Services

When you call 911, you expect to get the right medical care quickly. Clark County emergency responders do an excellent job providing this service, but we want to do more to help community members experiencing health issues. When you call...

The City of Vancouver understands that legislation protecting people with disabilities provides us with a floor, not ceiling, and the spirit of the law goes well beyond that. The City is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are provided...

Build the future and a career here The services the City of Vancouver provides touch every resident and business in the city, and we want talented, thoughtful, and service-oriented people to join us and contribute to the meaningful work we...

Vancouver is a riverfront city with many beautiful lakes and rivers to explore. Learning how to swim and understanding water safety basics are important skills to keep our community safe and healthy. Swimming is a fun, low-impact activity for all...

Bridging the gap between the streets and stable housing A bridge shelter is a low-barrier site where those experiencing homelessness can have a place to stay as they “bridge” the space between living outside and the next step on their...

Start your commercial or residential project here. We offer land use development, engineering and building permit services online and in person. What Do You Need To Do? Development Services More Information The Permit Center is open online and in-person. Resources...

Vancouver requires a business to hold a city business license if it is located within Vancouver city limits or its staff generate income within city limits. Also, certain businesses are required to hold city special licenses. For more information, see...

The Vancouver Police Department is asking for help to identify these individuals. If you have any information on any of the individuals shown, please contact the officer listed below the case. You may remain anonymous. Do not attempt to apprehend...

There are three cemeteries owned and managed by the City of Vancouver. These are: Park Hill Cemetery Located at 5915 E. Mill Plain Blvd., some early 1800s graves were moved to this cemetery. There are more than 25,000 burials at Park...

What does a City Liaison do? A City Liaison specializes in receiving and responding to sensitive concerns and questions from the public. They work hard to find answers to your questions and solutions to your problems. Their goal is to improve...

Code Compliance is responsible for maintaining the safety, health, welfare and livability of neighborhoods through the use of Vancouver Municipal Codes, including the Minimum Property Maintenance Code, Building Code and Zoning Ordinances. Code Compliance’s goal is to gain voluntary compliance...

On a mobile device? Swipe left to right to navigate tabs. Permit ProcessApplications and FormsSubmittal ChecklistCodesEnergy Codes Permit Process Why is a permit required? Building code permits help protect public safety, health and general welfare. The plan review and inspection...

Firstenburg and Marshall Community Centers offer a wide array of classes and activities for everyone. The Water Center helps visitors foster and explore learning for our community’s healthy water systems. Monthly memberships are available for regular use of the Firstenburg and Marshall...

Community Court seeks to reduce and properly address quality-of-life offenses by utilizing a collaborative, problem-solving approach to crime. Community Court promotes participant accountability while helping them avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system by connecting participants to needed services...

Start Your Community Garden The City of Vancouver is home to five public community gardens that provide the opportunity to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers within designated areas of some Vancouver parks. Community gardening allows you to experience the gratification...

The Vancouver Police Department Records Division accepts applications for Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPL) Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at our West Precinct (2800 NE Stapleton Rd). Applicants must reside within the city limits of Vancouver or be out of...

Everyone is encouraged to learn and practice the basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. Almost anyone can help save a life using the latest CPR techniques, with no formal classroom training or certification required. Did You Know? CPR helps maintain...

Reduced Fee for Criminal Prosecution Diversion Program The City Attorney’s Office now offers participation in its criminal prosecution diversion program at a reduced $50 fee for individuals with limited financial means. Our diversion program offers an alternative to traditional prosecution...

Economic development is a vital City service that helps enhance our community today and for future generations. Our goal is to improve our community’s livability and prosperity. Get employment lands ready. The current economy demands quick availability for sites. The...

Are you ready? In 1962, the Columbus Day storm brought 90+ mph winds and caused $200 million in damages to Vancouver. In 2008, a tornado touched down near Vancouver Lake, cutting power to more than 125,000 homes. Are you and...

What will you do when the ground starts to shake, the ice storm hits, the floodwaters come, a bridge goes out or the unthinkable happens? Is your family set up to survive? What will your quality of life be like...

Our employee dashboard allows you to take an interactive look at current City employee demographics, including information about employee race/ethnicity, gender and age range. We update the data regularly to provide accurate information and transparency. Demographic Dashboard

Development Engineering Services in the Permit Center has resources to help you with: Civil engineering design and review process Utility locations and connections Construction in the public right of way Legal documents and recordings Reimbursement contracts Right-of-Way Permit Permits are...

Equitable Development is an approach to strategically invest in programs and policies to help create vibrant, healthy and safe communities that increase access to opportunities and reduce or eliminate disparities. This approach centers on using a data-driven place-based approach to...

The City of Vancouver is proud to host a variety of community and neighborhood events. Permits are required for any event activity that occurs on private or public property and affects the ordinary use of public streets, rights-of-ways, or sidewalks....

Reducing risk While emergency response is our top priority, we work to find meaningful and creative ways to interact with members of our community with the goal of reducing risk for the community we serve. Your group or organization may...

The International Fire Code section 105 mandates operational permits for certain fire code regulated activities. There are three situations where a person or organization must complete a fire code operational permit application You were directed to complete an application that...

If an individual or business wishes to use water temporarily from a public fire hydrant, they must apply for an authorized hydrant meter and permit. Otherwise, individuals and businesses may not connect to and take water from a public fire...

Vancouver Deputy Fire Marshals and Fire Code Officers inspect businesses, schools and facilities under the authority of the International Fire Code. The Fire Code edition is the one adopted and amended by the State of Washington and by the Vancouver...

The Vancouver Police Department Records Division accepts applications for firearm dealer licenses Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The business must be in the city limits of Vancouver and the applicant must provide a copy of their business...

Fireworks are not legal in the City of Vancouver In 2015, the Vancouver City Council approved a fireworks ordinance (M-4137) that went into effect in October 2016. This ordinance made the sale and use of consumer fireworks inside the city...

Stay active, engaged and connected at Firstenburg in East Vancouver Firstenburg features a two-court gymnasium, fitness center, dance and aerobics studio, a 50-foot climbing wall, a spectacular aquatic playground and a variety of community event spaces. Latest News 2025-26 City...

Firstenburg Community Center is available to host your next event in East Vancouver. The building is ADA accessible and has access to a free parking lot for your guests. Whether you are hosting a large celebration or a small gathering,...

Lift weights, use cardio equipment, take a group exercise class and walk laps around the indoor track at Firstenburg's Fitness Center. 7,000+ pounds of free weights in the 3,400 square foot Nautilus Fitness Center Wheelchair-accessible arm ergometer and recumbent stepper...

Firstenburg's two-court gymnasium is home to recreational leagues, drop-in sports and more. For information about gymnasium rentals, call 360-487-7005 or email rentals@cityofvancouver.us. 12,000 square feet Lined for basketball, volleyball and pickleball Two courts can be separated by a curtain Environmentally friendly...

Firstenburg pool features an aquatic playground with zero depth entry, three-lane lap pool, lazy river and 130-foot-long slide. A 3,000-gallon heated spa is located next to the pool for therapeutic relaxation. Whether you are looking for aquatic fitness activities or...

Garbage, Recycling and Organics Service Set up residential and business garbage, recycling and organics services through the City’s contractor, Waste Connections. Set up service Fall Leaf Disposal Coupons To help residents take care of fallen leaves on their property, City...

In the City of Vancouver an individual is allowed to operate certain types of businesses from their residence per VMC 20.860. Home based businesses located in the City limits of Vancouver may be required to apply for a Home Occupation...

Providing outreach Our Homeless Assistance & Resources Team (HART) provides compassionate outreach and assistance to those living unsheltered and serves as a point of contact for community members with safety or sanitation concerns. Services Responds to reports of active or...

In 2023, the City declared an emergency related to homelessness in Vancouver. Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis with many causes. Those living on the street or in vehicles face tremendous challenges—from the loss of a job or home to mental...

Vancouver Parks and Recreation offers engaging, age-appropriate, secular classes for students who are homeschooled or looking for additional enrichment opportunities during hybrid learning. Classes are offered on Thursdays for students ages 4-18 at Firstenburg Community Center. Taught by educators, experts...

The City of Vancouver recognizes the importance of housing to fostering a healthy and livable community. We are committed to promoting safe, affordable housing and reducing homelessness through the City's funding, partnership, and policy efforts. Rental Assistance The City of...

The City's Housing Rehabilitation Program provides loans for basic home repairs to qualified low-income homeowners within the city limits. The 2% simple interest loans are for up to $35,000, with no payments required until the house is sold. Qualifying households...

Our Human Resources team is committed to helping support you with a successful application process. Below are some frequently asked questions related to the process. Where do I begin? Start by reviewing the available job opportunities to find one that...

Image titleYour subtitle here Under the authority of International Fire Code Chapter 5, the Vancouver Fire Department and its service areas in Fire District 5 require the installation of a Knox Box or other Knox access in certain situations. The...

A pre-application conference is required for all Type II, Type III and applicant-initiated Type IV applications,unless waived by the Planning Official. Generally, the Planning Official may waive the pre-applicationconference only if it is determined that the proposal is relatively simple...

The Long Range Planning Team works with the community to develop a variety of projects and programs that focus on the built environment, and together advance the City’s policy priorities of taking bold climate action, advancing justice, equity, diversity and...

Work out your cardiovascular system, increase your strength with weights or join a group exercise class in our safe, well-ventilated fitness areas. Marshall Community Center offers a fully equipped fitness facility with Nautilus, Precor and SCIFIT machines along with TRX,...

Marshall's two-court gymnasium is home to recreational leagues, drop-in sports and more. For information about gymnasium rentals, call 360-487-7077 or email rentals@cityofvancouver.us. 7,100 square feet Lined for basketball, volleyball and pickleball Two courts can be separated by a curtain Features floor...

Marshall Pool features a 25-yard lap swim area and drop-slide. The pool depth ranges from 4-9 feet, to provide both shallow and deep-water exercise options. Marshall Pool provides the most diverse aquatic fitness opportunities in West Vancouver. Pool Schedule and...

The Marshall/Luepke Community Center offers a variety of rental spaces to host your special event at a great price. Our personable, professional staff have years of experience and a wealth of resources to help you to plan your special day....

The City of Vancouver provides a unique opportunity for developers to assist in meeting the community needs for additional housing in designated residential target areas across the city. The Multi-Family Housing Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program, which is authorized under state...

The MyVancouver mobile app provides smart device users who work, live or play in the city with a direct, convenient line of communication with City employees to solve non-emergency issues and stay in-the-know on City events and resources. Download the...

For downtown and uptown parking complaints (Esther Short Park neighborhood, Arnada neighborhood, Hough neighborhood, or any municipal parking garage), please contact City of Vancouver Parking at 360-487-8650 or at CityParkingServices@cityofvancouver.us. Parking Rules Prolonged Parking - Limits vehicle parking in the...

The Neighborhood Police Officers work closely with neighbors, neighborhood associations, businesses and other community stakeholders to collaboratively address issues around livability.

Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program The City of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program allows community members to champion projects for their neighborhood. These projects help reduce vehicle speeds and improve neighborhood safety and livability. Through a competitive process, project locations...

A Park Use Permit gives you permission to bring special items and equipment into the park and describes any approved special services or park staff assistance. Applications for 2025 permits will be available in February 2025. Types of activities that require...

Parking Services Parking management plays an important role by ensuring parking is available for residents, businesses and visitors. Parking Services also manages nine municipal parking garages and lots. View frequently asked questions about parking. View information about disabled parking. Parking...

Ways to Pay Your Ticket It is easy to pay a parking ticket in Vancouver. There are five options. Parking Portal Appeal your ticket Appeal a Parking Ticket There are two types of appeals available for a parking infraction: Mitigation...

City of Vancouver Volunteer Programs supports parks and recreation activities with a variety of programs for people of all ages and abilities. Volunteers are an important asset to the operation of our community centers, sports programs and camps. By volunteering...

Park and Trail Finder Maps Additional maps OverviewPark TypesUndeveloped Overview Our Paths, Our Passion Parks, trails and natural areas are a critical part of what shapes quality of life for everyone in the City of Vancouver. Vancouver Parks and Recreation...

One of America's oldest continuously operating airports Pearson Field is one of the oldest operating airfields in the US and in September 2012 received national recognition through the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) as a historic aerospace site....

Access to Recreation programs provide opportunities for people with disabilities to build positive friendships, learn new skills and participate in fun fitness activities. Access to Recreation Classes and Activities Access to Recreation Summer Day Camps For information on how to access our...

We maintain four covered picnic shelters that can be reserved for events taking place May 1 - Sept. 30. Reservations for the 2025 season will open on Feb. 5, 2025, at 9 a.m. Marshall Community Park Fisher Basin Community Park Leroy...

Land Use Planning Land Use Planning, often referred as current planning, implements the community’s planning and environmental goals through objective, consistent and fair application of city development standards and procedures to all development applications. Planners from the Land Use Team,...

Talk To Us Please visit use the forms below to provide feedback and information to the Vancouver Police Department. How Are We Doing? To monitor the level of customer service we provide, we ask citizens to provide feedback to the...

The Vancouver Police Department's Policy Manual is designed to guide employees of our Department in carrying out their assigned responsibilities. These statements of values, policy and standards shall be considered mandates for all members of the Vancouver Police Department. It...

The Vancouver Police Records Division is open to the public Monday through Friday during normal business hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., excluding holidays and is located at the Vancouver Police Department West Precinct 2800 NE Stapleton Rd. The...

Protecting Precious Resources In 2022, the state updated business environmental protection requirements to better protect the water resources we all share and rely on. Our Water Resources Protection Ordinance outlines policies for pollution prevention and water protection to reflect these...

Pre-application conferences are held virtually Pre-application reports will be available on the City’s ePlans system the day the pre-application is or would be scheduled to be held. Applicants, neighborhood associations and interested parties are encouraged to contact the case manager...

What is the Pre-Lease Program? The Pre-Lease program is a resource for business owners who want to lease or buy commercial space, property owners wanting to renovate/redevelop commercial space, and for food truck vendors locating in the City of Vancouver....

OverviewDisparity StudyDoing BusinessApprenticeshipTerms and Conditions and PoliciesContact Overview Procurement Services is responsible for the purchasing of goods, services and construction administration on behalf of the City of Vancouver. We assist City departments with their surplus disposition, as needed. We strive...

To ensure transparency and accountability, the City seeks to make the process of obtaining public records as easy as possible. The City complies with the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56).  The City of Vancouver defines a public record as any...

Vancouver Public Works crews are here to help. We've created the online form below to make it easy to report problems and request help for many Operations and Maintenance services in the City of Vancouver. Just review the list of frequently requested...

Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services supports building an active, connected community by offering recreation opportunities for everyone. Explore hundreds of classes, camps, leagues, clubs and more year-round in Vancouver. Register online, or visit or call Firstenburg and Marshall community...

The Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department makes the benefits of recreation programs available to children from low-income families and people with developmental disabilities in our community. The Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship Program Recreation programs promote physical, mental and social...

Vancouver Parks and Recreation has a new online registration system. We believe you will enjoy the ease of registering online. This page will help guide you on how to do just that. Visit our registration portal to browse, learn more...

Whether you're planning your wedding, birthday celebration, business meeting, grad party or quinceañera, we can help make your event one to remember! Host your event in one of our beautiful community center spaces or add a touch of nature and plan...

If you need to report a crime in progress, or you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. The outside local area 911 Dispatch Number is 360-696-4461. The Vancouver Police Department does not currently offer online reporting. These crimes may be reported...

On a mobile device? Swipe left to right to navigate tabs. Permit ProcessConstruction and Plan ConsiderationsProject TopicsApplications and FormsSubmittal Checklists Permit Process When is a permit required? A building permit is generally required when changes or alterations are made to...

Sanitation and Hygiene Stations The City has established single restrooms, hand sanitizers and ADA-restroom/handwashing stations at two locations: Share HouseWest 12th and King Street Burnt Bridge CreekOff Northeast Andresen Road Shelter and housing resources Are you currently in need of...

The internet can be a great place to buy or sell property but conducting the transaction should be as safe as possible for both the buyer and the seller. That's why the Vancouver Police Department offers parking lots at our...

In 2021, City Council approved a plan to create temporary, supportive Safe Stay Communities for people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. Safe Stays are temporary communities offering residents greater access to services, increased stability and safe living conditions to transition out of homelessness. Each...

City building and electrical inspectors conduct inspections to check for compliance with approved plans, in addition to local and State building code regulations. Inspections received after 6:30 a.m. will be inspected the next business day. Schedule Online Using the City’s...

System Development Charges System Development Charges (SDCs) help offset the impacts of new development on city infrastructure like sewer and water systems. When a business or property owner pays SDCs, they effectively purchase the sewer capacity needed to run their...

Is your home on a septic system? If so, we invite you to learn more about Vancouver’s Sewer Connection Incentive Program (SCIP). SCIP provides an easy and affordable solution to septic owners in our service area who are ready to...

Residential streets in the City of Vancouver are swept approximately every nine weeks, except during severe weather. Street sweeping is a service of Vancouver Public Works' Operations Stormwater team. Neighborhood street sweeping schedules are posted directly below by neighborhood. A weekly schedule is also...

Street Use Permits allow for the use of a public street or right-of-way for purposes other than for the usual vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle or other mobility device travel. Reviews consider potential safety hazards, traffic congestion and address liability. Your project...

We plan and develop policy and programs that identify how and where the City invests in its transportation network to provide a safe, equitable, and accessible transportation system with mobility options for all users, regardless of how they choose to...

Safe disposal of prescription medications (including pet medications), sharps and over-the-counter medications can be dropped off at several locations. In addition, there are drug take back events scheduled twice a year.  Prepare medications for disposal Medications do not need to be...

Reserve a Tour Please do not show up without confirmation of your reservation! Please include the following information: Primary contact name, phone numbers and email Number of participants and age range Station & date preferred Alternate station and date in...

The City of Vancouver Police Department makes every reasonable effort to provide equal access to City facilities, programs, services and activities for people with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You can learn more here about...

VPD actively recruits prospective volunteers year-round for our annual NOW Academy. Fill out our interest form below to connect with our Volunteer Coordinator! Volunteer Interest Form Volunteers In Police Service The Vancouver Police Department has many ways for community members...

During the school year, a free Youth Opportunity Pass is available to students who live in the Vancouver city limits. Students must be 11-18 years old and enrolled in middle school, high school, or homeschooled at the 6-12 grade levels...