The Seattle Times: Consumer Guide

State Attorney General's Office
Call the consumer line and listen to tape 048, which provides information on landlord/tenant matters. Call the Complaint Inquiry line to request a copy of a brochure on the landlord/tenant law and a sample room-by-room checklist. The Attorney General's office refers complaints to other agencies.
900 Fourth Ave., Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98164-1012
Consumer line: 206-464-6811 or 800-551-4636.
Complaint Inquiry line: 206-464-6684
www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/lt/

Seattle Department of Planning and Development
Accepts complaints regarding housing- and maintenance-code violations, land use, weeds and vegetation ordinances, as well as new construction without a permit or permit violations and construction noise.
DPD Code Compliance, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019
206-684-7899
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/dclu

King County Department of Development and Environmental Services
Deals with complaints about building- and zoning-code violations in unincorporated King County. For information or to file a complaint, contact the Building Services Division, Code Enforcement:
900 Oakesdale Ave. S.W., Renton, WA 98055-1219
206-296-6680
codecom@metrokc.gov
www.metrokc.gov/ddes

Pierce County Code Enforcement
The Planning and Land Services Department accepts complaints regarding illegal dumping, animals, junk on property and setback violations.
2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma, WA 98409-7494
253-798-7158; complaint hotline, 253-798-3737; elsewhere, 800-992-2456
www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/palsmain.htm

Snohomish County Planning and Development Services
Accepts written complaints on building- and zoning-codes in unincorporated areas of the county.
Code Enforcement, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201
425-388-3311; outside Everett, 800-562-4367
www.co.snohomish.wa.us/pds/

The Tenants Union
Offers information to low-income tenants statewide; outside King County, however, services are limited. Tenants eligible for services are those with income levels less than 80 percent of the statewide median-income levels. Membership entitles you to priority access to their services as well as their "Renter's Kit." Fees are based on income.
In Seattle, 206-723-0500 on Wednesdays from noon-3 p.m. Hearing-impaired, 206-723-0523. Fax: (206) 725-3527
www.tenantsunion.org

Legal issues

Index

Dispute resolution
Most counties offer free or low-cost dispute resolution services. In King County:
206-443-9603
www.kcdrc.org

Northwest Justice Project
A not-for-profit statewide organization, offers free civil legal services and advice to low-income citizens, and seniors over 60 regardless of income, about housing, domestic violence, property issues, consumer issues and public entitlements. You must qualify under federal poverty guidelines.
In Seattle, 206-464-1519; elsewhere 888-201-1014; hearing impaired, 888-201-9737
www.nwjustice.org/ — or view the self-help library at www.washingtonlawhelp.org/WA/index.cfm, which is maintained by NJP.

King County Bar Association
Offers a variety of services for King County residents from free legal clinics and advice to self-help classes. Assistance is available to low-income citizens facing eviction as well. The association does not discipline or rate lawyers.
1200 Fifth Ave., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98101
206-267-7100
www.kcba.org

Northwest Women's Law Center
Offers a telephone information-and-referral line staffed by volunteer attorneys, law students and paralegals. A nonprofit organization, it serves both men and women, provides basic information to callers about legal rights and options, and refers callers to attorneys in private practice, community agencies or self-help programs.
3161 Elliott Ave., Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98121
206-621-7691; hearing-impaired, 206-521-4317
www.nwwlc.org

Washington State Bar Association
Accepts complaints about attorneys.
2101 Fourth Ave., Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330
206-443-9722 (206-443-WSBA) or 800-945-9722 (800-945-WSBA)
www.wsba.org

Living wills

Index

The Washington State Medical Association
Provides brochures on "advance directive to physicians," commonly called the living will. Download forms online, call or send a self-addressed stamped envelope for each copy.
WSMA, 2033 Sixth Ave., Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98121
206-441-9762 or 800-552-0612
www.wsma.org/patients/ (choose "Patient Brochures")

Legislature

Index

Want to tell your legislators a thing or two about what they're doing (or not doing) in Olympia? Leave a message on the Legislative hotline, or get e-mail addresses online.
800-562-6000
www1.leg.wa.gov/legislature

Licenses

Index

Driver's license information
You must apply for a driver's license within 30 days of becoming a Washington resident and be 18 years old unless you have passed an approved driver-education course, and have permission from your parent or guardian. The Department of Licenses has offices throughout the state.

In Seattle
Greenwood, 206-706-4268; Downtown, 206-464-6845; East/Rainier Avenue, 206-721-4560; North Seattle, 206-368-7261; West Seattle, 206-764-4144.

Outside Seattle
Bellevue, 425-649-4281; Bothell, 425-483-1739; Everett, 425-356-2967. In Tacoma: West office, 253-534-3218; and South, 253-593-2990.

For other locations throughout the state, check your phone book in the blue pages under Washington State License or see the Web site:
www.dol.wa.gov/drivers.htm

Going fishing?
Hunting and fishing licenses are now available online from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov

Also available are vehicle-use permits and the ability to file hunting and catch reports.
General information: 360-902-2464.
To purchase a recreational hunting or fishing license: 866-246-9453.

Motor vehicles:
Need to renew your license tabs, transfer a title, or submit a change of address for your car? Contact your county auditor's office. They can help locate a licensing agency in your neighborhood as well as answer questions pertaining to fees and documents you need to complete transactions.

For assistance in King County, Records, Elections and License Services:
206-296-4000
For Snohomish County, the Auditor's Vehicle Licensing office:
425-388-3371
For Pierce County, the Auditor's Vehicle/Vessel Licensing office:
253-798-3649

More information:
www.dol.wa.gov/cars.htm

Limousines and town cars

Index

Limousine Licensing Program
The Washington State Department of Licensing is responsible for licensing activities of limousine carriers. A limousine carrier is anyone who transports passengers, under a single contract and on a prearranged basis, to a specific destination or for a particular itinerary. For information, call or go online. File a complaint by e-mail or by writing to Master License Service, Attn. Regulatory Program Manager.
P.O. Box 9034, Olympia, WA 98507-9034
360-664-1400
collect@dol.wa.gov
www.dol.wa.gov/mls/limousine.htm

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