Beginning May 1, the Lewis County Department of Community Development will open an East County Permit Center at the Public Works Kiona Road Shop, 8911 U.S. Highway 12 in Randle.
The effort is a trial run to determine whether an office in East Lewis County will receive enough customer interest to remain open throughout the summer, according to a news release from the county.
The East County Permit Center will be staffed by one permit technician and one planner on Fridays only from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 1 through June 26. Services will include assisting customers with setting up their SmartGov accounts and submitting permit applications, accepting credit card or check payments, and answering general questions about development regulations and permit processes.
Cash payments will not be accepted at the East County Permit Center.
“We are excited to try out this new service for East County residents and contractors. It can take up to 1 and a half hours to drive from Packwood to the main office in Chehalis and an office in Randle should save people a lot of time,” said Mindy Brooks, Lewis County’s director of community development. “We hope many people will use this opportunity. If it is popular, we will keep it open through the summer.”
The primary Permit Center is located at 125 NW Chehalis Ave., and the full suite of services will continue without disruption. Earlier this year, Community Development began offering online permitting.
“SmartGov has significantly improved efficiency for our customers,” Brooks said in the release. “Coming into the Permit Center to apply for permits is no longer necessary, but we know many customers need or want assistance from staff. We will continue to provide that customer service at both the primary Permit Center in Chehalis and the East County Permit Center in Randle.”
For more information, contact Brooks at mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov or 360-740-2610.
