How Do I? “City Services Guide”
As new resident to Kirkland, you probably have many questions. We hope the "Your Guide to City of Kirkland" (PDF - 19MB) answers some and that the following questions and answers give you the details about how to apply and/or register for licenses, make requests to the right department, and learn more about how the City of Kirkland can best serve you.
If you have other questions, comments, or interests, please “Ask A Question” at www.kirklandwa.gov/questions and we’ll have the best person to respond to you.
Get a License
License my business?
You may apply for a City business license at the Licensing counter at City Hall during regular business hours (Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., except for holidays). You may also download the Business License Application online at www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Search Words: Business License). Please complete the application and turn it into or mail it to City of Kirkland Licensing Division, City Hall, 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033.
License my vehicle?
The Washington State Department of Licensing issues driver’s licenses and licenses vehicles, not the City of Kirkland. For information about driver’s, vehicle and boat and business and professional licensing, visit www.dol.wa.gov or call 360-902-3900.
License my pet?
King County pet licenses are required for all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older. Pet licenses and renewals can be obtained online from King County Regional Animal Services at www.kingcounty.gov/pets (apply and pay online); by mail if you download the Application Form from the County website and mail it to any one of more than 100 pet license sales locations; or in person if you drop off your application to any of the pet license sales locations, including Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Avenue, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Get a marriage license?
Marriage licenses are issued by King County Records & Licensing Division. For information on the application process visit www.kingcounty.gov/courts, email licensing@kingcounty.gov, or call 206-296-4021.
Register
Register for a City recreation class/program?
You can register for a City recreation class online at www.kirklandparks.net, in person at the Parks Department Administration Office (505 Market Street), North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE), or Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave), or by mail (City of Kirkland, 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033). Contact the Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3300 should you have registration questions.
Register my security alarm system?
If you have a monitored or non-monitored security alarm system in your home or business, you’ll need to register it with the City. Registration forms are available at the Licensing Division, City Hall or you can download it at www.kirklandwa.gov/business (Select Business Licensing). Residents over 62 must register their systems but are exempt from fees/fines unless they operate a business out of their homes. For assistance, call 425-587-3142.
Register my oversized vehicle?
It is illegal in the City of Kirkland to park an oversized vehicle on residential property such as an RV, boat or trailer. An oversized vehicle is both more than nine feet in height and 22 feet in length, including bumpers. Residents of the Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate annexation area are allowed to have a one-time exception to this requirement if the vehicle is registered with the City by December 31, 2011. To be eligible for this registration and the ability to continue to store the vehicle on your property, you must have owned the vehicle prior to June 1, 2011, and the vehicle must be stored on private property where the registered owner resides. This allowance does not take the place of any private restrictions, such as covenants, conditions, and restrictions nor does it allow the parking of oversized vehicles on the street.
To register, complete and submit the “Oversized Vehicle Registration” form which is available online here, by calling the Planning & Community Development Department at 425-587-3225, or by emailing planninginfo@kirklandwa.gov.
Register to vote?
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be: a citizen of the United States; a legal resident of Washington state; at least 18 years old by election day and not under the authority of the Department of Corrections. To be eligible to vote, you must be registered to vote at least 29 days in advance of an election. If registering by mail, your application must be postmarked by the 29-day cutoff or it will not become effective until after the election. To register, contact the King County Elections Office at 206-296-VOTE (8683), register online at www.kingcounty.gov/elections or pick up the registration form at City Hall during regular office hours.
Report a problem
Code violation(s)?
To file a complaint regarding a potential or actual code violation, contact the Planning & Community Development Department at 425-587-3225 or submit a complaint form which is available at City Hall or online at www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Word Search: Code Enforcement Complaint Form). Common violations include construction without a permit, building or fence setbacks and height, and draining or clearing a wetland. Complaints submitted to the City constitute a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act.
Graffiti?
To report graffiti, call the 24-hour Graffiti Hotline at 425-587-3824 or email anti-graffiti@kirklandwa.gov. If the graffiti is on public property, the City will strive to remove it within 24 hours. If the graffiti is on private property, the City will contact the owner, encourage the owner to remove the graffiti immediately, and offer removal tips and suggestions.
Noise disturbances?
During normal business hours call the Planning & Community Development Department at 425-587-3225; on the weekends call the Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3400 (non-emergency line); or submit an online Complaint Investigation Request. To download the form go to www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Word Search: Code Enforcement)
Drainage/water quality problems?
To report drainage problems or water quality issues, complete the online Drainage and Water Quality Report or call Public Works/Surface Water Division at 425-587-3800. To download the Report Form, go to www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Word Search: Drainage Report Form)
Outdoor burning?
Under Washington State law, residential burning in urbanized areas, including Kirkland, is prohibited, with the exception of small recreational fires. Small recreational fires are typically intended for cooking or ceremonial purposes. No permit is required, but the dimension of the fire may not be more two feet high and three feet in diameter. They are only allowed on private property and in designated areas of parks. Fires in chimneys, fire pits, fire bowls, and similar freestanding devices are considered small recreational fires. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are not considered recreational fires.
Burn bans are issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for fire safety or air quality reasons. To find out if a burn ban is in effect, visit www.pscleanair.org or call 206-343-8800 or 800-552-3565.
To report most burn ban violations, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. To report violations of an urgent nature when a fire safety burn ban is in effect due to dry conditions and there is potential for a small fire to become dangerous, call 9-1-1.
Make a request
Request sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic signals, or other capital improvements in my neighborhood?
Some improvements may qualify for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is an ongoing program addressing construction, repair, maintenance and acquisition of major capital facilities and equipment. The Public Works staff can explain the process for each type of improvement. Please call 425-587-3800 or email publicworks@kirklandwa.gov should you have a specific request.
Request road maintenance?
To report a street light repair, potholes, tree hazards in the right-of-way or flashing crosswalk and traffic signal malfunctions, contact the Public Works Department at 425-587-3900 (24 hours) or publicworks@kirklandwa.gov. This division is also responsible for the maintenance of roadways, shoulders, paths and trails, the parking garage at Kirkland Library and public parking lots and conducts street sweeping.
Request park maintenance?
To request maintenance at any city park, City Cemetery, public art, Heritage Hall and the grounds of the Kirkland Performance Center, Peter Kirk and North Community Centers, Kirkland Teen Union Building, City’s Pea Patch, and Kirkland Library, contact the Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3341. This division is also responsible for operations and repairs of the Peter Kirk Swimming Pool, docks, moorage, ball fields, and Marina Park boat launch.
Request a public record?
If you would like to review or obtain a copy of a city record, you will be asked to complete a Request for Public Records Form and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office. The Form is available by calling 425-587-3190 or online at www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Search Words: Request for Public Record). The City will respond to your request no later than five business days after receipt. If additional time is needed to respond, you will be informed of this within the five days. If any of the records you requested are partially or totally exempt from disclosure, the response would identify the exemption that applies and explain why the exemption is applicable to the record requested.
Apply
Apply for a passport?
The City of Kirkland is a Passport Acceptance Facility for the U.S. Department of State. Passport acceptance hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2 p.m.–4:30 p.m. To learn what documentation you need prior to submitting your application, visit www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Search Word: Passport). For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov.
Apply for a permit?
Kirkland Development Services is your central source for information about land use, building, engineering and fire permits. For electrical, low-voltage, mechanical, plumbing or re-roof “simple” permits, apply online at www.MyBuildingPermit.com or contact the Building Services Division. For land use permits such as temporary use, conditional use, or subdivision, contact the Planning & Community Development Department. For street or storm drainage permits, contact the Public Works Department. Permit forms are available online at www.kirklandwa.gov by selecting the appropriate department.
Apply for a special event permit?
The City permits certain events, such as a block party or parade, that impact the public right-of-way. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/parks (Select: Special Events) to find out more information and to download the permit application.
General Information
Set up my garbage utility account?
Beginning July 1, 2011, annexation area residents currently served by Allied Waste will be automatically transitioned to Waste Management, Inc. (WMI). Annexation area residents currently served by WMI will continue to receive service from WMI. Existing accounts with Allied and WMI will automatically transfer to the City of Kirkland Utility Billing Division. Only new customers and residents that currently self haul their garbage must contact the Utility Billing Division to set up an account by calling 425-587-3150 or emailing utilitybilling@kirklandwa.gov. Property owners can authorize the utility bill to be sent to the tenant by completing the Alternate Billing Form. The form is available online at www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Search Words: Alternate Billing Form)
Pay my garbage utility bill?
Payment options include:
- City Hall Drop Boxes: Located outside north and south entrances. Available 24/7. No cash.
- City Hall Utility Counter: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; except holidays.
- ACH Debit: Automatic withdrawal from checking or savings.
- Online: https://kirkland.merchanttransact.com. Account set up required. Pay with credit card.
- Personal Bank Online Payment: Allow 10 days for payment to reach City.
- U.S. Mail: Allow seven days for payment to reach City.
Please write your account number on your check and include the top portion of the bill with your payment to assure correct posting to your account. Payments are due on the billing date shown on your statement and become delinquent 30 days from the billing date. Payments received after 3 p.m. on the due date will be credited to your account on the following day. If you are a tenant, and receiving the bill in your name, please be advised that a copy of any late notice will also be provided to the property owner or their designee.
Ask a question about recycling?
If you have a specific question about how and what to recycle, contact the Recycling Coordinator at 425-587-3812 or recycle@kirklandwa.gov. The City offers free recycling containers to Kirkland multi-family property managers and condo associations for distribution to their residents, while supplies last.
Get property information?
Property tax information is available from the King County Department of Assessments at www.kingcounty.gov/assessor or 206-296-7300. Parcel information is available from the King County GIS Center at www.kingcounty.gov/GIS or giscenter@kingcounty.gov. Please contact the respective City Department (See Department Contact Page) to request specific property information.
Reserve a City park or facility?
The City has several indoor, outdoor and athletic fields available to reserve: Heritage Hall, Peter Kirk Community Center and North Community Center; Peter Kirk Pool, Marina Park Pavilion; and Picnic Shelters at Everest Park, Rose Hill Meadows and Woodlands Parks. For reservation information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov (Key Search Words: Facility Rentals.)
Find sex offender information?
King County Sheriff’s Office hosts an online sex offender search tool at www.kingcounty.gov/sheriff (Select Sex Offender Search). The sex offender level is determined by the law enforcement agency in which the sex offender resides. One of three risk levels is assigned to a sex offender based on the potential risk to reoffend. Past criminal history, conviction data, and psychological behavioral evaluations are considered:
- Level I: Considered a Low Risk to reoffend.
- Level II: Considered a Moderate Risk to reoffend.
- Level III: Considered a High Risk to reoffend.
The Kirkland Police Department (KPD) has no legal authority to direct where sex offenders may or may not live. Unless court-ordered restrictions exist, the offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he or she chooses. For more information about sex offender notifications by the Kirkland Police Department, call 425-587-3400 or visit www.kirklandwa.gov/police (Select: Sex Offender FAQs)
Contact
Contact the City Council?
If you wish to contact the entire City Council via email, please send your question or comment to citycouncil@kirklandwa.gov. If you wish to contact individual council members, you can find their email addresses at www.kirklandwa.gov/council. If you would like to address the City Council at a Regular Meeting you may do so during the public comment period which is available at the beginning of the meeting under “Items from the Audience.” When you are called by the Mayor, you’ll need to step to the podium, state your name, and keep your comments to three minutes.
Contact City staff?
City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays). Department phone contact information is available within this guide. If you wish to contact an individual City Council or staff member, use the following email pattern: First Letter of First Name + Full Last Name@kirklandwa.gov. Example: Joe Smith, jsmith@kirklandwa.gov. There is an online City staff directory at www.kirklandwa.gov (Select: Contact Us.)
Contact my state legislators?
Visit www.leg.wa.gov to find your legislative district and congressional district (Select: Find Your Legislator).
Contact my federal legislators?
Visit www.house.gov to find your U.S. Representatives and www.senate.gov to find your Senators.
Volunteer and Sponsorship Opportunities
Find out about volunteer opportunities?
Volunteering is an opportunity to learn about Kirkland’s diverse community, understand how local government works and connect with other community members. City volunteers assist City staff in all departments enhancing services to the Kirkland community by restoring the natural vegetation in City parks, serving as an advisory board member or commissioner, assisting with special events, and providing office support. The City offers on-going and one-time event volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in an on-going volunteer position, please complete the On-going Volunteer Application. The form is available by calling 425-587-3012, emailing volunteer@kirklandwa.gov or downloading it from www.kirklandwa.gov/volunteer.
Find out about sponsorship opportunities?
The Parks & Community Services Department offers several sponsorship opportunities. The City hosts special events throughout the year which could be enhanced by sponsorship. You, your neighborhood, business, or organization may want to support the maintenance of a city park or open space. Donations to support recreation programs help those who are unable to afford a summer camp or sport. Contact the Department at 425-587-3300 to learn more or visit www.kirklandwa.gov/parks (Select: Donations).