Arcata

City offices

Start with the task in front of you.

Arcata is incorporated. Start with the city for work inside its limits, while Humboldt County still handles property records, taxes, courts, elections, many benefits, and county alerts. Humboldt County handles local public health.

1. Property

   Assessed value, exemptions, tax bills, and appeals

   Humboldt County assessor handles value and exemptions. The clerk of the board handles a formal value appeal. The tax collector handles the bill, payment, and penalties.

   Open the property-tax guide →
2. Records

   Deeds, birth and death records, marriage records, and name changes

   Humboldt County recorder is the usual office for deeds and many public records. Vital-record access depends on the record and year. A legal name change or divorce decree can involve Superior Court.

   Open the records guide →
3. Property work

   Building permits, ADUs, zoning, code, water, and septic

   Start with the city planning or building office for an address inside Arcata. Start with the county for an address outside local limits.

   Open local-office help →
4. Housing

   Rent rules, repairs, notices, and eviction papers

   Start with a local rent, housing, or code office if one serves the address. Court papers go to the Superior Court self-help path, and the deadline on the papers keeps running.

   Open rent and housing help →
5. Household help

   CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, General Assistance, and IHSS

   Humboldt County social-services agency is the main local office. Coverage, food, cash aid, and in-home support remain separate programs with separate notices.

   Open the benefits guide →
6. Public health

   Vaccines, disease reporting, health records, and local health programs

   Humboldt County public health is the local health jurisdiction. Health coverage and benefits still use separate programs and offices.

   Open health and benefits help →
7. Business

   Business setup, seller's permits, local licenses, and regulated work

   State filings and tax accounts do not replace Arcata zoning, licensing, building, fire, or health approvals for the address.

   Open the business guide →
8. Neighborhood services

   Potholes, streetlights, graffiti, trash, and service requests

   For a city-maintained street or service inside Arcata, start with the local request system. County roads, Caltrans routes, utilities, private property, and separate service providers use different reporting systems.

   Open local-office help →
9. School and care

   School enrollment, student records, and child-care checks

   The school district handles assignment and records. County offices can help with some family services, while the state licenses child-care facilities.

   Open the school and care guide →
10. Parking

    Residential, guest, overnight, and local parking permits

    A local parking permit is separate from a citation, moving ticket, and toll notice. Match the permit to the address, vehicle, district, or parking facility.

    Open parking help →
11. Tickets

    Traffic court, parking citations, and toll notices

    Humboldt County Superior Court handles traffic court matters. A city or issuing agency handles parking. The toll operator handles toll notices.

    Open ticket help →
12. Safety

    Emergency alerts, evacuations, smoke, roads, and power

    Use the county or city alert system for local warnings. Follow the local emergency office for evacuation wording, then check the matching state fire, smoke, road, or utility update.

    Open emergency checks →