Arcata City Hall Department Contact Information & COVID-19 Procedures

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Arcata City Hall is open for in-person services from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.

City staff will continue to be available to assist the public online or by phone between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and community members are encouraged to utilize remote City service options. Information on obtaining City services remotely and a complete list of department contact information can be found below:

Building & Engineering

• Permit applications and other questions pertaining to building permits and inspections can be made by email at [email protected] or call (707) 822-5956 or (707) 825-2128.
• Encroachment permits, sewer lateral certificates and other Building & Engineering inquiries can be emailed to [email protected] or call (707) 825-2128.
• For Streetlights and Water & Sewer inquiries, please email [email protected] or call (707) 825-2175.
• To help avoid the spread of COVID-19 at construction job sites, the City of Arcata requires that all active construction job sites within the City follow new safety protocols until further notice. Please click here to learn more.

Business License, Transient Occupancy Tax, or Dog License Inquiries

• Apply for a Business License here.
• Transient Occupancy Tax and Dog License forms may be obtained here and submitted with payment via mail or drop boxes located in the City Hall parking lot off of 7th Street and next to the USPS mailbox outside City Hall on F Street.
• Please call (707) 822-5951 (dial 1, then 2, to reach a live representative) or email [email protected] for further information.

City Manager's Office

• General inquiries, email [email protected] or call (707) 822-5953.
• Public records requests can be made by emailing the City Clerk at [email protected].
• For employment and internship related inquiries, email [email protected] or call (707) 825-2135.
• For inquiries regarding bid solicitations or requests for proposals, email [email protected] or call (707) 825-2101.

City Meetings & Events

• Members of the community may watch City Council and Planning Commission meetings live online here, on our YouTube channel or on television via Access Humboldt Channel 10.
• Instructions on how to observe and participate in City meetings will be provided in the meeting agenda, which will typically be distributed the Friday before each meeting takes place. Meeting agendas can be found here.

Americans with Disabilities Act Meeting Accommodations

• Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email the City Clerk at [email protected] or call (707) 822-5953. The City Clerk will use their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as possible while maintaining public safety.

Community Development

Environmental Services & Recreation

• Please email [email protected] or call (707) 822-8184 to reach the Environmental Services Department.
• The Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center is open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The center is closed Monday through Friday.
• Public Open Spaces, Public Trails, City Parks, the Arcata Community Forest, the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary remain open. Community members are encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while enjoying public trails.
• The Arcata Skate Park and City playing courts are open for individual or single-household use. Community members must wear face coverings and practice social distancing while enjoying these facilities.
• Email [email protected] or call (707) 822-7091 to reach the Recreation Division.
• Some recreation programs have been suspended until further notice. For questions regarding ongoing and future recreation programs, please click here or call (707) 822- 7901.
• For facility rental information please click here or call (707) 822-7091.

Water & Sewer Billing

• The Finance Department will continue to receive water and sewer payments during this time.
• Residents have the option to pay water and sewer bills online by clicking here or by phone by calling the City's automated bill system at (707) 827-1114. Credit cards, Debit cards and ACH/eChecks will be accepted.
• For cash or check transactions, drop boxes are located in the City Hall parking lot off of 7th Street and next to the USPS mailbox outside City Hall on F Street.
• Please call (707) 822-5951 (dial 1, then 2, to reach a live representative) or email [email protected] to make special service requests, in-person appointments or for all other City-related billing inquiries.

Police Services

• Emergency services provided by the Arcata Police Department will continue to operate 24 hours a day.
• Parking tickets can be paid online here or by calling (707) 822-2428.
• Preferential Parking applications can be paid for and made online here.
• Alarm permit payments may be paid over the phone by calling (707) 822-2428.
• All cash or check payments may be dropped off at the drop box located outside the Police Department Office or mailed to City of Arcata Attn: APD.
• Records Requests may be submitted via email to [email protected] or faxed to (707) 822-7936.
• Live Scan fingerprinting services are offered by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM only. Call (707) 822-2428 to make an appointment.
• When calling 911 for emergency assistance, please let the dispatcher know if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Public Transportation

• Email Arcata & Mad River Transit inquiries to [email protected] or call (707) 822-3775.
• Bus patrons who require mobility devices are asked to contact City Cab at (707) 442-4555 to make alternative transportation arrangements two hours before their desired departure time.
• Humboldt County transit riders are encouraged to visit Humboldt Transit Authority's website at hta.org for information on bus lines operating outside of Arcata.
• Amtrak Tickets can be purchased at amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-872-7245.
• Greyhound tickets can be purchased at greyhound.com or by calling 1-800-231-2222.
• It is important for individuals to take safety precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially when traveling in public spaces. Bus passengers must comply with social distancing requirements to the greatest extent possible and wear a face covering or mask. Passengers are also encouraged to wear gloves.

Community members who have traveled, had visitors from out of the area or possibly been exposed to COVID-19 are urged to access City services remotely.

The City is dedicated to keeping the community and informed during this unprecedented time, and is taking these steps for the health and safety of the public.

Please visit humboldtgov.org for more local COVID-19 updates.

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