Columbia County Property Records

Columbia County property records are managed by the Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer offices in Dayton, Washington. With a population of about 3,900, Columbia County is one of the smallest counties in Washington. The county offices handle all parcel valuations, recorded instruments, and tax accounts for the area. This page outlines how to find Columbia County property records through the county and state resources available online and in person.

Columbia County Property Records Overview

Columbia County is a small, rural county in southeastern Washington. Property records here are public under Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Washington Public Records Act. The Assessor determines value for all taxable real and personal property, the Auditor maintains the official repository of recorded documents, and the Treasurer bills and collects property taxes. All three offices are in Dayton, the county seat.

Under Chapter 36.21 RCW, the county assessor's primary role is to ensure equitable property valuations across all parcels in the county. Washington law requires that all real property be assessed at 100% of true and fair market value as of January 1 each year, per RCW 84.40.020. Columbia County's Assessor currently inspects properties on a six-year physical inspection cycle, inspecting roughly one-sixth of the county every year. New construction is inspected countywide each year. Continuous revaluation is required by RCW 84.41.030.

The small size of Columbia County means the offices are more accessible and approachable than in larger counties. Staff can often assist with property research requests directly by phone or email.

Columbia County Assessor

The Columbia County Assessor determines the value of all taxable real and personal property in the county for the purpose of distributing tax liabilities in an equitable manner. Tammy Ketterman serves as the current Assessor, supported by Chief Deputy Melanie Mings and Administrative Clerk Andrew Wade. The office recently moved to 115 E Main Street Suite 6 in Dayton, WA 99328. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone is 509-382-2131.

The Assessor's office handles tax exemption records for churches, historical properties, public properties, open space and forest land programs, and senior citizen exemptions. For the 2027 tax year, the senior/disabled income limit was updated to $57,000 under Engrossed Substitute ESSB 6162. Applications for this exemption must be submitted with proof of income to the Assessor's office during the 2026 application year. If you have questions, email the staff directly at tammy_ketterman@columbiacountywa.gov, melanie_mings@columbiacountywa.gov, or andrew_wade@columbiacountywa.gov.

Business owners in Columbia County must file a personal property listing with the Assessor's Office by April 30 each year. Forms and informational materials are available on the county website. RCW 84.40.025 confirms that the Assessor has the right to access all properties in the county for assessment purposes.

The Columbia County Assessor at columbiaco.com/Assessor provides property valuations, exemption programs, and parcel data for all taxable property in the county.

The Assessor's office in Dayton handles all real and personal property valuations for Columbia County and administers senior, church, and open-space tax exemption programs.

Columbia County GIS and Property Search

Columbia County GIS maintains the county's digital maps, databases, data analysis, and GIS-based inventories. The GIS section is reachable through the county website at columbiaco.com/GIS. The county provides an online web map accessible via the ArcGIS platform, GIS data requests, printable PDF maps, and hard copy paper maps. The GIS Senior Specialist is John Guillotte; the public works office handling GIS is at 415 Guernsey Avenue, Dayton, WA 99328.

The online web map includes parcel boundaries and layers for general geographic research. Columbia County notes that map layers have limited accuracy and users should verify any information through additional field research or records review. The county is actively working to update and improve its map data, which is an ongoing process. For precise boundary information, contacting the GIS office directly is the best approach.

The Columbia County GIS portal at columbiaco.com/GIS provides an online web map for property parcel searches and downloadable county map resources.

The county GIS system provides an online web map and downloadable PDF maps for Columbia County property parcels and geographic data.

Recording Property in Columbia County

The Columbia County Auditor serves as the official county recorder under RCW 36.22.010. The Auditor records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, surveys, and other instruments required by Washington law. The Auditor's office is the official repository of recorded documents affecting real property in Columbia County. Recording provides constructive notice to third parties and establishes priority of interests.

Under RCW 65.08.070, unrecorded instruments may be void against subsequent purchasers who record without notice of the prior transfer. This makes recording with the Auditor essential for anyone who acquires an interest in Columbia County real property. Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee set by statute. The Auditor's main office is at the courthouse in Dayton; the main county phone is 509-382-4542 (county main line varies by department).

Note: For document recording details and current fees, contact the Columbia County Auditor directly at the county offices in Dayton. The county website at columbiaco.com has the current contact information for each department.

Columbia County Treasurer

The Columbia County Treasurer is the custodian of all county funds and manages financial records for the county and its governmental subdivisions. Carla Rowe serves as Treasurer, with Heidi James as Deputy Treasurer. The Treasurer bills and collects all real and personal property taxes certified on the tax rolls of the county, and handles foreclosure proceedings for properties with non-payment of tax. Funds held in the county treasury are invested for the benefit of various funds under statutory guidelines.

The Treasurer handles Real Estate Excise Tax under RCW 82.45 for all property transfers in Columbia County. Tax levy sheets going back to 2007 are available on the county website for public review. The Treasurer also handles bonded indebtedness for the county and its governmental subdivisions. Online payment options are available. If your property is subject to foreclosure proceedings, the county website has FAQs covering the process including how to remove property from foreclosure and how interest and penalties accrue on delinquent taxes.

The Columbia County Treasurer at columbiaco.com/Treasurer handles property tax billing, collection, foreclosure, and Real Estate Excise Tax for all properties in the county.

The Treasurer's office manages all property tax collection and foreclosure proceedings for Columbia County, with online payment options and tax levy data going back to 2007.

Additional Columbia County Property Resources

The Washington Department of Revenue provides a directory linking to Columbia County's assessor and treasurer websites. The DOR also publishes the County Assessor's Manual and offers general guidance on how property taxes work across Washington. This is a solid starting point for understanding the assessment framework that Columbia County follows.

Historical property records for Columbia County are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The Digital Archives provides free online access to old deeds, plat maps, survey records, and other historical instruments from the county. For a small county like Columbia, historical records can go back to territorial days and are useful for tracing ownership history on rural parcels.

The MRSC overview of county assessor responsibilities explains how the Board of Equalization works and how property owners can appeal their assessed values. In Columbia County, the Board of Equalization handles formal appeals after the Assessor sets values. The Washington Attorney General's recording opinion also applies to Columbia County: the Auditor must record qualifying documents when the proper fee is tendered.

Note: Columbia County is one of the smallest counties in Washington. For specific questions about property records, calling the offices directly and speaking with staff is often the most efficient approach.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes Dayton (the county seat) and Starbuck. No cities in Columbia County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. All property records for communities in the county are handled through the county offices in Dayton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Columbia County in southeastern Washington. Each has its own offices for property records.