Show All Answers

1. What is the Citizens’ Academy?

The Centralia Police Department's Citizens' Academy was implemented in 1997 to promote positive relations between police and the community. The objective is to provide citizens with the opportunity to get an inside look at how your local police department operates.

The selected academy attendees meet for three hours each Monday evening for 8 consecutive weeks and 2 Saturday activities. You will learn more about various operations of the department as well as the challenges that law enforcement face in today's society. Officers and civilian personnel present on their specific areas of expertise.

Through education, hands on experience and interaction with Officers, the goal is to create a foundation of responsible well-informed individuals who have the potential of influencing public opinions about police practices. Academy participants will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement today. They will have the opportunity to offer comments, ideas and solutions to problems that we all share within the community.

2. Who may attend the academy?

Participants are selected from applicants who live in and around our community. We aim to have a well-rounded cross-section of our residents who have an interest in the police department from youth to elderly; men and women; as well as representatives from civic organizations and other professions. Selected applicants do not have to live in Centralia, but must be 18 years of age and pass a background check. We limit the academy to 30 attendees to ensure a beneficial experience.

3. What topics will be covered?

Some of the topics the academy will include:

• Community Policing
• Criminal investigations
• Drug enforcement
• My worst/best day as a Cop
• Observer ride along with an officer
• Officer selection and training
• Overview of crime in our area
• Police equipment and cost
• SWAT operations
• The dangers of the traffic stop
• Tour Centralia Police Department, Lewis County Jail and 911 Dispatch Center
• What does a criminal look like
• The history of the Centralia PD

4. What happens after completing the program?

Upon completion, graduates of the Citizens' Academy will receive a certificate signed by the Chief of Police. Many Citizens' Academy graduates go on to help the Centralia Police Department as volunteers. Some volunteers help with office work and special events. The Centralia Police Department's community outreach events include:

• A Night Out With Santa
• Lewis County Special Olympics Torch Run
• National Night Out Against Crime
• Summerfest
• The SW Washington Fair

Other Academy graduates may be interested in specialized police work with the Reserve Unit or the Block Watch Program.

5. How do I apply for the Citizens’ Academy?

Download the Citizens' Academy Application (PDF). Applications may also be obtained at the Centralia Police Department between 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Questions? Call 360-330-7680.

Show All Answers

1. Do I need a business license?

Anyone conducting business within the city limits of Centralia is required to obtain a business license, with a few exemptions. Please refer to Centralia Municipal Code 5.01 and the City Clerk page for more information.

2. Is door to door sales permitted in Centralia?

Yes, it is allowed under the temporary license section of the Centralia Municipal Code, Chapter 5.01.080.

3. Do I need a permit for a garage sale?

No, as long as you do not have more than two garage sales per year and do not exceed more than 8 days between the two sales. Please refer to Centralia Municipal Code 5.01.100 for more information.

4. How do I get my business listed on the Small Works Roster?

You may submit to have your business listed on the Small Works Roster online.

Show All Answers

1. How do I report a street light out?

You can send street light outage information directly to Public Works by filling out this form or you may call Public Works at 360-330-7512.

2. How do I request special consideration for being dependent on electricity for medical reasons?

If you are a Centralia City Light customer and dependant on electricity for medical reasons, the city encourages you to complete a “Special Considerations Request” form. Once your request is approved, City Light will use reasonable care and caution to contact you and recognize your special consideration needs prior to scheduled power interruptions. You can obtain this form by calling City Light at 360-330-7512.

3. How do I read my electric meter?

Please call Centralia City Light at phone 360-330-7512 for assistance in reading your meter.

4. What is net metering?

For customers who generate their own electricity, net metering measures the difference between the amount of electricity you buy from the City of Centralia and the amount of electricity you produce using your own generation system.

5. Who do I call for utilities?

Following completion of an application at 1100 North Tower Avenue, utility information on availability and cost of hookup for water and sewer will be provided by the Public Works Department. For electricity, contact City Light at phone 360-330-7512 or at 1100 North Tower Avenue to complete an application.

Show All Answers

1. Can I own livestock (i.e., chickens, ducks, geese, cows, horses, goats, pigs) when I live in the city?

The ability to own livestock depends on the zoning of your property. Call Community Development for more information at phone: 360-330-7662.

Show All Answers

1. Does Centralia require pets to be licensed?

Yes, dogs residing inside the city limits of Centralia are required to have a license. Please refer to Centralia Municipal Code 7.06 or the Police Department's page for more information.

2. Does Centralia have a leash law?

Yes, per the Centralia Municipal Code it is unlawful for any owner or keeper of any dog to allow it to be at large. Please refer to Chapter 7.15 Centralia Municipal Code for more information.

3. How do I renew or purchase a dog tag/license?

Learn more information on how to renew or purchase a dog tag/license.

Show All Answers

1. How do I apply for a job with the City?

Job Opportunities are available here.

2. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

You can see the current agendas for any upcoming City Council or Board meetings by clicking Agenda Center.

3. How to I make a Public Disclosure Request?

Court Records

Court Records must be requested directly from the Municipal Court. 
Click here to view the Court's Homepage.

Police Records

Records from the Police Department can be requested through their portal.
Click here for information about Police Records Requests

Other Public Records

For all other records, the City Clerk has been designated as the Public Records Officer for the City of Centralia and will serve as the point of contact for members of the public in requesting disclosure of a public record.
Click here for information on requesting public records.

Show All Answers

1. How do I find out about city jobs?

All City of Centralia Job Opportunities are posted at the Job Opportunities link.

Show All Answers

1. How do I get a copy of my criminal history?

Please contact the Washington State Patrol.

Show All Answers

1. How do I reserve a ballfield for practice?

View the Practice Field Use and Reservation Procedures (PDF). Also look at the field availability webpage.

2. Where do I sign up for tournament or recreation program?

Sign up for a tournament or creation program

3. Will the Pearl Street pool be open this summer?

View Pearl Street Pool information. Not for the summer of 2019. 

4. Where do I find an application?

View the application document (PDF).

5. Where do I find out about the City Parks and Park Facilities that can be rented?

View Parks and Facilities. 

6. Where do I find information about the Kitchen #1, 2, or the Train Depot multi-purpose room?

View Rent Park Facilities webpage. 

7. What is the Lewis County Sports Complex and NW Sports Hub (Event Center) ?

View Lewis County Sports Complex webpage.

8. What recreation programs does the city offer and how can I register for them?

View Register for Recreation Programs webpage. 

9. Is there a Borst Park Area Map showing where all of the facilities are located?

View Borst Park Area Map (PDF)

10. Are there maps of the City's Parks, trails, and sports fields?

View maps of the City's Parks, Trails, and Sports Fields webpage

11. What special parks and recreation events are held thought-out the year?

View parks and recreations events webpage.

12. What Boards and Commissions are available working with the City's Parks and Recreation?

View the Parks Advisory board webpage. 

13. What volunteer opportunities are available?

View the volunteer opportunities webpage.

14. How can I find out more the historic Borst Home and School and can I tour them?

View the Borst Home and School webpage.

15. Does the City have a parks and recreation master plan?

View the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PDF)

16. Is it true that the City partners with many different organizations for recreational programs?

View the Community Sponsored Sports and Enrichment webpage.

Show All Answers

1. How do I contact a police officer?

For non-emergency situations, call 360-740-1105 (Central Dispatch). They are available 24 hours every day. They can send a message to an on-duty officer to contact you.

During the weekday, business hours, you may call the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680.

2. How can I obtain a criminal history/background check on someone?

Criminal history checks go through the Washington State Patrol WATCH program. 

Contact the Washington State Patrol

3. Where can I find a current law or RCW?

• City of Centralia Municipal Codes
• State of Washington RCW

4. How do I contact the jail?

Centralia does not have a jail. Offenders are housed at Lewis County Jail in Chehalis call 360-748-9241.

Learn more about visitor's information

5. Where do I find a list of registered sex offenders?

Lewis County publishes a list of Level 3 sex offenders.

6. What is graffiti?

Graffiti, as defined by Municipal Code 10.45.030, is unlawful. Please refer to the Municipal Code for a list of fines.

Graffiti is not art, it's a form of vandalism and it's against the law. Please report any form of taggings to the Police Department.

7. What do I do about my neighbor's barking dog?

Persistent barking dogs, particularly between the hours of 10 pm and 8 am, or at any time and place as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort of owners or possessors of real property, is against the law. Contact Lewis County Dispatch at phone: 360-740-1105 to report the nuisance and an on-duty officer will contact you.

To learn more about this city code visit Centralia's Municipal Code - Noises 10.29.010.

8. Can I trap rodents and pests?

Trapping is unlawful. It is declared to be unlawful to trap fur-bearing animals, as classified by the Washington State Department of Wildlife and/or the Washington State Wildlife Commission, within the city. As used in this section, trap means a method of hunting using devices to capture wild animals.

For more information, visit the city's Title 10, Criminal Codes.

9. How do I submit a Trespass Letter of Consent?

Click here to get view the Trespass Letter of Consent Information page

Show All Answers

1. Why should I have to pay for Stormwater Management?

The Stormwater fee pays for the required stormwater management program. Each property owner in the City pays their fair share to plan, construct, maintain, test for pollutants, and operate the city-wide stormwater system. The stormwater drainage system includes curbs/gutters, underground pipes, swales, drainage right-of-ways, canals, retention ponds, lakes, and waterways. Everyone who lives in the City of Centralia benefits when the stormwater system is well managed. The entire system is constructed and maintained for the benefit of all Centralia residents. You may not have a problem on your property or in your neighborhood, but the runoff from your property and your neighbors' property contributes to the City's overall stormwater system.

2. How do I report a pot hole or other unsafe street condition?

Please call Public Works at 360-330-7512.

3. How do I get utilities for an existing home or commercial business?

Learn about adding utilities for homes and businesses on the Utility Customer Service Center page.

4. How do I get utilities for a new construction?

Visit the Public Works Applications and Permits page to learn how to add utilities for new construction. 

5. How do I read my water meter?

Please call Centralia Public Works at 360-330-7512 for assistance in reading your meter.

6. Can I have my water tested?

For information on water testing, contact the Water Quality Specialist by calling Public Works at 360-330-7512.

7. Who do I contact if I need to have the power to my house disconnected for electrical work being done inside the house?

Contact Centralia City Light or call 360-330-7512 and request that someone be scheduled to come to your house to disconnect the power. A City Light representative will disconnect the power to your electrical meter base.

Please note that any internal electrical work requiring this kind of disconnection will also require a Labor and Industries Permit. Do not disconnect power, remove the meter or meter seal yourself. If this is done by anyone other than a qualified City Light representative, the account owner will be billed for meter tampering. In addition, disconnecting power, removing a meter, and/or tampering with meter seals without proper training and protective equipment is dangerous and violates state law RCW 80.28.240 and CMC 13.04.165.

8. How do I obtain a right of way permit?

View the Right-of-Way Permit (PDF).

Show All Answers

1. Who organized the Choose Local First program?

The initial launch was a joint effort between the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team (CCRT), Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) and the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. As the program develops, the involvement of local businesses and organizations will be key to the success of the program.

2. How will supporting this program benefit my business?

Participating in the program will make a strong statement to local consumers about the benefits of shopping locally. Many businesses have felt the pinch of online and out-of-area competition. We need to become our own advocates and support our community by supporting local businesses here where we live.

3. How can I get involved?

Jumping on the bandwagon is simple! We would like to see our local businesses embrace the Choose Local First tagline in their own marketing materials and promotions. After all, this program was created as a method of supporting and growing our local businesses. Look for communication from the Chamber, CCRT and CDA as the next phases unfold. For now, help advertise and support the concepts and local promotions. Choose Local First is a life style decision, and we all need to bring awareness to this decision.

4. Where can I get more promotional materials and information?

Questions or requests for promotional material can be directed to the CCRT by email, to the CDA by their website, and to the Chamber by email.

5. Can I use the Choose Local First logo on my own advertising?

YES - that would be great! The more attention we can bring to this program, the more successful it will be. To get an electronic file of the logo in either color or black and white, please send an email with the file specifications for your advertising piece, and you will be sent the appropriate image.

Show All Answers

1. What is Safe Place?

Thank you for your interest in the Centralia Police Department's Safe Place initiative, is designed to assist the victims of hate/bias crime and to encourage reporting of those crimes.

In late 2018, the Centralia Police Department was contacted by a concerned community member who suggested we contact the Seattle Police Department regarding the Safe Place training. In mid-2019, the Centralia Police Department Command Staff met with the Safe Place creator, Jim Ritter, and quickly recognized the value that the Safe Place training and program would bring to our community.

Since that initial meeting, all Centralia Police Officers have gone through the Safe Place training. Additionally, the Centralia Police Department's Command Staff have met with community members about the training and is proud to sponsor the Centralia Police Department Safe Place to assist in making Centralia a safe place for all to live, visit, and work.

2. How can my business participate?

• Submit an Application
• Complete required CPD Safe Place Training
• Commit to the Safe Place principles
• CPD Safe Place liaison officer will deliver decals to your location.

3. What are my responsibilities?

Although the Safe Place Program is free and voluntary, it is important that you educate your staff regarding their responsibilities:

• If a crime victim enters your premise, your staff should call 911 immediately on the victim's behalf.
• Allow the victim to remain on your premise until police arrive.
• If the victim leaves prior to police arrival, re-contact 911 and update the operator with the victim's and/or suspect's description and direction of travel.
• As with any emergency situation, your staff should use due care and caution when providing the victims of crime safe shelter while being mindful of the safety of patrons, co-workers and compliance with company policy.

4. What if I need more decals or information?

Please contact Deputy Chief Stacy Denham for more information.

Show All Answers

1. How do I find out the balance on my utility account and the due date?

Contact the Customer Service Center located at 500 North Pearl or call 330-7657.

2. Where do I open a utility account (water, sewer, stormwater, electric)?

Contact the Customer Service Center located at 500 North Pearl or call 360-330-7657.

Show All Answers

1. If I pay my bill automatically, how will I know how much it is?

Your regular billing statement will be sent to you on the same schedule as it has in the past. Your bank will withdraw the appropriate funds from your account on the 25th of the month or the next business day.

2. Will there be a fee for signing up for automatic bill pay?

No. There is no charge for this service.

3. How will I be sure that my bill has been paid?

Each payment will be clearly identified on your statement that you receive from your bank, savings and loan or credit union.

4. What if I want to stop paying my bill automatically?

Just visit our Utilities Customer Service Center, or let us know in writing of your intent to terminate your automatic bill payment.