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Local Services
Minimum wage in unincorporated King County goes up on January 1
On New Year's Day, the minimum hourly wage in unincorporated King County will increase from $20.29 to $20.82 due to a yearly adjustment for inflation.
Smaller businesses will still have temporary exceptions, but those exceptions are being reduced each year as the new wage is phased in. Eventually, all businesses in unincorporated King County will pay the same minimum wage to all of their workers, and that wage will continue to be adjusted each year for inflation.
Here's a table showing the 2026 minimum wage exceptions:
If the employer
has…
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The 2026 minimum wage is…
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15 or fewer employees and an annual gross revenue of less than $2 million
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$18.32 per hour
($2.50 less)
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15 or fewer employees and an annual gross revenue of $2 million or more
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$19.82 per hour
($1.00 less)
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More than 15 employees but fewer than 500 employees and gross revenue of any amount
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$19.82 per hour
($1.00 less)
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Natural Resources and Parks
Two-way traffic restored on West Valley Highway South near Algona
Work on the new recycling and transfer station just north of the existing Algona Transfer Station reached a new milestone in October as crews finished major construction on West Valley Highway South. The road is now open to traffic in both directions. Crews will finish striping, sign installation, guardrails, and fencing along the highway in the coming months. Travelers can expect construction activity and intermittent single lane closures, but major traffic impacts in this area are now in the rear-view mirror.
The new station is scheduled to open to the public as soon as next summer. Nearby businesses are open throughout construction. Visit the project website to learn more, stay informed about upcoming work, and see real-time images of progress. You can also sign up to receive email updates about the project.
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Public Health
What to know about recent bird flu detections
 Photo: Canada geese in a park
Fall bird migration is peaking, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture has reported that bird flu is present in birds across Washington. Infections in humans are still rare—only 71 cases are known in the U.S., including one Grays Harbor County resident. At this time, there are no known cases of bird flu spreading from person to person, and the risk to the public from bird flu is low.
However, poultry owners and people who work with or have recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals are at higher risk and should take precautions.
What you can do
• Stay away from any dead or sick wild birds, animals, and their droppings.
• Cook poultry, meat, and eggs thoroughly. Don’t eat them raw or undercooked.
• Drink pasteurized milk only. Avoid raw milk.
• Wash hands and surfaces before and after handling meat and eggs.
If you have chickens or other poultry
If your birds appear sick, wear an N95 mask, goggles, and gloves when caring for them and don’t bring them into your home. Contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. You can also find information on how to protect your flocks on the department's Bird Flu website, and learn more about bird flu on the Washington State Department of Health website.
New environmental health permitting system to launch on December 10
Public Health – Seattle and King County’s Environmental Health Services Division is launching a new permitting system on December 10. The new system, called the Public Health Permit Center, will be used for food business permits, on-site sewage system applications, plumbing and gas piping permitting and plan review, and more.
Environmental health permitting system services will be closed through Tuesday, December 9 to prepare for the transition. During this temporary closure, customers will not be able to submit new applications or make payments.
Learn more about the new Public Health Permit Center
New educational resources for people on septic systems
There are more than 85,000 septic systems across King County, and nearly two thirds of them are older and vulnerable to failure.
Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Septic Matters newsletter gives practical tips for septic maintenance and financing options. The latest edition has information on how to get your septic records, a septic rebate up to $500, and more. Subscribe to get seasonal information delivered to your inbox.
In urban King County, Public Health is working to identify wastewater solutions for aging septic systems, including connecting to a public sewer or replacing a septic system. Explore a new comic that describes one family’s journey from a septic system to sewer: Resources to understand septic to sewer conversions. The comic is available in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, Somali, and Vietnamese.
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Tips for staying safe during winter storms
When winter storms bring high winds and heavy rain, keep yourself and your family safe with the following tips:
• Move inside and away from windows during high winds, and tie down umbrellas and outdoor furniture. Keep away from downed power lines.
• During heavy rains, clear storm drains around your home and on your street to help prevent pooling. Never walk or drive through flood water.
• When the power is out, prevent carbon monoxide poisoning! Never use a gas stove indoors or run a car in a closed garage. To keep warm, stay together in a closed room with layers of clothes and blankets. Find more information and graphics in several languages at gov/carbonmonoxide.
• Avoid food poisoning after a power outage. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. During long outages, move perishable food to a cooler with frozen items. Throw out foods that have been above 40°F (4.5° C) for over 4 hours. Find more information in several languages on the King County website.
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Law enforcement
Would you like to help create a more fair and just policing and public safety system?
King County needs community members to serve on its Community Advisory Committee for Law Enforcement. The committee recommends ways to improve the policies, practices and operations
of the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Members learn about how people experience policing by the Sheriff's Office, collaborate with passionate community members to better address community needs, and serve as resources in the community. They help make sure that community feedback informs the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, the Sheriff's Office, and the King County Council.
They also advise on issues of equity and social justice within police practices and support community-led work to fuel positive change in the public safety system.
Apply on the King County website
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Emergency preparedness
Holiday fire safety
King County Emergency Management reminds you to keep fire safety basics in mind when you gather to celebrate this holiday season.
Holiday lighting safety
• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that could burn. Make sure candles are in holders and cannot be knocked down easily.
• Check your holiday lights for frayed or pinched wires and broken bulbs. Throw away strands that are damaged.
• If you put up a fresh tree, water it daily and dispose of it after Christmas or when it dries out.
If there is a fire, remember the PASS method when using fire extinguishers
Pull the pin.
Aim toward the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever and
Sweep back and forth slowly until the flames are gone.
If the fire is too large or there is too much smoke to see well, leave the building immediately and call 911. Do not try to put the flames out yourself.
Learn more: Put a Freeze on Winter Fires and King County's fire emergency preparedness page
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Animal services
December adoption special
The weather is turning chilly—why not warm up with a pet from Regional Animal Services of King County? Through December, you can adopt a cat or dog for just $30—the cost of a King County pet license. What a holiday gift to your family: a friend for life! Check out all the pets waiting for you at Adopt a Pet.
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WSU Extension Forestry
Learn about the birds in your forest at this Preston workshop
Are you curious about the birds that call your forest home, and how small forest landowners can manage their forestland to benefit our local feathered friends? Check out this upcoming workshop from Washington State University Extension Forestry and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
After a lecture, participants will build wooden nesting boxes with provided materials. The workshop will also include a short bird-watching session. The cost is $20 per person, and pre‑registration is required. Details and registration
The Birds in Your Forest
Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Preston Community Center, 8625 310th Avenue SE
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:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton
See blog for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Third Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Muckleshoot Library (King County Library branch)
39917 Auburn Enumclaw Road SE, Auburn
Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information email Nancy Merrill.
:: Fall City Community Association
First Tuesdays – Hybrid meeting (virtual and in-person, 7-8:30 p.m.)
Fall City Fire Department meeting room
4301 334th Place SE, Fall City
The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org or email send email.
:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
Monday, December 1, 7-9:30 p.m. – in person or via Zoom
Maple Valley Fire Station
22225 SE 231st Street (across from King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3)
Visit the website for meeting agendas and Zoom information, which are posted a few days before each meeting.
:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. They engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page.
:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, email Liz Giba.
:: Skyway Coalition
See the coalition's website.
:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For information about the council, email Patricia Gustafson or visit the Facebook page and/or website.
:: Vashon-Maury Community Council
Meetings are open to all and are held on the third Thursday of each month, both online and in-person. Topics include affordable housing, ferries, election candidates, transportation, aviation noise, and more. The council sets up committees and passes resolutions to King County and other organizations as needed. Voting membership is free and open to residents 18 and older. To learn more, visit the website.
:: West Hill Community Association
Meetings are in person or via Zoom
Skyway Fire District 20 Admin Building
12424 76th Avenue S, Seattle
Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, send email or visit the website.
Photo: Forum members tour a future habitat restoration site along the Snoqualmie River in July 2024.
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