Longview Property Records Lookup
Longview property records are held by Cowlitz County, which manages parcel data, ownership information, tax assessments, and recorded documents for this Cowlitz County city of roughly 41,000 residents. If you need to find who owns a property, check an assessed value, or look up a recorded deed in Longview, the Cowlitz County Assessor and Auditor are your main resources. This page walks through what records exist, how to search them, and what the law says about property records in Longview.
Longview Overview
Cowlitz County Offices That Handle Longview Records
Longview is the county seat of Cowlitz County. All property records for Longview are maintained by Cowlitz County offices. There is no city-level property record database. The three main offices to know are the Cowlitz County Assessor, the Cowlitz County Treasurer, and the Cowlitz County Auditor.
The Cowlitz County Assessor values all taxable property in Longview for tax purposes. The assessor's mission is accuracy, equity, and fairness in property valuation. Under RCW 84.40.020, all real property is valued as of January 1 each year at 100% of true and fair market value. The office maintains parcel maps, ownership records, and property characteristic data. Their contact email is assessor@cowlitzwa.gov and phone is (360) 577-3010. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The assessor is Emily Wilcox.
The Cowlitz County Treasurer bills and collects property taxes for Longview. First-half taxes are due April 30. Second-half taxes are due October 31. The Treasurer manages tax foreclosure for delinquent properties and can provide payoff information and payment plans. It is important to know that the assessor does not set the dollar amount of taxes owed. That amount depends on levy rates set by each taxing district combined with your assessed value.
The Cowlitz County Auditor records all legal instruments affecting real property in Longview. Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, and easements are all filed here. The Auditor's office is at 207 N 4th Ave, Room 206, Kelso, WA 98626. Phone is (360) 577-3002. Hours run Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can search the Auditor's public records online at the county website. The Auditor also handles elections, vehicle licensing, and marriage licensing.
Search Longview Parcel Data Online
The Cowlitz County Assessor's website gives you online access to Longview property records. You can search by address or parcel number at co.cowlitz.wa.us/assessor. Results show the current owner, assessed value, property description, and other details. The assessor also provides an Assessor Map tool for viewing parcel boundaries. For a link to the online property search, look for the Quick Links section on the assessor's page.
The screenshot below shows the Cowlitz County Assessor's website, which serves as the primary parcel database for Longview: Cowlitz County Assessor for Longview property search and tax information.
The Cowlitz County Assessor maintains property assessments, parcel maps, and ownership records for all Longview properties, with levy rate reports and exemption information also available online.
For recorded documents like deeds and liens, use the Auditor's Public Record Search at the county website. The Auditor offers a tutorial on how to use the search tool. You can search by grantor or grantee name, recording date, or document type. Electronic recording is available for qualified submitters. Older documents may require an in-person visit to the county offices in Kelso.
The Washington Department of Revenue also maintains a state-level directory of all county assessor and treasurer sites at dor.wa.gov. That directory links directly to Cowlitz County's portals and is a useful starting point if you are not sure where to go.
Note: For historical Cowlitz County property records, the Washington State Archives Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds older assessor record cards that can assist in chain-of-title research for Longview properties.
City of Longview Permits and Planning
The City of Longview handles land use planning, building permits, and code enforcement separately from the county's property record system. The city's Community Development Department oversees building, planning, code enforcement, and grant administration. GIS maps showing zoning, garbage pickup routes, and bus routes are available through the city's website at mylongview.com.
The screenshot below shows the City of Longview's official website, which provides access to permits and planning resources: City of Longview official website for GIS maps, permits, and community development information.
Longview's Community Development Department handles building permits, planning applications, and code enforcement, while Cowlitz County manages parcel valuations and recorded documents.
If you need to research a Longview property's permit history, check with the City of Longview's planning and public works division. Building inspections and permit applications go through the city. For zoning questions, the city's GIS map portal shows current zoning designations for any address in Longview. City records are separate from county assessor and auditor records, so you may need to check both depending on what you need.
Property Assessments and Exemptions in Longview
The Cowlitz County Assessor revalues all Longview properties on a continuous basis, as required by RCW 84.41.030. Each parcel must reflect its value as of January 1. The assessor neither sets nor collects taxes. The tax amount depends on the levy rates set by each taxing district that covers the parcel, including the city of Longview, the county, local school districts, and fire protection districts.
The assessor administers several relief programs for qualifying Longview property owners. The senior and disabled persons tax exemption can lower the taxable portion of assessed value. A homeowners limited income deferral program is also available. Classified land programs for farm, forest, and open space parcels may apply to some properties. For exemption inquiries, email exemptions@cowlitzwa.gov. For current use inquiries, email currentuse@cowlitzwa.gov.
If you disagree with your assessed value, you can appeal to the Cowlitz County Board of Equalization. The appeal guide and petition form are available on the assessor's website. Filing deadlines apply, so check the assessor's important dates calendar before submitting.
Under Chapter 36.21 RCW, county assessors have the authority to determine the value of all taxable real and personal property. Assessor records including ownership data and assessed values are public records open to inspection.
Recording Property Documents in Longview
When property in Longview is sold or refinanced, the deed or deed of trust must be recorded with the Cowlitz County Auditor. Under RCW 65.08.070, any instrument that creates, transfers, or assigns an interest in real property constitutes a conveyance and must be recorded to protect the grantee's rights against later claimants. The county auditor has a duty to record any document that appears on its face to affect title, as long as the recording fee is paid.
Before the auditor records a real estate transfer, the county treasurer must confirm that all property taxes are paid. The Real Estate Excise Tax under RCW 82.45 applies to all sales and is typically paid at closing. Electronic recording is available through the Auditor's office for title companies and other authorized parties. The Auditor's website also includes a recording notification service and information on flagging racially restrictive covenants in older recorded documents.
Cowlitz County Property Records
Longview is in Cowlitz County. All parcel data, assessed values, and recorded documents for Longview properties flow through county offices. For a complete look at Cowlitz County resources, office addresses, and search tools, visit the Cowlitz County property records page.
Nearby Cities
Vancouver is the nearest major qualifying city and has its own property records page.