Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Building & Planning Page and review the Frequently Asked Questions.

Residents from around the county wanted it. The County Board of Commissions put the draft ordinance up for an advisory vote by the public and it overwhelmingly passed in November of 2015.  Residents are welcome to read the full Solid Waste Ordinance (PDF).

The incorporated Town of Cathlamet has zoning. Reference Title 19 Zoning Town of Cathlamet for more information. Use this link to access the Wahkiakum County GIS Map and click on the checkbox next to “Zoning for the Town of Cathlamet”, and the area for zoning will appear. If you click on a parcel a pop-up window will appear with display information about the parcel including “Zoning for the Town of Cathlamet”.

Cathlamet is the only incorporated town inside of Wahkiakum County. The rest of Wahkiakum County is unincorporated and does not have zoning. All projects must be approved by the Building and Planning Department.

Reference the Comprehensive Plan, Proposed Land Use is on page 78.

Reserve officers, by definition are other than full-time officers, and are not to be used in lieu of a certified Washington peace officers.

Some agencies do compensate reserve officers for the time they serve. Reserves are considered at will employees or paid volunteers and as such they are not entitled to certain benefits or retirement systems such as LEOFF II. Agencies have employed persons with reserve commissions, but compensated then as city or county employees in another capacity.

Yes, however that is up to the agency that accepts you as a reserve. There is currently no equivalency process for reserves, therefore exceptions to the training requirements must be submitted by the law enforcement agency and negotiated with the Commission.

Once you have been certified as a Reserve officer, your certificate stays current unless you have a break or interruption in service as a commissioned reserve for more than twelve months. A break in service of more than two years, or employment as a Reserve with a different agency will require the applicant to successfully complete the psychological and polygraph test.

No, not at this time.

Residents from around the county wanted it. The County Board of Commissions put the draft ordinance up for an advisory vote by the public and it overwhelmingly passed in November of 2015.  Residents are welcome to read the full Solid Waste Ordinance (PDF).

There is a possibility that you may receive an Notice of Violation, however all complaints will be verified first to ensure they are prohibited by this ordinance. If you are found to be out of compliance and the county has exhausted all other avenues and agreements, the county may abate the complaint at the property owners expense. For more information see the Informational Packet (PDF)

Essentially, solid waste, junk and/or junk vehicles.

• Junk: 
  • Automotive Tires
  • Equipment
  • Junk Vehicle(s)
  • Old Appliance(s)
  • Scrap Metal
  • Any Other Items Not Being Used for Their Intended Purpose

• Solid Waste, two or more cubic yards of material including, but not limited to:
  • Ashes
  • Demolition and construction wastes
  • Garbage
  • Industrial wastes
  • Junk vehicle parts
  • Junk vehicles
  • Sewage sludge
  • Swill

The minimum lot size is 1 acre if there will be a well and septic on the property.

If there will be a septic and public water, minimum lot size is 1/2 acre.

There is no zoning in the unincorporated areas of Wahkiakum County.