FAQ


TO REPORT AN AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY WITH WATER, ELECTRIC OR SEWER please call South Sound 911 (253) 287-4455.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Where is Town Hall and when is it open?
Town Hall is located at 201 Center St W, Eatonville WA 98328. Operating hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-5:00PM, closed 12:00PM-12:30PM for lunch.

What services are available at Town Hall?
Utilities (including Water, Sewer, Electric, Garbage and Storm Water), Pet Licensing, Passport Application Acceptance, Building Permits, Inspections and Police.

Who are the Town’s elected officials?
Click here to meet the Mayor and Town Council Members.

When and where are Town Council Meetings held?
Town Council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Eatonville Community Center located at 305 Center St W, Eatonville WA 98328.  Meetings begin at 7:00 pm.  Please see our meeting schedule linked from the main page.

*Meetings that fall on a federal holiday may be delayed by one day or cancelled.

Do I need a Business License for the Town of Eatonville?
If you are operating a business or conducting business within the Town limits of Eatonville, you will need a Business License.  The Town of Eatonville is contracted with the Washington State Department of Licensing to provide business registration services.

Click here for more information.

How can I look at the Eatonville Municipal Code?
Click here to view the Eatonville Municipal Code (EMC).

Do I need a pet license and how much will it cost?
Cats and dogs over the age of 6 months must be licensed with the Town of Eatonville.  Licenses may be purchased at Town Hall.  Click here for a list of pet license fees.

For Animal Control information click here.

How do I apply for a passport?
For information about how to apply for a passport and the associated fees, please click here.

UTILITIES

What Utilities are provided by the Town of Eatonville?
The Town of Eatonville provides Electric, Water, Sewer, Garbage and Storm Water services.

Do I have to pay a deposit to establish service?
If you are renting, you will be required to pay a refundable utility deposit of $500.00.  The only way to waive this deposit is to have your landlord sign the Town’s official waiver.  Homeowners are not required to pay the deposit, but must provide a proof of purchase instead.

How do I get my utility deposit back?
When you move out, your final bill will be taken out of your deposit and any remaining balance will be mailed to you at your forwarding address.

When is my utility bill due?
Utility bills are due by the 25th of each month.  If your bill is not paid by the due date, a late fee of $15 will be applied to your account the following business day.  Shut-Off Day for a past due bill is the second Wednesday of the month following the due date.  You must pay your past due bill by 10:00 am on Shut-Off Day to avoid having your utilities disconnected for non-payment.

How can I pay my utility bill?
You can pay your bill at Town Hall, by mail, by phone or use the drop box located next to the front door.  Online bill pay is also available at www.xpressbillpay.com

Why does my bill seem so high?
The Town of Eatonville provides and bills for multiple services.  For example, your monthly bill from the Town may have charges for electricity, water, sewer, garbage and storm water – all together!  Of course, the charge for all of these services combined may be higher than the average bill for just electricity.  Please remember that the convenience of paying one monthly bill for all of your services means that the bill you pay will be equal to the amount of all of those individual bills added together.

When is my garbage, recycle and yard waste picked up?
This depends on which level of service you have signed up for.

Monthly garbage service is picked up the first Thursday of each month.
Weekly garbage service is picked up every Thursday.

Every other week service for even numbered houses is picked up on the same schedule as YARD WASTE – which is indicated by the yellow Thursdays on the schedule

Every other week service for odd numbered houses is picked up on the same schedule as RECYCLING – which is on the non-highlighted Thursdays on the schedule

You can also download the Lemay refuse app on your smartphone for a schedule specific to your home address.

When is my meter read?
Meter reading begins on the 15th of each month, or the closest business day to the 15th if it should fall on a weekend.

It takes about 6 business days for our meter reader to read each meter in the Town.

The billing date on your bill is the day the bill is printed, not the day the meter was read.  If you need to know your exact meter reading date, please contact Town Hall.

What do I do if my utilities have been shut off for non-payment?
You will need to contact Town Hall during normal business hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm

Closed 12:00pm-12:30pm for lunch

In order to be reconnected, you will need to pay your past due utility bill plus a service fee of $50.00.  After 4:00 pm, the service fee is $100.00.

** CALL 911 FOR ANY EMERGENCY ENDANGERING PERSONS OR PROPERTY

During normal business hours, please contact Town Hall if you have any problem with your water, electric or sewer service.

 POLICE DEPARTMENT

**FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911**

When should I call 911?
Call 911 when there is an emergency and a prompt response is needed.  Emergencies include life threatening situations or crimes in progress.  For example: a fight or assault in progress, a property fire or a medical problem that may be life threatening.

What information will I need to provide when I call 911?
You will need to provide the address/location of the emergency, what the problem is, why help is needed, your name and any other details the call-taker may ask for (such as license plate numbers and person or vehicle descriptions).

How do I contact the Eatonville Police Department?

For business related matters such as questions regarding concealed pistol licensing, fingerprinting services, or general questions, please contact the office by calling 360-832-6111 during normal business hours Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Our office does not operate dispatch services; therefore, you must contact 911 for emergencies and in-progress crimes and non-emergency dispatch for non-emergencies and crimes no longer in progress.

For non-emergencies or report a crime not in progress, please call the non-emergency line at (253) 287-4455, option 1.

What if I see an activity that seems suspicious, but I’m not sure it’s a crime?

We would rather that you report an activity you are not sure about, than have you not report it at all.  Suspicious activities should be reported at the time they are occurring whenever possible!

What if I get a traffic ticket?
For a parking violation or a speeding or traffic infraction, check the back or bottom of your ticket for instructions on how to proceed.  A phone number and/or address will be listed for the place you may pay or schedule a hearing for your ticket.  There is no Courthouse located in Eatonville.

Eatonville Municipal Court is outsourced to Bonney Lake Municipal Court. Questions regarding any materials listing “Eatonville Municipal Court” as the agency to contact should be addressed to:

Bonney Lake Municipal Court
9002 Main St E, Suite 100
Bonney Lake, WA  98391
Phone: 360-862-6606

www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us/court

How do I get a copy of a police report?
For a copy of a police report, you will need to submit your request to South Sound 911. For more information, visit www.southsound911.org/157/Public-Records-Requests.

Can I apply for a Concealed Pistol License in Eatonville?
***The Eatonville Police Department is NOT currently taking any appointments for Fingerprinting Services OR Concealed Pistol Licenses***
You must be at least 21 years of age and reside within the town limits of Eatonville. Having an Eatonville address does not necessarily mean that you live in the Town limits!  If you live outside the Town limits, in Unincorporated Pierce County, and would like to apply for a CPL, you will need to apply in person at:

South Sound 911
3580 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA  98418

www.southsound911.org/153/Concealed-Pistol-Licenses

The Eatonville Police Department is not permitted to accept CPL applications from residents of Unincorporated Pierce County per the law: RCW 9.41.070(13) (a) (b), “a person may apply for a concealed pistol license: (a) to a municipality or to the county in which the applicant resides if the applicant resides in a municipality; (b) to the county in which the applicant resides if the applicant resides in an unincorporated area.”

Where can I go to get fingerprinted?

  • ***The Eatonville Police Department is NOT currently taking any appointments for Fingerprinting Services OR Concealed Pistol Licenses***
  • South Sound 911 in Tacoma www.southsound911.org/155/Fingerprints

What is a Domestic Violence Order for Protection?
A Domestic Violence Order for Protection is a civil court order that you (the petitioner) request from the court to protect you from your abuser (the respondent).  You must be related to the respondent in one of the following ways:

• Husband, wife or partner (past or present)
• Father or mother of your children
• Adults related by blood or marriage
• Adults who currently live together or used to live together
• Parents and adult children including in-laws and stepfamilies

Where can I get a Domestic Violence Order for Protection?
You may file for a Domestic Violence Protection Order at the following Pierce County Locations:

• County-City Building                                    253-798-7455
• Sumner Police Department                           253-863-6384
• Bonney Lake Police Department                    253-863-2218
• Lakewood Police Department                        253-832-5000
• Crystal Judson Family Justice Center             253-798-4310
• YWCA Tacoma                                             253-272-4181

This order DOES NOT apply to strangers, co-workers, neighbors, etc. You may petition for an anti-harassment order to prohibit contact under these circumstances at the Pierce County District Court located at the County-City Building - 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma 98402.

 

WATER DEPARTMENT

Where does the Town of Eatonville get its drinking water?
The Town’s drinking water comes from the Mashel River and four groundwater wells.

Is the Town’s water safe to drink?
Yes! The Town’s drinking water meets or, in most cases, exceeds all Federal and State drinking water standards.

Is fluoride added to the drinking water?
No. The Town of Eatonville does not add fluoride to our water.

How does the Town treat our drinking water?
The water is run through membrane filtration, which removes 99.999% (5-Log Removal) of all pathogens. After filtration, a small amount of chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite) is added for final disinfection.  The Town also adds a small amount of soda ash to the water during treatment.  This raises the pH of the water and adds alkalinity, making it less corrosive to both our distribution pipes and your household plumbing.

Can I still get water when the power is out?
Yes! The Town’s water treatment system, pumping and storage all have backup generators to maintain water service during power outages.

How Can I Check For A Water Leak?
The easiest way to check your whole house for leaks is to:

  1. Turn off anything inside and outside of your house that uses water.
  2. Read your water meter.
  3. Leave the house for several hours (3-8 is best).
  4. Read your water meter upon your return.
  5. If your meter read is higher than when you left, you have a leak!

What do I do if my water has been shut off for non-payment?
You will need to contact Town Hall during normal business hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Closed 12-12:30 for lunch

In order to be reconnected, you will need to pay your past due utility bill plus a service fee of $50.00.  After 4:00 pm, the service fee is $100.00.

What do I do if I have a problem with my water service?

** CALL 911 FOR ANY EMERGENCY ENDANGERING PERSONS OR PROPERTY

During normal business hours, please contact Town Hall if you have any problem with your water, electric or sewer service.


SEWER DEPARTMENT

When I flush my toilet or run my sinks and shower, where does the water go?
All sewage travels through the wastewater collection system to the Town of Eatonville Wastewater Treatment Facility.

How is the wastewater treated?
The Town uses an “activated sludge” process, using Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) to treat the wastewater, as well as UV disinfection.

What happens to the treated wastewater?
After treatment, the wastewater is disinfected using ultraviolet light then discharged into the Mashel River.

Is the treated wastewater safe for the river?
Yes! The treated wastewater meets or, in most cases, exceeds all Federal and State standards.  In fact, the treated wastewater is usually cleaner than the river itself!

How do you know the wastewater has been treated properly?
The Town of Eatonville operates and maintains a State and federally accredited wastewater laboratory.  The Town’s wastewater operators conduct lab tests every day of the year to test the wastewater and ensure that it meets all Federal and State requirements.  The Town of Eatonville Wastewater Treatment Facility has won multiple awards for outstanding performance!

What happens to the leftover sludge?
The Town stores sludge in a four acre storage lagoon, which takes approximately 20 years to fill.  When this happens, the sludge is dredged out, tested for toxicity and hauled away.  The toxicity test results determine where the sludge ends up.  In most cases, the sludge meets all of the necessary treatment criteria to be ground-applied.

Does the Town wastewater system offer Reclaimed Water for irrigation purposes?
No.  At this time, the Town is not able to provide reclaimed water.

Can I still flush my toilets when the power is out?
Yes! The Town’s wastewater treatment and collection systems all have backup power generators to maintain services during power outages.

What do I do if I have a problem with my sewer service?

** CALL 911 FOR ANY EMERGENCY ENDANGERING PERSONS OR PROPERTY

During normal business hours, please contact Town Hall if you have any problem with your water, electric or sewer service.

 

ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT

What do I do if my electricity has been shut off for non-payment?
You will need to contact Town Hall during normal business hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Closed 12-12:30 for lunch

In order to be reconnected, you will need to pay your past due utility bill plus a service fee of $50.00.  After 4:00 pm, the service fee is $100.00.

What do I do if I have a problem with my electric service?

** CALL 911 FOR ANY EMERGENCY ENDANGERING PERSONS OR PROPERTY

During normal business hours, please contact Town Hall if you have any problem with your water, electric or sewer service.

BUILDING

Why do I need a Building Permit and Inspection?
• It helps protect property values: your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced.

• It makes selling property easier: when property is sold through a multiple listing association, the owner is required to disclose any improvements or repairs made and if permits and inspections were obtained.  If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs.

• Your permit allows the code official to reduce potential hazards of unsafe construction to provide for public health, safety and welfare.  By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family and friends or future owners.  Mandatory inspections complement the contractor’s experience and act as a system of checks and balances, resulting in a safer project.

• It’s the law:  work requiring permits are made such by Town ordinance.  Work without a permit may be subject to fines, removal or costly repairs.

How do I get a permit?
For contact information and permit applications click here.

Am I required to get a permit?
[A] 105.1 Required.
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

[A] 105.2 Work exempt from permit.
Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building:

  1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not       greater than 120 square feet (11 m2).
  2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
  3. Oil derricks.
  4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless  supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
  5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter  or width is not greater than 2:1.
  6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are  not part of an accessible route.
  7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
  8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
  9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than  5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
  10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
  11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
  12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm)  from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
  13. Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.

Gas:

  1. Portable heating appliance.
  2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical:

  1. Portable heating appliance.
  2. Portable ventilation equipment.
  3. Portable cooling unit.
  4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
  5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
  6. Portable evaporative cooler.
  7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (5 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W)  or less.

Plumbing:

  1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil,  waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work  shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
  2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and re-installation of water closets,  provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.