Vancouver, Washington City Government

08/28/2026

Organizing an event or festival for a diverse community? The City's Lodging Tax Grant could help fund your event or promotional efforts.

New this year:
We've updated the Lodging Tax Grant Program Guidelines and Scoring Criteria for this funding cycle. Review the updated guidelines before you apply so you know what's changed.

Learn more and apply: cityofvancouver.us/lodgingtaxgrants

08/27/2026

At the City, we use different funds to manage the revenue we receive to provide services. Common fund types include:

The General Fund is our main operating fund, used for Police, Parks & Rec, Legal, General Services, and more. In 2025, this fund supported response to 100,000+ calls for police service and 300,000+ visits to community centers 🏊‍♀️

Special Revenue Funds can only be used for specific purposes. The Business and Occupation Tax, for example, will help cover the operation of the future new 150-bed bridge shelter.

Capital Project Funds are for major construction and infrastructure projects, including new fire stations and street projects, like Main Street Promise 🚒

Enterprise Funds are supported primarily by user fees or rates. One example is the Water Utility Fund, which provided 10.1 billion gallons of water to customers in 2025.

Our biennial budget process determines how resources are allocated and invested in services and infrastructure. Learn about the budget process: cityofvancouver.us/budget

08/25/2026

Complete coverage of the August 24, 2026, Vancouver City Council meeting.

08/24/2026

Think City leadership isn’t for you? Think again.
⁠Applications are OPEN for positions on 13 Boards and Commissions.

Vancouver welcomes fresh ideas and new perspectives on our Boards and Commissions.⁠ If you’ve ever considered getting involved, now’s the time to make a local impact.⁠

These volunteer boards help guide decisions on everything from culture, arts, and heritage to planning and give members a meaningful way to shape their community while gaining insight into local government.⁠ The time commitment is as little as a few hours a month.

Stop by for sandwiches and refreshments and an opportunity to chat with current commissioners and City staff:⁠
Serving Up Civic Engagement Boards and Commissions Open House⁠ 🥪
2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 9
Cascade Park Community Library 📍 600 N.E. 136th Ave.

Learn more and apply by Sept. 30 at

The Mayor and City Council appoint individuals to 26 different committees, councils and commissions. Members of these bodies offer recommendations,

08/21/2026

Don't let parking slow you down. 🚗

Downtown Vancouver offers 6,000+ hourly public parking spaces, and apps like ParkWhiz and SpotHero make it easy to reserve a private spot ahead of time.

Explore parking options and our interactive public parking map at: www.cityofvancouver.us/GoDowntown

Garage OptionsReserve Event ParkingC-TRANAmtrak Garage Options Hourly Parking Garages Hourly Parking Garages within 1-4 blocks of Esther Short Park,

08/20/2026

Back-to-school season means more people are walking, biking, and rolling in our neighborhoods 🎒🚸

When driving in school zones:
• Slow down.
• Always stop at stop signs and follow instructions from crossing guards.
• Stop for school buses when they have their stop sign extended and red lights flashing.
• If you see a group of people biking together, do not pass them.

When walking, riding, or rolling in school zones, remind students to always cross at a marked crossing, check all directions of traffic before crossing the street, and wait for all traffic to stop, including turning vehicles.

Thanks for keeping Vancouver students safe 🏫

08/19/2026

National Night Out is all about community, and we had a great time wrapping up this year’s events last night in the Hough neighborhood! 🚔🎉

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi and hang out with us. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with our neighbors! 💙

08/18/2026

Interested in applying for the 2027 Lodging Tax Grant? Join a free virtual Q&A tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. ⁠
⁠
Learn more and RSVP: cityofvancouver.us/LodgingTaxGrants

08/18/2026

Festival overhead lights are being installed on Main Street! ✨

From 5th to 15th, crews are installing 30 strands of overhead festival lights across 10 blocks…600 bulbs total! These lights will also color-activate for holidays, bringing a whole new look and feel to Main Street in Vancouver, WA.

The Main Street Promise infrastructure project is nearly complete, and the overhead light installation marks another major milestone in the largest investment in Main Street in over a century.

And it’s not done yet! Additional lighting elements are still to come. STAY TUNED! 💡

08/18/2026

Complete coverage of the August 17, 2026, Vancouver City Council meeting.