FAQs

Once qualified, you need to renew your exemption once every six years.  Any change in qualifying circumstances must be reported to the Benton County Assessor’s office to avoid penalties.

If you are at least 61 years of age at the time the claim is filed (or by December 31st of the filing year), or are unable to work due to a disability, or are a veteran with a 100 percent service connected disability(proof must be submitted).

Every year the commissioners, councils or directors of all taxing districts meet in open session to determine the amount of taxes to be collected the following year.  Public questions or comments are welcomed during this process.  Once the budget has been adopted, the amount of taxes to be collected its certified to the county.  The Assessor computes the levy rate required to raise the certified tax for each district and ensures that none of the constitutional or statutory limitations is violated. 

Everyone who uses personal property in a business must complete a personal property affidavit by April 30th each year.  The affidavit lists the taxable property by category, its cost and acquisition date and the assessor applies depreciation tables created by the Department of Revenue. The assessor uses the personal property value to determine taxes due the following year.  If you have a new business in Benton County, you are required to establish a personal property account.

Appraisers within the Assessor’s office value real property using one or more of the three professional appraisal methods:

Market or Sales Comparison Approach  uses sales to provide estimates of value for similar properties which have recently been sold.  Most residential property is valued using the market or sales comparison method.  An individual sale does not automatically establish the value of the property. Multiple sales of comparable properties are used in establishing value.

Cost Approach  estimates what it would cost to replace an existing structure with a similar one that serves the same purpose, less depreciation.  Cost value is added with the estimated land value to get total assessed value.  The cost method is most reliable in new construction valuation.

Income Capitalization Approach  The income approach is used by appraisers to estimate the income from a property and capitalize the income into an estimate of current value.  Because this approach recognizes that potential buyers demand property from which they can anticipate a future income, it is often referred to as the principle of anticipation.

(All approaches to value which apply to a particular property may be used by the appraiser.)

Benton County physically inspects at least once every six years, and statistically reviews and updates the properties that need to be changed every year.

You are at the time of filing, the owner/buyer or have a Life Estate or have a Lease For Life interest in the property, and live in the home as your principal residence.

The Assessor’s office carries out the provisions of Washington law and the state constitution. The Office must:

• Uniformly assess taxable real and personal property at 100% of market value.
• Determine and defend appraisals and values of property
• Administer programs for tax relief
• Process property ownership changes
• Maintain and update parcel boundaries maps
• Calculate tax rates of taxing districts based on district budgets requests.

If you disagree with the value placed on your property, you can file an appeal with the Benton County Board of Equalization.  Property owners are encouraged to talk with a county review appraiser to verify that our assessment records are accurate.  Errors may be corrected without a hearing.

Property owners receive a notice of value when the Assessor’s office determines there has been a change in their property value.  The notice shows previous and new current year’s values.  Current values are used to compute the following year’s taxes and include exemptions and deferrals on record.

It is a geographical area in which local entities such as a city, county, school, or fire district may assess taxes to sustain its operations.  These combined taxing districts make up a Tax Code Area or TCA.  In Benton County we have 57 TCA’s.

Initiative 747, which was approved by voters in 2001, changed the amount a taxing district may levy.  The regular property tax levy of a taxing district is limited to 101 percent of the highest levy since 1985, plus amounts attributable to new construction within the boundaries of the district. Prior to I-747, the limit was 106 percent per Referendum 47.  Please note that the initiative does not affect assessed values;  it limits the amount a district may levy.

In 2006, I-747 was declared unconstitutional in King County Superior Court.  The Attorney

General filed an appeal and the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.  In 2007, the State 

Legislature in special session reinstated the limit factor adopted by the voters under I-747.

Market value is the most probable price real estate should bring when offered for sale by a person who is willing but not obligated to sell it, and is bought by a person who is willing to purchase it but is not forced to do so.

The aggregate regular levy rate of all senior and junior taxing districts (not including the state, port districts, weed control, and mosquito control district) cannot exceed $5.90.

Washington State constitution limits the regular (not-voted) combined property tax rate to 1 percent ($10 per $1,000) of assessed valuation.  Voters may vote for special levies (such as School levies) that are about the 1% limit.

The Benton County Board of Equalization is an impartial citizen board that hears property value disputes and determines assessed value.  The board is appointed by the Benton County Commissioners.

The regular levy of each taxing district cannot exceed a certain rate, which is determined by the type of district. For example, the levy for the county current expense fund cannot exceed $1.80.

Petitions must be filed with the BOE on or before July 1st of the assessmet year or within 30 days of when the change of value notice was mailed by our office.

Contact the Benton County Assessor’s office if you have questions or do not agree with your new assessed value.  We will go over your property with you and you can help us determine if the characteristics of your property are correct.  Besides going over your property we will show you the sales in your area that were used to help determine the value of your property.

Values are established annually on January 1st the year before taxes are due.  Values are influenced by the current activity in the real estate market.  When the market goes up or down, values change to reflect trends in the marketplace.  Values may fluctuate due to inflation, when demand exceeds supply, when property characteristics change, or due to changes in economic conditions or the physical environment.  Value increases do not necessarily mean proportionately higher property taxes.

The reduction you receive in property taxes does not result in a lien against the property.

Plan requirements may differ for type of buildings being constructed. Check with the Building Department for specific requirements.

Footings, foundation wall. Plumbing, framing, mechanincal, insulation, wall board, and final. Other inspections may be required. Electrical inspections completed by Department of Labor and Industries.

Generally, all types of work including: wood/pellet stove, gas inserts, swimming pools (in ground and above ground), new homes, repairs and additions, remodeling, garage, accessory buildings, pole buildings, commercial buildings, etc.

The general contractor or the applicant may sign and pick up the permit. If the applicant is having another person (relative, friend, etc.) pick up the permit, the applicant will need to furnish to this department a letter stating that the named person has authority to sign for the permit on their behalf. Original signatures are required.

Benton County is currently working on an ordinance for animal control. Please contact Adam Fyall at (509) 736-3053 or Adam.Fyall@co.benton.wa.us for additional information. 

Effective immediately, Benton County is transitioning our Small Works Roster to the new MRSC Rosters shared online database.  This includes both contractors and consultants listed on the Small Works and Engineering & Architecture rosters.  To continue being eligible to work on small public works projects with Benton County, please register your company with Municipal Research Service Center (MRSC) Rosters at www.mrscrosters.org

Any Benton County applications previously submitted cannot be used. You must re-apply.  Questions on the new roster, please contact 206.625.1300 or mrscrosters@mrscrosters.org

Questions for Benton County please contact 509.786.5600.

Each Commissioner keeps his own calendar.  You may call the Commissioners office at (509) 786-5600 to speak directly with a Commissioner to schedule an appointment.

Attorneys are required to file electronically by eFiling. 

Non-attorney litigants, please mail your pleadings to:

Benton County District Court
7122 West Okanogan Pl, Ste A110
Kennewick WA 99336

Contact the Office of Public Defense at:

opd@co.benton.wa.us

Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place
Kennewick, WA 99336

Mailing Address:

7122 W. Okanogan Place, Suite A220
Kennewick WA 99336

Phone: 509-222-3700
Fax: 509-222-3717

Hours

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Make a request by mail or email for a review of your fines/legal financial obligations and provide the court with documentation of your financial situation. Examples of acceptable financial documentation are proof of income, rental agreement, proof of employment, SSI, food stamps, etc. The judge will review your documentation and make a decision based upon the information provided.

At your arraignment you may screen for court appointed counsel.  If you qualify, an attorney will be appointed for you at your hearing. 

You may also download the Court Appointed Attorney instructions and screening forms. 

You may turn yourself into the jail on your warrant. You can post bail or bond on the warrant issued.  You may set up a warrant review hearing with the Court requesting to quash your warrant. 

There are certain cases we can reschedule. If you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney. 

If you are not represented, please call or email us at  District.Court@co.benton.wa.us.

Yes, but this is only granted upon good cause.  Send your request to appear via WebEx to District.Court@co.benton.wa.us.  Please read the protocol for appearing virtually. If your request is approved, on the date of your hearing, find your name and courtroom by clicking on this link.  After you find your courtroom, then "enter" the courtroom by clicking here. 

You may request a hearing to show good cause why you did not respond or appear for hearing.  You will need to complete the form titled Motion to Set Aside Judgment On An Infraction and file it with the court.

If you don't respond to your ticket within the time allowed by law (30 days), it is considered committed and will accrue a Failure to Appear fee of $52.00.  If you fail to respond to the ticket and it is past due, it will be sent to collections and Department Of Licensing will be notified.

Please visit Find My Court Date or email District.Court@co.benton.wa.us

The arena grandstands (Sundown’s building) at the Benton County Fairgrounds, were built in 1968.

The current McDaniel Arena and Benton County Fairgrounds play a key role in our city’s economic development, drawing visitors from every corner of our state for more than 75 years.

To ensure the Benton County Fairgrounds and Arena remain home to economically and vital events, it is time to make an upgrade and to pay tribute to the McDaniel Arena.

No.  Although the majority of the Hanford Federal Reservation lies within Benton County, any GIS data covering this area is restricted and must be obtained directly from Hanford.

We try to respond to requests for products or services as quickly as possible (normally within 1-3 working days for standard products), but be aware that requests for custom mapping or spatial analysis may require substantially more time, depending upon the complexity of the request.

• Projection: Washington State Plane South Zone         
• Horizontal Datum: NAD83 HARN 
• Vertical Datum: NAVD88
• Units: US Survey Feet 

The inmate must complete a property release form listing the names of the parties authorized to pick up their property.  Then property can be released between 8 and 9 a.m. and 8 and 9 p.m., 7 days per week.  A government issued photo ID is required to pick up property.

Bail can be posted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  During business hours bail must be paid directly to the court.  Afterhours bail can be paid by coming to the jail afterhours door (to the left of the jail lobby).  Bring cash, cashier’s check or money order.

Money can be added to inmate's commissary accounts by using the kiosk in the jail lobby.  You can also call (866) 345-1884 or make deposits on line at: www.accesscorrections.com

Inmates can use funds from their commissary account to make phone calls to any allowed phone number.

If you wish to create and fund an account that will allow the inmate to call your number exclusively, you may do so by calling IC Solutions at 866-506-8407 or via their website at  www.icsolutions.com.

Inmates are allowed 2 free on-site video visits per week.  All visitation is scheduled by friends and family.  Inmates are notified of the scheduled visit and it is up to them to accept the visit.  Visitors may purchase additional visits if desired.  Paid visits can be done on-site or via the internet using a laptop with webcam and microphone, or an Android smartphone or tablet.

All visitors are required to create an account with IC Solutions:

1. Use the lobby kiosk or go online to www.icsolutions.com to create an account (only have to set up an account once)        
2. Schedule visit for a date and time (12 hour advance scheduling is required)  
3.  Visits are scheduled according to the inmate’s time-out period only or during non-working hours for a trustee.  Inmates receive 2 free local visits per week (Sunday - Saturday).  After the free visits are used, it will cost 12.50 per visit charge.  Visits are scheduled on a first come first served basis.

No, we do not accept incoming calls for detained youth. However, each youth is allowed one 15-minute collect phone call per day. This call is scheduled around daily detention activities and cannot be set for a specific time.

To receive calls, you must set up a phone account through NCIC by calling 1-800-943-2189.

The visitation policy allows parents/guardians to visit during regular visitation hours. There are times in which extenuating circumstances are considered, and exceptions are made to the visitation policy. If a youth’s parents are unable to visit their child, alternative resources may be considered to provide support to the detained youth. In order for an exception to be made, a request must be submitted to Detention Management.

A parent must contact the detention supervisor and request the specific item. The detention supervisor will speak with the youth, who must sign a permission form for the item(s) to be released. In rare cases, release of property may be denied if the arresting police agency needs the item for investigative purposes.

There are no costs for detention or for a public defender. However, if your child is found guilty, they may be court-ordered to pay fines or other costs related to their offense.

The Superior Court Clerk in Benton County and in the Superior Court Clerk in Franklin County are responsible for official court records.

When arrested for a criminal act, a juvenile is referred to the Benton/Franklin Juvenile Court. An arrest is made when a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and a specific individual was involved. Following the arrest, the juvenile may be detained at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center.

A screening decision will be made based on a screening assessment that considers various factors, including the current offense, prior offense history, and aggravating factors. This assessment helps determine whether the youth should be detained, released, or referred for other services.

It is also important to note that certain charges may require a mandatory hold, in which case the youth will be automatically held until their first appearance in court on the next judicial day at 1:30 p.m.

At the time of arrest and entry into detention, the juvenile has not yet been charged with a crime. The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is responsible for reviewing the case and filing any formal charges.

A law enforcement officer may also submit a report to the prosecutor for a charging decision without taking the juvenile into custody. If charges are filed, a Notice and Summons, including a copy of the charges, is mailed to the juvenile’s parents or guardian, directing them to appear in court for arraignment. Failure to appear may result in an arrest warrant.

If the offense is minor, the case may be referred to the Diversion unit, which will send out a notification after reviewing the referral.

Detention policy requires that a youth be released to a parent or legal guardian. In cases where a parent or guardian is not available, they must provide prior written permission for another responsible adult to pick up the youth. The release will only be made to the authorized individual.

Arrested youth are held at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center, located at 5606 W. Canal Pl, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Not for individuals.  We can accommodate group camping reservations with enough lead time.  Please contact our office for details at 509-736-3053.

Yes.  Title 11 encompasses the Zoning codes. Title 9 encompasses the Subdivision codes.  To access these codes, click on the Benton County Code tab found on the County's main webpage.

Yes, if you have the address or the parcel number, click here to access the Planning Department's Zoning Information page (where you can access the County's zoning map with search features).  If you have any questions, or would like us to find/confirm the zoning, please contact the Planning Department at (509) 786-5612 or Planning.Department@co.benton.wa.us.

In order to serve you better we have planning staff available in Kennewick.

Our Office has a Planner available in Kennewick on Thursday mornings.  They will be in the Benton County Building Department office located in the Kennewick Annex Building, 5600 W. Canal Drive from 9 a.m. until Noon.