As of Dec. 1, the public can now apply for development permits, request building inspections and check the status of permits online through the county’s new SmartGov portal.
In an effort to help the public learn how to use the new software, Community Development Department staff have posted how-to guides and video tutorials on the permit webpage and will host two live lunch-and-learn training sessions, during which participants are invited to bring a snack or sack lunch and learn the basics about the new paperless permitting process, a news release stated.
Participants can attend the live lunch-and-learn training in person or virtually via Teams, and they can choose between two dates: noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 17 or noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 14.
The lunch-and-learn training events will take place in the Community Development Hearings Room at 125 NW Chehalis Ave. in Chehalis.
To receive the Teams link for virtual attendance, email Bradley Clark, software transition lead, at bradley.clark@lewiscountywa.gov. The link will be sent two days before the meeting.
“This is a big change for the public and staff. It will take a little while for everyone to become comfortable using the new software,” said Mindy Brooks, director of community development.
“But overall, the online portal will save our customers a lot of time because they won’t have to come to Chehalis to apply for permits.”
The new software is funded by a Paper-to-Digital grant from the state Department of Commerce. The long-term goal is to go completely paperless.
“We understand that may not work for all our customers right away. If you come into the Permit Center, we will help you set up an account and apply for a permit. We will scan your application materials to upload with the application,” Brooks said. “Going paperless helps the county with records retention because all materials associated with a permit are saved together in a cloud-based database. An added benefit is that anyone will be able to look up permit history on a property through the online portal.”
In 2025, Lewis County processed 2,778 development permits, ranging from adding a deck to an existing house to building a new home or creating new subdivisions, the release stated. Prior to the new software, all permit applicants had to visit the Permit Center in Chehalis in person.
Lewis County measures 90 miles in length, which means applicants from East Lewis County could spend more than two hours driving to apply for those development permits.
With the launch, Lewis County will no longer accept paper permit materials. The application portal will be available at https://tinyurl.com/8r6kx7eb.
Applicants will need to create an online account before submitting permit requests.
The Permit Center will remain open for in-person assistance, and permit technicians will be available to help customers navigate the new system.
For questions, contact the Permit Center at 360-740-1146 or permitcenter@lewiscountywa.gov.
