Every lot in the High Ridge community is ready to build – complete with water, power and phone hook-ups as well as septic system permits. High Ridge lots are accessed by a paved private road (note: It is a dead end – through traffic is not permitted). The development is controlled by covenants and an architectural review process.
The Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning is the local Southwest Washington government regulatory agency for codes and building permits. The complete file for the High Ridge development is available for review at the department’s office located at:
207 4th Ave. N
Kelso, Wa. 98626
telephone 360.577.3052
The High Ridge community is an approved large-lot subdivision and the plat is recorded as Auditor’s File number 3223130. Please see the face of the plat for specific notes and restrictions. The developer at High Ridge would be pleased to address your questions, provide any information, or assist you by offering information for your lender or the Building Department to help you through the due diligence, financing and permitting processes.
Electric lines are installed to each lot. Service is provided by the Cowlitz Public Utility District. Electricity costs are somewhat less than in Clark County. After sizing and locating the home you propose to build the PUD will size and install a transformer at your cost. In some cases two homes may share a transformer and costs will be shared.
Telephone lines are installed to each lot. Service is provided by Frontier.
High speed internet is available through private line of sight services throughout the area. Many residents in the adjacent River Run development subscribe to these services. Fiber optic cable is not currently available in the Woodland area but the existing services are capable of providing similar speeds.
Natural gas pipelines are generally not available in rural areas. Five companies in Woodland provide propane service and the cost is slightly less than natural gas. Many residents in the adjacent River Run development use propane for home heating, cooking, heating water, drying clothes, etc. The main difference between propane and natural gas is that propane comes in a truck, not a pipe.
Each lot has a septic system permit. Please contact the developer or inquire at the Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning to determine the type of septic system approved for the specific lot that you are interested in or click here for a list. Only after you have determined the exact location and size of the house you intend to build will your designer size and locate your system.
Water is provided by the High Ridge Water System, a Class A Small Public Water System (ID#AB327N, ODW Project #06-0212.) The Washington State Department of Ecology has issued water rights (certificate number G2-30226) to the High Ridge community. The water system has been approved by the Washington State Department of Health. This approval is accepted by the Cowlitz County Health Department and the Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning as evidence that the system satisfies their requirements. The system is owned and managed by a Satellite Water Management Agency, GPM, Inc. They are regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. Contact person for GPM, Inc. is:
Gary Stuart
360.231.4352
gstuart702@tds.net
The water system is supplied by a series of extensively tested and computer monitored wells that fill a 50,000 gallon reservoir located on lot 56.
Distribution lines and water meter boxes have been installed to each lot. Owners must contact GPM, Inc. for a letter of water availability for their specific lot prior to applying for a building permit. Charges for system development and service connection have been paid by the developer and there is no additional hook up charge to lot purchasers. At the time of hookup GPM charges users $150 for the meter itself. GPM manages, maintains, monitors, tests, repairs and operates the system for a basic per lot monthly charge of $18.00 (includes 3,600 gallons). The monthly rate for 3,600 gallons to 16,000 gallons used is an additional $0.003/gallon and over 16,000 gallons used are charged at $0.005/gallon. Average household use is typically about 200 gallons per day which would result in a total monthly charge of $25.20.
As of 2011 property taxes were $10.33 per thousand dollars of assessed value (1.03%).
