Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Council / Manager form of government?
A. Under this form of government the elected officials are the community leaders and policy makers who establish a vision for the city and appoint a city manager to carry out policy and ensure that all residents are being equitably served. The council-manager form of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials (in the form of a council, board, or other governing body) with the strong professional experience of an appointed local government administrator.

Under the council-manager form, power is concentrated in the elected council, which hires a professional administrator to implement its policies. This city manager serves at the pleasure of the council as chief executive officer of the City and has responsibility for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations, hiring and firing personnel, and serving as the council's chief policy advisor.

Q. When did the City of Ridgefield adopt a Council / Manager form of government?
A. The citizens of Ridgefield adopted the council-manager form of government in 1999 via a public vote.

Q. What does a City Manager do?
A. The City Manager develops and maintains an effective management team to implement the performance goals and policies set by the City Council. The City Manager recommends to the City Council such measures or action, which appear necessary and desirable, and performs other activities required by law or designated by the City Council.

Q. Who should I speak to regarding a concern I have with the City?
A. The City of Ridgefield operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of the City. Each department is headed by a director, appointed by the City Manager, who oversees the functions of the department under the direct supervision of the City Manager. Once the concern is identified, you should discuss the matter with that particular Department Director. If the matter is not resolved at that level, you should contact the City Manager.

Q. How can I get involved with the City?
A. Please contact the City Manager and let him/her know that you would like to be involved with the City and what your interests are. The City Manager will let you know what applicable positions/activities are available based upon your interests and the steps to take to become an active part of your City government.

Q. When, where and what time are City Council meetings?
A. City Council meetings are established by ordinance and are currently at the Ridgefield Community Center, located at 210 N Main Avenue. The regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, January through October and on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the months of November and December. Special meetings are noticed at least 24 hours in advance.

Q. Can I have the City Council agendas sent to me?
A. You may request to be signed up to be placed on the agenda distribution list by contacting City Hall at cityofridgefield@ci.ridgefield.wa.us. City Council agendas are available on the website also on the City Council page.

Q. What does a City Council do?
A. The elected officials are the community leaders and policy makers who establish a vision for the city and then appoint a city manager to carry out public policy and ensure that all residents are being well served. The council-manager form of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials (in the form of a council, board, or other governing body) with the strong professional experience of an appointed local government manager.

Q. Who do I speak to regarding concerns I have with the City?
A. Please direct all questions or concerns to the Department Director responsible for the matter. If the issue is not addressed by the Department Director, please contact the City Manager.

Q. Who do I call with questions regarding land use or planning?
A. Please call (360) 887-3908 or complete the Inquiry Form located in the Forms & Documents section and return it by email to julie.basarab@ci.ridgefield.wa.us or by fax to (360) 887-0861.

Q. Who do I call with questions regarding building permits?
A. Please call (360) 887-3557.

Q. Who do I call to obtain or have a question regarding a building inspection?
A. Please call (360) 887-8610.

Q. Who do I call about concerns that codes not being followed?
A. Please call (360) 887-3908 and speak with the Community Development Director.

Q. What form of payment does the City accept?
A. The City accepts cash, checks or money orders. Utility payments may also be made by Automatic Direct payment, please contact the Utility Clerk to arrange to have the invoiced amount charged to your account. Utility payments may also be made with a debit or credit card via the website. Please see the Quick Links to access the "Official Payments" site. You will need your Book Number and Account Number shown on your bill to be able to process the payment. The PIN number will be the same as your account number. Official Payments charges a convenience fee for processing the payment.

Q. Who do I call if I have a general question about the Finance Department or any of the financial reports of the City?
A. Please contact the Finance Division Director at (360) 887-3557.

Q. How can I obtain a copy of the City of Ridgefield's Budget?
A. You may view the budget on our website or at City Hall. To obtain a copy from City Hall, photocopy charges consistent with the City's Master Fee Schedule shall apply.

Q. Who do I call if I have a question regarding an invoice from the City of Ridgefield?
A. Please contact the Finance Division at (360) 887-3557 for questions.

Q: When are City Council agenda's available for upcoming meetings?
A: Agenda's are available on the Friday before the upcoming regular meeting and at least 24 hours prior to special meetings.

Q: Where are City Council agenda's available?
A: Agenda's are available at City Hall, on the website, at the meeting or you may sign up to have the agenda sent to you via email. Please contact City Hall at (360) 887-3557 or kay.kammer@ci.ridgefield.wa.us to sign up for the email notice.

Q: When are City Council meeting minutes published?
A: Minutes are published after Council has approved them.

Q: How do I request a public record?
A: Complete the Public Records Request form, found on the Forms & Documents page and return it to:

Fax: (360) 887-0861

Mail: City Hall, City Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 608
Ridgefield, WA 98642

In person: City Hall, 230 Pioneer Street

Email: cityofridgefield@ci.ridgefield.wa.us

Q: Where can I purchase a burial plot for the Ridgefield Cemetery?
A: Plots may be purchased at City Hall and Staff can assist with the location of your choice to see what plots may be available. Please refer to the Master Fee Schedule on the Forms & Documents page for the applicable fee.

Q: Do I need a business license in the City of Ridgefield?
A: Please refer to Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code for business license requirements and contact Community Development Department at (360) 887-3908 for other requirements that may be needed.

Q. Where can I find out about employment opportunities with the City of Ridgefield?
A. Please refer to the employment opportunities page. Applications may be obtained through the Forms & Documents section of the website or at City Hall.

Q: Does the City of Ridgefield require an alarm permit?
A: No. You do not need an alarm permit within the city limits.

Q: Does the police department enforce the conditions of the neighborhood Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs)?
A: No. Unless the condition is addressed in a specific city ordinance or state law, the conditions of a CC&R are enforced by a neighborhood association. It is the responsibility of a neighborhood to form an association.

Q: Is my dog required to be licensed within the city?
A: Yes. Dog six (6) months or older must be registered with the City. Licenses may be obtained at Police Department for $5.00. When you license your dog, you provide the city with a current record of your dog and your information as the owner. This helps us if your dog is found wandering. The police department does not have a facility to house stray animals so they are transported to the humane society. In addition to your information, we are asking for a recent photo of your dog to help with quicker identification and placement back home. The penalty for not licensing your dog is $125.00.

Q: Is my bicycle required to be registered within the city?
A: No. While it is not required, we strongly encourage you to stop by the police department and obtain a registration form and bicycle sticker. This information can assist us when a bicycle is found or recovered in a crime.

Q: I received an infraction/citation; do I go to the Ridgefield Police Department to dispute it?
A: No. The police department contracts with the Battle Ground Municipal Court to provide our court services. You would follow the directions found on the back of the copy you received. Questions can be answered by calling 342-5150.

Q: I am going on vacation; will the police department check my home while I am gone?
A: If you fill out a Vacation Check Form, found on this website or at our office, we will do daily checks of your residence. We do not go in the house; it is a check of the premises.

Q: Can I fire a firearm within the city limits?
A: No type of firearm is allowed to be fired within the city limits to include a bb gun.

Q: I was a victim of identity theft recently. Would I need to file a report with the Ridgefield Police Department?
A: If you live within the city limits, and even if the theft from your account occurred in another jurisdiction, it is advisable to file a report. Often your insurance company and/or your financial institution will recommend you file a report in your local jurisdiction.

Q; I had property seized or taken for safekeeping and I can now get it back; where do I go to get it back?
A: The police department contracts with the Clark County Sheriff's Department for evidence and property. You would need to make an appointment to obtain your property by calling 397-2059, ext. 3.

Q: What is the non-emergency phone number for the Ridgefield Police Department?
A: To contact the department Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, the phone number is 887-3556 (or leave a message any time at that number). At any time that you need an officer, you should call 911.

Q: Where is the Ridgefield Police Department located?
A: The police department is located at 116 North Main, directly across from the Old Liberty Theatre.

Q; When can I have my fingerprints taken and what is the cost?
A: Fingerprints are taken by appointment only. Please call the office during normal business hours, 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday to make an appointment. The cost is $5.00 per card.

Q: How can I get a copy of police report and what are the fees?
A: There is a "Public Request for Records" form available at the front window. By law, some information within police reports may be confidential or not for disclosure. Each request will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and responded in a timely manner. The fee for copies of police reports is 15 cents per page. The current fee for copies of police accident reports is $5.00. (Copies of a collision report from the Washington State Patrol can be found at http://www.wa.gov)

Q: When do I need to file a traffic accident report myself?
A: If you are involved in a vehicle accident and the police investigate it, you do not need to file a report. If you are involved in an accident and the police do not investigate it and the damage is more than $700 to either vehicle or there are any injuries, you must complete a Washington State Vehicle Collision Report, which can be found inside our lobby.

Q: How do I apply for a Concealed Weapons Permit?
A; You must live within the city limits. Forms to be filled out are available 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The fees are $60.00 for an original application and $32.00 for renewal.

Q: Can children ride in the back of a pickup?
A: Yes, provided there are no seats available in the cab of the pickup. If adults are occupying the passenger seats, they are required to ride in back so children can ride up front with a seat belt.

Q; Can I be issued a ticket for no seat belt if a person in my car is over 16?
A: No. The driver of a vehicle is only responsible for ensuring all persons 15 and under are properly secured in a seat belt or other safety restraint device as required by law. All persons age 16 and over may be issued a separate ticket. More seat belt and child restraint information can be found at www.800bucklup.org.

Q: What is the definition of a motorized scooter which is legal to use in Washington State?
A: Some types of motorized scooters may not be legal for the road. Information defining what is legal can be found at www.wsp.wa.gov/newsfaqs/faqs.htm.

Q; Will I get pulled over for driving while texting or talking on a hand held device?
A: No. These offenses are classified as secondary offenses, meaning law enforcement can take enforcement action if there has been another violation of law such as speeding, which is considered a primary offense. The law requiring hands-free devices goes into effect on July 1, 2008, and the law prohibiting text messaging is effective January 1, 2008.

Q: What utilities does the City of Ridgefield provide?
A: The City provides water, sewer and stormwater utilities.

Q: What is the billing cycle for Utilities?
A: The billing cycle is bimonthly for utilities. The bills are sent on the first of the month in February, April, June, August, October and December. Payments are due on the last business day of the month in which the bills are sent.

Q: Who do I call if I have questions regarding my utility bill?
A: Please contact the Utility Clerk at (360) 887-3557.

Q: What form of payment does the City accept for my utility bill?
A: The City accepts cash, check or money order. Utility payments may also be made by Automatic Direct payment. Please contact the Utility Clerk to arrange to have the invoiced amount debited to your account. Utility payments may also be made with a debit or credit card via the City's website. Please see the Quick Links to access the "Official Payments" site. You will need to have the Book Number and Account Number to be able to process the payment. The PIN number is the same as the account number. Official Payments charges a convenience fee for processing the payment.

Q: What is a Cross Connection and why am I required to install a Backflow Assembly Device?
A: Please click on the following links for information regarding protection of public drinking water and backflow assembly device requirements:

- Protecting your drinking water from contamination
- Cross Connection Health Hazards
- Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems and Backflow Prevention
- Lawn Irrigation Systems and Backflow Prevention

Q: How can I conserve water?
A: Please click on the following links for information regarding water conservation:

- How to conserve water indoors in your bathroom, kitchen and laundry
- How to conserve water outdoors for lawn, garden, and cleaning walkways & driveways
- Guidelines for lawn watering and conservation
- Meter reading and leak detection and repair
- Indoor water audit guidelines and worksheet