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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Main

14

  • No, the city attorney's client is the City of Burlington. The city attorney is prohibited from providing legal advice to private citizens.

    View more information about the City Attorney's Office.
    Main

  • View contact information for the Burlington City Hall.
    Main

  • Download the 2013 Street map and Index Sheet.
    Main

  • View more information about business licenses, which are can be obtained through the Finance Department.
    Main

  • View more information about obtaining a passport.
    Main

  • Burlington is located at the intersection of I-5 and State Highway 20, 65 miles north of Seattle and 45 miles south of the Blaine border crossing.

    Driving from the east or west State Highway 20 will take you into the business district of Burlington. From I-5 you may take exit 231, 230 or 229.

    View information about public transportation.
    Main

  • Download directions to the Burlington City Hall.
    Main

  • Download the City Council Ward Map.

    Main

  • View lodging information.
    Main

  • Complete the online citizen complaint form.
    Main

  • Complete the claim for damages form.
    Main

  • Complete the incident form.
    Main

  • View meeting room links.
    Main

Traffic Infraction Procedures

5

  • A violation of traffic rules of the road, including, but not limited to such charges as:
    • Defective equipment
    • Failure to provide proof of insurance
    • Failure to stop at a stop light or stop sign
    • Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
    • Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
    • Improper lane usage
    • Improper passing
    • Improper turn
    • No motorcycle endorsement when driving a motorcycle
    • Not having your license on person
    • Speeding
    • Violation of instruction permit
    • Violation of license restriction
    Traffic Infraction Procedures

  • View the requirements on the infraction procedure page.
    Traffic Infraction Procedures

  • When you pay the penalty, mitigate, or if the judge finds you have committed a traffic infraction at a contested hearing, the state law requires that the infraction be reported to the Department of Licensing. The infraction will then appear on your driving record. Neither the court clerk nor the judge has the authority to keep the infraction off of your record.
    Traffic Infraction Procedures

  • A failure to pay or respond to the ticket within 15 days results in an order that the infraction was committed. If you asked for a hearing and do not appear, your payment is due immediately.

    When an infraction is not paid in a timely manner or a hearing is missed, a $52 state assessed penalty is added to the amount shown on the ticket. Your license may then be suspended if the penalty is not paid immediately, and the account may be assigned to a collection agency. The court does not issue warrants for failure to pay fine.
    Traffic Infraction Procedures

  • If you are unable to pay your entire penalty at the time of the hearing, the judge or the clerk will work out a time payment agreement. This is a contract with the court for installment payments, which you must follow. Read the contract carefully and completely.

    Failure to follow the contract can result in late fees, possible suspension of your driver's license, and assignment to a collection agency. There will be a $10 charge for infraction time pay agreements.
    Traffic Infraction Procedures

Nonresident Library Cards

8

  • Residents and property owners of the City of Burlington support the Burlington Public Library via their taxes. The non-resident fee offsets the cost to serve non-residents.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • You may have a Burlington postal address but if your property is physically located in the unincorporated areas outside Burlington city limits, by definition you are a non-resident.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • Where you physically reside determines who provides services to you.

    Residents of the City of Burlington (within Burlington city limits) are served by:
    • Burlington Police Department
    • Burlington Fire Department
    • Burlington Public Library
    Residents of unincorporated Skagit County (outside Burlington city limits) are served by:
    • Skagit County Sheriff
    • County Fire Districts
    • Library from which they purchased a non-resident card
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • Yes, each of the public libraries in Skagit County charge non-resident fees.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • This amount equals the rate city-resident taxpayers pay for library services, and the $60 fee covers an entire household for a year. To help put this in perspective, look at what $60 will buy you elsewhere:
    • Three hardbound books per year
    • Less than a year's subscription to Netflix or the Skagit Valley Herald
    A library card is the best bargain around at less than 17 cents a day.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • A non-resident card entitles you to the same privileges as a resident library cardholder.
    • You can check out library materials (books, videos, magazines, audiobooks).
    • You have access to the Library's 37,000-item collection and 100+ magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
    • You can use the Library's electronic resources, including the internet, Microsoft Office software, and online magazine databases.
    • Children can attend library storytimes, events, and participate in the summer reading program.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • There is no charge to use library materials in the library for studying in the library, for using our public computers, or for asking reference questions. In addition, fees are never charged for library programs, including storytimes, and teen and adult workshops and informational programs.
    Nonresident Library Cards

  • Good question. Concerned citizens have brought this issue to the public for a vote several times in the past 10 years. We agree that it would be a great benefit to be able to offer all Skagit County residents library cards without charging fees out-of-pocket.

    We hate turning away families with large stacks of books who will not or cannot pay a non-resident fee. We'd love it if teachers could confidently tell their students to go to the nearest public library and check out a book on their topic without distinguishing if their families live within city limits or not.

    We envision a system where library cardholders could check out materials from any one of the public libraries in Skagit County—via a shared catalog and circulation system. You'd have access to way more items than can fit in the Burlington Library—for far less than it would cost to buy non-resident cards at each library.

    Remember, the establishment of library services for residents of unincorporated Skagit County is the responsibility of county residents and county commissioners, not city residents or the City of Burlington.
    Nonresident Library Cards

Sewer Department

7

  • No, the storm drain and sewer drains are not connected. The city has a separated system.

    Stormwater is conveyed directly to Gages Slough and the Skagit River, without treatment.

    Sanitary sewage is collected and treated at the City of Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant and then discharged into the Skagit River.
    Sewer Department

  • The city treats approximately 1,500,000 gallons of wastewater per day.
    Sewer Department

  • Yes, we can check the city-owned sewer main and help locate the problem before you call a plumber.
    Sewer Department

  • The wastewater plant and key pump stations have auxiliary generators to keep them running in the event of a power outage. Sewer service will not be interrupted.
    Sewer Department

  • Nine people work for the Sewer Department. This includes the department supervisor, four operators, laboratory specialist, lead operator, maintenance mechanic, and pretreatment coordinator.
    Sewer Department

  • The last upgrade and expansion cost approximately $13 million. This project added to the existing plant which was built in 1974 for approximately $4.5 million.
    Sewer Department

  • Yes, the public can tour the wastewater treatment plant and we'd be happy to have you visit, call 360-757-4085 to schedule a tour.
    Sewer Department

City Attorney

6

  • No, the city attorney's client is the City of Burlington. The city attorney is prohibited from providing legal advice to private citizens.
    City Attorney

  • The Burlington Prosecuting Attorney handles only the prosecution of criminal misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and infractions committed within the city limits of Burlington. The Skagit County Prosecutors Office contains both civil and criminal functions and handles the prosecution of felony cases, misdemeanors that occur outside the city limits of Burlington and all juvenile cases.
    City Attorney

  • City ordinances and resolutions can be found on our website under City Government here. This site also carries the Burlington Municipal Code which contains codified ordinances. 

    City Attorney

  • The city attorney is the attorney for the City of Burlington. The city attorney provides legal services to the mayor, City Council, finance director, as well as for city departments, boards, commissions and offices of the City of Burlington. The Office also prosecutes violations of the Burlington City Code, but not any violations of state law.

    The County Prosecuting Attorney is an elected official who investigates and prosecutes criminal activity (other than violations of the Burlington City Code) throughout Skagit County. Find out more about the prosecuting attorney's office to get a better understanding of what the prosecuting attorney is responsible for.
    City Attorney

  • Claim for Damages forms are available in Finance Department at city hall, or you may use the Claim for Damages form provided on this website. Fill in all pertinent information and return it to Finance Department with any substantiating documents, including but not limited to: damage estimates, photographs, incident reports, medical bills, etc. Please make necessary copies prior to submittal.

    The information will be immediately forwarded to the city's insurance authority pool (Washington Cities Insurance Authority). They will proceed with an investigation of the claim and respond to claimant directly regardless of whether the claim has been accepted or will be denied.

    Should the need arise for you or a witness to report an incident that did not result in damage to you or your personal property, an Incident Report can be filed with the City Clerk; please fill in all pertinent information and return it to Finance Department
    City Attorney

  • The information will be immediately forwarded to the city's insurance authority pool (Washington Cities Insurance Authority). They will proceed with an investigation of the claim and respond to claimant directly regardless of whether the claim has been accepted or will be denied. Again, this is strictly for insurance items that are submitted for claims not tortious claims. Those claims must be filed with the finance director.
    City Attorney

Domestic Violence

9

  • A knowing and willful course of conduct directed at you which seriously alarms you, annoys you, or harasses you, and serves no legitimate or lawful purpose; would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and actually causes substantial emotional distress to you.
    Domestic Violence

  • A series of acts over a period of time, however short, with an on-going purpose.
    Domestic Violence

  • The Court considers the following:
    • Is the respondent, the person who is harassing you, contacting you or are you contacting each other?
    • Has the respondent been clearly told that you do not want any further contact?
    • Is the respondent's behavior alarming, annoying, or harassing you?
    • Are the respondent's actions interfering with your privacy or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive living environment for you?
    • Has the respondent's contact with you been previously limited by a court order?
    Domestic Violence

  • An Antiharassment Order is a special type of restraining order which is available only to victims of harassment. It is a civil order of the court telling the person who harassed you not to bother you again. The police are notified of your Antiharassment Order. The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state. An Antiharassment Order can:
    • Restrain the respondent from contacting you
    • Restrain the respondent from keeping you under surveillance
    • Require the respondent to stay a stated distance away from your home or workplace
    Domestic Violence

  • No, the law has been designed so you can get an Order for Antiharassment without a lawyer by filling out the forms yourself. You are seeking an order of the court without the help of an attorney, you will have the paperwork and legwork to do. It is not unusual for this to take several hours.
    Domestic Violence

  • You can get the forms free at Skagit County District Court. Fill out the forms as completely as possible giving the court written information about what has happened and why you need the court order. The clerk is not allowed to give legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney. Take your completed form to the clerk who will explain how to file them. A hearing date will be set before a judge or court commissioner. This hearing will be within two weeks. The respondent must be served with the papers you have filed and with the notice of the hearing. Service is very important and must occur before you can get your one-year Antiharassment Order. The court can order law enforcement to serve the respondent with these papers. At the Antiharassment Order hearing, the court will decide whether to sign your order and may make some changes. The Order for Antiharassment will generally last for a maximum of one year or maybe longer if necessary. Emergency Protection
    If you are in immediate danger, you may obtain a "Temporary Order for Antiharassment" prior to your full hearing in two weeks. Ask for and fill out the forms for a Temporary Antiharassment Order. You will see the judge or court commissioner the same day you file your papers and may need to explain why you need immediate protection, if you have filed the paperwork at a reasonable time. You should not expect to see a judge if you wait until the end of the day to file your paperwork. You must show reasonable proof of unlawful harassment by the respondent and that great or irreparable harm will be the result if the Temporary Antiharassment Protection Order is not granted. The Judge can grant you a Temporary Order which will be served on the respondent, along with the notice of the hearing for the one year Antiharassment Order. The Temporary Order will expire on the date of the hearing for the one year Antiharassment Order. You must attend the full hearing to extend your Temporary Order for Antiharassment.
    Domestic Violence

  • The filing fee is $53.00. The courts will charge an additional $5.00 fee for copies and certification charges for the first page and charges for each additional page. Take a look at the Clerk Fee Schedule. There may also be a charge for having copies delivered to (served on) the respondent. If you cannot afford the fees, the court may allow you to go ahead without paying. Ask for and complete the form requesting a fee waiver.
    Domestic Violence

  • You may not obtain a temporary Order for Antiharassment if you have already had two temporary orders against the respondent and not obtained the one-year order, unless you can show the court good cause for failing to get the one-year order. If you need to renew your one-year order, you may reapply by filing a new petition within three months before the expiration of your order.
    Domestic Violence

  • Any willful disobedience of the Antiharassment Order by the respondent shall subject the respondent to criminal penalties and the respondent may also be found in contempt of court.
    Domestic Violence

Parks & Recreation

10

  • Burlignton's fall youth soccer program is managed by Burlington Parks & Recreation. Visit the burlingtonwa.gov/soccer for more information. 

    Registration is open from May 1 to June 30 each year, for the coming fall season. 

    • You may register online during this time period. 
    • In-person registration is also available at Burlington Parks & Recreation, 900 E. Fairhaven Avenue (East Entrance off Regent Street). View Business Hours

    A comprehensive list of community youth sports programs in Skagit County, categorized by sport, is managed by Skagit Kid Insider.

    Parks & Recreation

  • The community garden is located just north of the Skagit River Park's Whitmarsh Road entrance. It is next door to the Whitmarsh Horseshoe Pit Covered Picnic Shelter at 1720 Whitmarsh Road. Go to our Pea Patch Community Garden page for general information and application form in both English and Spanish.
    Parks & Recreation

  • Please view our quick "How To" guide linked below.
    Parks & Recreation

  • Burlington's little league is managed by Burlington-Edison Little League (BELL). Visit their website for league and registration information.

    Call BELL at 360-755-1743 for rain-out information. BELL typically updates rain-out information by 3:30 p.m. daily.
    Parks & Recreation

  • Youth football and cheerleading in Burlington is organized by Burlington-Edison Youth Football and Cheerleading League (BEYFCL). Visit BEYFCL's website for more information: Burlington Edison Youth Football & Cheer League - Home

    Parks & Recreation

  • A Permit Application should be submitted to the City of Burlington if: 1. The event will be held on City public streets, sidewalks, walkways, trails or on other publicly owned property, OR 2. The event interferes with normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic and/or requires the use of City services, OR 3. The event is on private property, but cannot be self-contained (i.e. parking spills over onto City owned public property) and/or requires the use of City services, and/or closure of City streets. Submit the following application to the City at least (60) days in advance of your event date. Special Event Application Special Event Regulations
    Parks & Recreation

  • The readerboard located at the corner of Fairhaven Avenue and Burlington Boulevard is used by the City to advertise City sponsored & City co-sponsored programs and events only. Organizers of co-sponsored events may complete the application linked below.
    Parks & Recreation

  • The Burlington Senior Center is situated in Maiben Park at 1011 Greenleaf Avenue, between Regent and S. Skagit Streets.  They welcome visitors Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:00PM, excluding federal holidays.

    For more information about their programs, contact the Senior Center at 360-755-0102 or by visiting their website: Welcome to the Burlington Senior Center

     Need driving directions?

    Parks & Recreation

  • You can contact the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department by calling 360-755-9649, faxing 360-755-1017, emailing, or visiting:

    900 E. Fairhaven Ave.

    Burlington, WA 98233

    Parks & Recreation

  • For more information on Skagit County's Meals on Wheels program, contact Skagit County Senior Services at 360-416-1500 or via Email at communityservices@co.skagit.wa.us.

    Parks & Recreation

Municipal Court

6

  • You can find your court date by logging onto the JIS site for Washington courts or call the Burlington Municipal Court at 360-755-0492.

    Municipal Court

  • View the requirements on the infraction procedure page.

    Municipal Court

  • If you are unable to pay your entire penalty at the time of the hearing, you may request a time pay agreement. 

    This is a contract with the court for installment payments, which you must follow. 

    Failure to make agreed payments can result in late fees, possible suspension of your driver's license and assignment to a collection agency. There will be a $10 charge for infraction time pay agreements.

    Municipal Court

  • To make an online payment, click here to access the Burlington Municipal Court's third-party payment system.

    There is a service fee for processing payment(s) online.

     Other payment options: 

    To make a payment by phone, please call (877) 793-8935 Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm and Sat - Sun 10am - 2pm EST.  

    There is a service fee for processing payment(s) over the phone. The total charge amount will be displayed prior to submitting the payment.               

    Once you have submitted your payment, you will receive an email letting you know if your payment has been accepted or rejected. Allow three business days for online payment processing. We cannot ensure that any FTA (Failure to appear or pay) will be cleared sooner than three days after payment. 

    Municipal Court

  • Anyone may attend Burlington Municipal Court hearings on the first, second and third Wednesdays of the month. 

    Hearings start at 8:30 a.m. with the last proceeding starting at 2:30 p.m.  

    Jury Trials are usually the last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the month beginning at 8:00 am.

    The most active hearings to watch would be the 9:30 a.m. hearings. These hearings can be very interesting and educational to those unfamiliar with court proceedings.

    Municipal Court

  • The Burlington Municipal Court is located at 311 Cedar St. in the Public Safety Building along with the Police Department.  It is located between Burlington Boulevard and Spruce Street on the north side of Fred Meyer, across from the roller skating rink.

    Municipal Court

Book Group Support

7

  • Reserve the Gentry meeting room at the library. Visit the reserve a meeting room page to make an online reservation.

    If you'd rather meet elsewhere locally, consider local restaurants, coffee houses, co-ops, and churches.
    Book Group Support

  • If you're looking for book reviews, author biographies, or other resources concerning your book, we're here to help. Just ask at the front desk, or complete the ask a librarian form.
    Book Group Support

  • Our staff members have plenty of knowledge and enthusiasm to share.
    Book Group Support

  • Let us know. Complete the ask a librarian form and type in "book group help" as your subject. If we get 10 or more participants, we'll schedule an afternoon workshop.
    Book Group Support

  • Ask us for a consultation. Together we can come up with some ideas to get things running smoothly.
    Book Group Support

  • Give us a list of books your group has enjoyed (and not enjoyed) in the past, and we'll give you a list of suggested titles.
    Book Group Support

  • Use our interlibrary loan service to borrow your upcoming book club title from libraries in our region. Ask for more information at the front desk. Be sure and request the book 7-10 days before you want to start reading.
    Book Group Support

Library

2

  • View the Get a Library Card page.
    Library

  • Renew library materials online.
    Library

Public Works

4

  • View traffic counts.
    Public Works

  • The Burlington Public Works and Engineering Department generates all of these maps for public use. There is a cost for most copies of these maps according to size of print. View the city street map and index spreadsheet.
    Public Works

  • The Burlington Public Works and Engineering Department can help you with this information. They have copies of plans (as-builts) of previously constructed buildings showing where the utilities connected to the Burlington utility system. You can request this information by visiting their office, faxing a request to 360-755-0783, or by calling 360-755-9715. The cost of copies of as-builts is $4 a sheet.
    Public Works

  • The Burlington Public Works and Engineering Department has in their archives records of monuments in various areas of the city showing the elevations. You can request this information by visiting their office, faxing a request to 360-755-0783, or by calling 360-755-9715. There is no cost for this information.
    Public Works

Police

5

  • You can receive a copy of your police report Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. For more information, click on
    Police

  • Dog licenses are issued by the police department and need to be renewed annually. For more information and to fill out the form online, click on
    Police

  • Registering your bicycle with the police department is only done once and is free of charge. For more information and to fill out the form online, click on
    Police

  • Fingerprinting is done Tuesday through Friday by appointment only. For more information, click on
    Police

  • In 2004, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale, use or possession of fireworks within the city limits of Burlington. Any public display of fireworks will require a permit and payment for that permit. The application for such a permit shall be made to the fire chief and must also have the approval of the police chief. If you have any other questions, you can contact the Burlington Police Department at 360-755-0921, Monday thru Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
    Police
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