Newcomer Information

Animal Control | Auto Licensing | Chambers of Commerce | Libraries 
School Districts | Taxes | Utilities

 

Welcome to Vancouver, USA! If you've just moved to the area, here's some information we think you'll find useful.

ANIMAL CONTROL/LICENSE (BACK)

A license and leash is required for dogs and cats throughout Clark County. You usually have to get rabies shots for your dogs and cats before you can license them. For further information, contact: 

Web site

Clark County Animal Protection and Control: Linda Moorhead, Manager
Street address: 1300 Franklin Street, Third Floor, Vancouver, WA 98660
Mailing address: P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810
Information and Complaints: (360) 397-2488 | FAX: (360) 397-2011
After hours emergency: 911
Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388, then call (360) 397-2445
E-mail: animal@clark.wa.gov
For document requests, please contact Community Development's Public Records Officer by phone
(360) 397-2375 ext. 4483 or by email commdev@clark.wa.gov .

 

AUTOMOTIVE INFORMATION (BACK)

Driver’s License

As soon as you establish residency, you must obtain a Washington state driver’s license. A written examination is required for new residents. You can also register to vote at the same time you get your license.

Plates & Tags

You must obtain a Washington State license plate for your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency. If you are from out of state, you must have your vehicle inspected by the Washington State Patrol. Most cars will require an emissions test.

Washington State Patrol, web site

Headquarters & Communications:
11018 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682-6686 (360) 260-6333
Directions: From either I-5 or I-205, go east on SR-500. Follow to NE 112th Avenue and turn right (south). Go to NE 51st Circle and turn right (west), then turn right into the WSP parking lot.

Drivers License Examining Office
web site
Vancouver, 260-6288

Vehicle Emission Inspection
web site

West Vancouver
Station 13
14110 NW 3rd Ct
Vancouver, WA 98685
360.574.3731
VancouverWMGR@emissiontestwa.com

East Vancouver
Station 14
1121 NE 136th AVE
Vancouver, WA 98684
360.254.2173
VancouverEMGR@emissiontestwa.com

Auditor’s Office
web site

CLARK COUNTY AUDITOR AUTO LICENSE
1408 FRANKLIN STREET
VANCOUVER WA 98660-2860

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Telephone Number: (360) 397-2288

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BATTLEGROUND AUTO LICENSE
301 W MAIN STREET #101
BATTLE GROUND WA 98604-4411

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-6:00
Saturday Hours: 10:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 687-5115

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CAMAS AUTO LICENSE
3316 NE 3RD AVE
CAMAS WA 98607-2436

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-5:30
Lunch Closure: 1:00-2:00
Saturday Hours: 10:00-2:00
Telephone Number: (360) 835-2977

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AUTO LICENSE SERVICES
1301 NE 136TH AVE
VANCOUVER WA 98687

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30-6:00
Saturday Hours: 8:30am - 2:00pm
Telephone Number: (360) 892-1877

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HAZEL DELL AUTO LICENSE AGENCY
7904 NE 6TH AVE STE B
VANCOUVER WA 98665-8107

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00-6:00
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 574-0086

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HEIGHTS AUTO LICENSE
8000 E MILL PLAIN BLVD STE A
VANCOUVER WA 98664

Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm
Saturday Hours: 10am - 3pm
Telephone Number: (360) 695-2122

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HWY 99 AUTO LICENSE
True Value Hardware
13009 NE HWY 99
VANCOUVER WA 98686-2727

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00-6:00 Wed: 9:00am - 7pm
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 573-6226

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VANCOUVER MARKET CENTER AUTO LICENSE
5000 E FOURTH PLAIN BLVD, STE 110
VANCOUVER WA 98661-6584

Office Hours: Mon: 9:00-8:00 Tu-Fri: 9-6
Saturday Hours: 9:00-4:00
Telephone Number: (360) 694-0931

 

 

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (BACK)

Battle Ground (web site)
2903 West Main St.
Battle Ground, Washington 98604
Phone: (360) 687.1510
Fax: (360) 687.4505

Camas/Washougal (web site)
422 NE Fourth Ave.
Camas, WA 98607
360.834.2472

Greater Vancouver (web site)
Broadway Business Center
1101 Broadway, Suite 120
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (360) 694-2588
Fax: (360) 693-8279

Ridgefield (web site)
887-0703
P.O. Box 723, Ridgefield, WA 98642

 

LIBRARIES (BACK)

The Clark County area is served by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System, headquartered in the downtown Vancouver Library at 1007 Mill Plain Blvd.,

Vancouver, WA, 98661. 695-1566
Branches in Clark County: 
Battle Ground 
Cascade Park (Vancouver) 
Ridgefield
Vancouver Mall
and a bookmobile

Other libraries include:
City of Camas Library
Clark County Law Library
Clark County Historical Library
Southwest Washington Medical Library

Clark College in Vancouver offers the Lewis D. Cannell Library. The college is at 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd., 992-2000. Washington State University Vancouver has a research library on campus that is open to the public. WSU is at 14204 N.E Salmon Creek Ave., 546-9788.

 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS (BACK)

 

TAXES (BACK)

The good news is that Washington State does not have an income tax. But Clark County does have a 8.1 percent sales tax (depending the area) — still lower than the rest of the state due to our proximity to Oregon (no sales tax). Grocery items are not taxed. Many people live in Clark County and work in Oregon (approximately 40 percent of the local workforce) due in part to lower real estate taxes. But the excise tax on automobiles is one of the highest in the country.

UTILITIES (BACK)

Clark County Public Utility, 992-3000
Northwest Natural Gas, 693-2511
US West, 800-244-1111
Verizon, 800-483-4100
Comcast Cable & Internet, 263-2194