Public Records Requests

A public record is any state or local record relating to the conduct of government or the performance of a governmental function, and which is prepared or retained by any state or local agency.

Access to Public Records

All records maintained by the City of Snoqualmie are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and to receive copies of those records upon paying the costs of making the copy. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. We may require information necessary to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record you seek, the more responsive we can be. The City of Snoqualmie provides access to existing public records in its possession; however, the City is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request.

How to Submit a Public Records Request

Make an online Public Records Request. 

If you don't have online access, forms are available at City Hall, 38624 SE River Street in downtown Snoqualmie. Call 425-888-1555 for more information. 

Information required for a public records request include:

  • Name of requester
  • Date of request
  • Phone, email, and/or address or other contact information of requester
  • Identification of the public records adequate for the public records officer or designee to locate the records (title and date, if known)
  • Location (department) of the requested records, if known
  • Whether the requester intends to inspect the records or obtain a photocopy of the records, at the cost set forth

Records Officer

The City Clerk is the City of Snoqualmie’s Records Officer. It is the role of this office to assure the City is in compliance with the Public Records Act.  

How the City Will Respond to Your Public Records Request

Within five business days of receipt of the request (day one is the first working day after the request is received), the City of Snoqualmie will do one or more of the following:

  • The City will make the records available for inspection or copying.
  • The City will identify an online location where the record can be accessed. Requesters who cannot access the Internet may be provided hard copies.
  • The City will provide a reasonable estimate of when records will be available.
  • If the requester is unclear or does not sufficiently identify the requested records, the City will request clarification from the requester. Such clarification may be requested and provided by telephone, the public records officer or designee my revise the estimate of when records will be available.
  • If copies are requested and payment of a deposit for the copies, if any, is made or terms of payment are agreed upon, send the copies to the requester.
  • The City may deny the request.

Fee Schedule

Fees for copies and scanning of public records requests will be charged according to the Fee Schedule. Payment of fees is required prior to release of records, unless other arrangements have been made with the Public Records Officer. If requested, the City will provide a summary of the applicable charges before any copies are made and the requester may revise a public records request to reduce the number of copies to be made and reduce the applicable fees.

No fee is charged for locating records, inspecting records in person, or for accessing records routinely made available on the City’s website prior to receipt of a request, unless the requester has specifically requested that the City provide copies of such records through other means.

Except as otherwise indicated, standard fees are prescribed in RCW 42.56.120(2)(b) for providing public records (other than outsourced copies or copies of large-format plans and maps). See Resolution 1501, Adopting Rules Pertaining to Public Record Requests.