FAQs
GENERAL
Where is Yreka?
Yreka is located on I-5 in Northern California. We are located 22 miles south of the California-Oregon border and 98 miles north of Redding, CA.
Where is City Hall?
Located at 701 Fourth St, City Hall is near downtown Yreka, 4 blocks from W. Miner St. and across from Jackson St. School.
Where is the Siskiyou County Superior Court?
The Siskiyou County Superior Court in Yreka is located at 311 Fourth St, downtown.
When and where are City Council meetings?
Council meetings are the first and third Thursdays of each month. They are held at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers at 701 Fourth St.
Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
You can request a copy of you birth certificate, for a fee, from the Siskiyou County Recorder's Office, located at 311 Fourth St., Room 108, Yreka, CA. Phone: (530)842-8065
UTILITIES
Who do I contact if I have a sewer backup?
During business hours(Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) call City Hall at (530)841-2386. After hours call the Yreka Police Department at (530)841-2300.
Who do I contact when I have a waterline leak?
During business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) you may call City Hall at (530)841-2386. After hours call the Yreka Police Department at (530)841-2300. For water emergencies there may be a call-out fee for the City to turn off your water. Alternatively, you may have your plumber turn it off for you. You may also want to think about installing a hand valve on your line. This will enable you to turn your water off yourself, without charge, for future emergencies.
Why did the City switch from postcards to envelopes for the utility bills?
The postcard size was not large enough to allow for the newly mandated US Postal Service printed barcode necessary for sorting.
Why does the City print a monthly newsletter?
The goal of the Yreka City Newsletter is to communicate important projects and information with the public in a more efficient way. As over two-thirds of our citizens are connected to the City utilities, the City newsletter has the potential to reach that may citizens and more each month.
How is the Yreka City Newsletter paid for?
The Yreka City Newsletter is funded through money allocated for Community Outreach and not from your utility bill payment. The newsletter is a new and hopefully more effective mode of communicating important information to the citizens of Yreka, over other forms of media such as newsprint and radio.
Can I pay my utility bill with a debit or credit card?
The City is not currently equipped to take debit or credit card payments; however, the finance department is working on a project to be able to take credit card payments online in the future.
How do I sign up for automatic bill pay for my utility bill?
You can fill out an Authorization for Automatic Payment at City Hall, 701 Fourth St. The amount owed will be debited from your account on the 10th of every month, or if that date falls on a weekend, the 11th or 12th.
Why is my utility bill so high?
You may have a leak in your plumbing. This can be detected by taking a water meter reading, not using the water in the house for at least two hours, and reading the water meter once more. If the water meter reading changed, you have a leak. Also you may notice an increase in your bill due to the 5-year rate increase plan started by the City in October 2008. The plan is to help pay for the deferred maintenance on the City's aging infrastructure.
How do I apply for a meter down-size?
You can fill out a Request for a meter down-size at City Hall, 701 Fourth St.
What do I do if I am receiving a utility bill for a previous tenant?
Please call (530) 841-2386 or come into City Hall at 701 Fourth St.
Why do we still have to pay the monthly landfill fee listed on our utility bill?
The landfill fee pays for the use of the County owned waste facility, operating as a transfer station.
LICENSES & PERMITS
Do I need a burn permit?
Yes, burn permits are required within the City limits and restrictions apply. To acquire a burn permit, come down to City Hall, at 701 Fourth St. There is no fee for a burn permit.
How long is a burn permit good for?
A burn permit never expires. If you happen to lose your burn permit, however, please come into City Hall and fill out a new permit.
Do I need a building permit for a reroof?
Yes, a building permit is required for a reroof. You can obtain one through City Hall, located at 701 Fourth St.
Do I need a business license if I'm working from home?
Yes, business licenses are required for home businesses and can be acquired through City Hall, at 701 Fourth St.
PARKS & CITY FACILITIES
How do I reserve one of the parks, Community Center, or Community Theater?
Reservations can be made through City Hall by phone, (530) 841-2386, or stop by at 701 Fourth St.
Is the use of a metal detector allowed in City parks?
Metal detectors are prohibited in City parks.
Is alcohol allowed in the City parks?
It is unlawful to consume alcoholic beverages in the City parks, with the exception of Greenhorn Park, however, a permit can be obtained from the City Clerk for the consumption of alcoholic beverages in any such prohibited areas for group activities.
ENTERPRISE ZONES
What is an Enterprise Zone?
An Enterprise Zone is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalizing. Enterprise Zones encourage economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering tax advantages and incentives to businesses located within the zone boundaries.
Where is the Enterprise Zone located?
The Enterprise Zone stretches throughout Siskiyou County. To view a map of the zone, please visit the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council's map page.
Where do I get more information about the benefits available to me or by business through an Enterprise Zone?
Contact the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council toll free at 1-800-842-1638 or locally at (530) 842-1638. Their offices are located in Yreka, at 1512 S. Oregon St.
PUBLIC WORKS
Who maintains street lights?
Public Works maintains street light. If you would like to report a street light that is out, you may call City Hall at (530) 841-2386.
Who is responsible for sidewalk repairs?
The property owner is responsible for sidewalk repairs.
