City services & civic how-tos
Get things done, in plain English and Spanish
Voting, licenses, utilities, permits, school enrollment and who to call — explained simply, with links to the official office.
Emergency? Call 911. This page explains services; it isn’t monitored and can’t dispatch help. Official offices have the final word — always confirm deadlines with them.
Voting
Washington votes by mail. Register or update your address at VoteWA.gov. Online and mail registrations close 8 days before an election; you can register in person at your county elections office until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
| County | Elections office | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Benton | 7122 W. Okanogan Pl., Bldg. F, Kennewick | 509-736-2727 · bentoncountywa.gov |
| Franklin | 404 W. Clark St., Pasco | franklincountywa.gov |
Nov. 3 general election: key dates for Benton and Franklin county voters
Ballots go out by mid-October. Register or update online or by mail by Oct. 26, or in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Driver licenses & vehicles
New residents have 30 days to get a Washington driver license and 30 days to register vehicles — and you need the WA license before you can register. Start at dol.wa.gov/moving-washington; find vehicle licensing offices at info.dol.wa.gov.
Utilities & paying bills
| Service | Who provides it |
|---|---|
| Electricity — Richland | City of Richland Energy Services |
| Electricity — Kennewick, Finley, Benton City, Prosser | Benton PUD |
| Electricity — Pasco, Connell, Franklin County | Franklin PUD |
| Electricity — much of West Richland & rural Benton County | Benton REA |
| Water, sewer, garbage | Your city (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, West Richland, etc.) |
City websites: Kennewick · Richland · Pasco · West Richland · Benton City · Prosser · Connell
Permits
- Building, remodel, fence and sign permits come from your city’s building/permitting department (or the county if you’re outside city limits). Kennewick and other cities offer online permit portals.
- Business licenses in Washington start with the state Business Licensing Service; many cities add a local endorsement.
- Special events and park reservations go through each city’s parks & recreation department.
Report a problem
Potholes, broken streetlights, graffiti, code violations: use your city’s “Report a Concern” page (Kennewick and West Richland link it from their home pages) or call city hall. For hazards in the road right now, call 911.
Ben Franklin Transit
Bus, Dial-A-Ride and on-demand transit across the two counties.
Benton County Courthouse (Prosser)
Benton County’s historic county seat in Prosser.
Franklin County Courthouse
Franklin County government offices in Pasco, including the auditor (elections, licensing and recording).
Kennewick City Hall
Utility billing, permits, council meetings and city services for Kennewick.
Pasco City Hall
Utility billing, permits, council meetings and city services for Pasco.
Port of Kennewick
Public port district behind Clover Island, Columbia Gardens Wine Village and waterfront redevelopment.
Richland City Hall
City services for Richland, which also runs its own electric utility.
West Richland City Hall
Permits, utility payments and city services for West Richland.
Schools
Enroll directly with your school district; bring proof of address, birth certificate and immunization records. District list and tips: Newcomer guide → Schools.