accepted until the application is approved.  For new construction and larger projects (fair market value of $50,000 or more), a fee deposit is required prior to plan review.  Once the initial application processing is complete, you will be notified of the amount required.  The deposit will be applied to the plan review fee at the time the permit fees are assessed.

All building permit types are valid for 180 days (about six months) after the date of issue (the date payment was received for the permit).  Each successfully passed progress inspection resets the expiration "clock" for another 180 days from the date of that inspection.  A permit will remain in effect as long as progress is being made on the project.

If your permit expired recently (within the last 30 days or so), you may request a reinstatement of your permit by paying the permit fees again.

If your permit expired more than a month ago, please submit a new application.  If it is a large project, we will accept an adjusted valuation based on the amount of work which has not yet been completed. 

A final inspection is required for all building permit types (grading, mechanical, plumbing, re-roof, demolition, etc.).  Progress inspections are also required on most larger projects, such as new construction, tenant improvements or remodels.  Please contact the permit technician if you need additional information.

Inspections are included in the permit fees.  There is no additional charge unless you call the inspector out on a day he is not scheduled to be in town (Tuesday or Thursday).

Yes, you will need to attach a copy of Certificate of Insurance with your special event application. 

Yes, it is possible that your utility bill can be the same as other billings. Water usage is what drives the bill up or down or to be the same. The more water that is used, the higher the bill will be. The less water you use, the lower your bill will be. For example, if your household only does laundry twice a week, takes showers once a day, and runs the dishwasher two times a week, then your bill can be the same because you are using the same amount of water each month. Now lets say your household next month is watering the lawn or garden. This is extra water your household is using, therefore your utility bill will increase. It is common to see utility bills to be the same amount in the winter time than in the summer time because less watering activities are taking place outside in the winter, such as water lawns and gardens. 

So, how are you using water? 

As soon as you suspect that you may have a leak, start checking for it. Use our tips from our "Leaks" page to detect what may be going on. If you still can't detect something you may want to call a plumber to assist. Once a leak has been found and fixed, complete a Leak Adjustment Form, available in our office, attach all receipts pertaining to the leak and submit it to our office. The Utilities Clerk will go back to the last year's billings and adjust your bill to reflect your average yearly usage. This can only be done once per year. Keep in mind that the quicker you repair a leak and let us know, the quicker we can process an adjustment if applicable, and customers are still responsible for their charges until the adjustment is approved and processed. Please call our office for any questions.

Waste collection and curbside recycling services are uninterrupted during holidays, except for Christmas and New Years Day.  If your pick-up day falls on Christmas or New Years Day, then your garbage and recycling will be collected the following day for the remainder of the week. A good rule of thumb would be, "if in doubt, put your garbage out.

If your recycling or garbage container is damaged or missing, please complete our online reporting form or contact the city during regular business hours. You will be asked to place your container where a Waste Control employee can see it. Waste Control will do their best to repair or replace as soon as possible.