Commonly Requested Records
To provide transparency to everyone we serve, the City of Seattle is working to provide better access to public records.
Many records are already available on our City website. To assist you, we've collected the below list of commonly requested record types with links to available records online. You may also be interested in the information the City posts on its Open Data Portal or the Seattle Municipal Archives.
Please note that some records are not automatically posted online for many reasons, including lack of widespread interest, large size of records, or the fact that records contain confidential information.
If you do not see the records you need online, you can submit a public disclosure request for them through our Public Records Request Center. Through this portal you can choose the department which is likely to hold the records. The department will then process your request by determining if responsive records exist, reviewing them for exemptions, and producing them to you.
Types of commonly requested records
City construction projects
Note: the information included here focuses mainly on information related to City construction projects, including project plans, schedules, status, impacts, etc. If you are looking specifically for records related to contracts, bids, certified payrolls, etc., on City construction projects, see also the Construction / Bid Documents category below on this page.
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Electrical work |
Construction projects related to installation of electrical cable, conduits and vaults, streetlights, utility poles, etc. Available Online Visit Seattle City Light's Current Projects page. |
City Light |
| Parks | Learn about projects under way in Seattle's parks, explore information on how to get involved and to learn the best way to provide input or participate in public processes. Available Online Visit Seattle Parks & Recreation's Current Projects page. |
Parks & Recreation |
| Roadway and street improvements, multi-modal transportation infrastructure |
Construction projects include street and sidewalk maintenance, traffic-calming measures, bike lanes, bridge improvements, streetcars, infrastructure to support a regional multi-modal transportation system. Available Online Visit the Seattle Department of Transportation's pages: |
Transportation |
| Water, drainage, solid waste construction projects | Information and documents on water, wastewater, drainage and solid waste projects. Available Online Visit Seattle Public Utilities' Projects page. |
Public Utilities |
Codes / maps / plans / infrastructure records
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Building/Land Use codes & rules | Includes Building Code, Land Use Code, Electrical Code, Energy Code, Housing & Building Maintenance Code, etc. Available Online See full list on the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspection's Codes & Rules page. |
Construction & Inspections |
| GIS - Geographic information system maps and data | The City of Seattle's GIS data is an important resource for engineers, land planners, architects, utility designers and others who consult or provide technical services to City departments. Available Online Visit Seattle Public Utilities' GIS information page. |
Public Utilities |
| Public Utilities: surveys/maps/aerial photos/plans |
The Seattle Public Utilities Engineering Records Vault is an archive of City infrastructure information. Available Online Visit the SPU Records Vault. |
Public Utilities |
| Street/transportation maps | Bike maps, parking maps, pothole repair maps, traffic flow maps, construction maps, etc. Available Online See full list on the Seattle Department of Transportation's SDOT Maps page. |
Transportation |
| Capital Projects Dashboard |
The Capital Projects Dashboard is an interactive site designed to offer insight into cost, spending, and timeline information on city transportation projects. We are highlighting projects that have reached the design phase and are estimated to cost more than $500,000. Available Online |
Transportation |
| Utility business plans and reports |
Includes comprehensive, management and business plans, program and performance reports, report cards, engineering and development project resources, client-assistance memos, policies, rules and other. Available Online Visit Seattle Public Utilities' Documents page. |
Public Utilities |
| Zoning | Find zoning maps, read the Zoning Code. Available Online Visit the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspection's Tools & Resources page. |
Construction & Inspections |
Complaints / violations
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Animal | Complaints regarding the laws and codes involving animals within the city of Seattle, including animal cruelty, dangerous or menacing animals, scoop and leash laws, unreasonable animal noise. | Seattle Animal Shelter |
| Damage claims | A damage claim is a request for payment for a loss, injury or damages incurred in an incident/accident. | Finance & Administrative Services (Risk Management) |
| Discrimination | The City investigates claims of discrimination of protected classes in employment, housing, public accommodations, fair contracting. See full details. | Civil Rights |
| Ethics violations |
An independent committee interprets, administers and enforces the Seattle ethics, elections and election pamphlets, lobbying and whistleblower protection codes. | Ethics & Elections Commission |
| Fire code | The City investigates violations of the Seattle Fire Code, such as a fire alarm out of service or storage of hazardous materials without a permit or in violation of permit conditions. | Fire Department |
| Labor standards | The City investigates violations of labor standard laws, including minimum wage, paid sick and safe time, fair chance employment and wage theft. | Labor Standards |
| Noise/nightlife | The City's Joint Enforcement Team responds to complaints related to the nightlife economy, including noise, indoor smoking, maximum occupancy, illegal vending, etc. | Economic Development, Finance & Administrative Services (Consumer Protection) |
| Nuisance property | Property owners and operators violate the law when they allow a chronic nuisance property to exist. | Law Department (City Attorney's Office) |
| Property/building | The City investigates complaints from the public to identify potential violations of our housing, land use, construction, noise (construction) and other codes. See Codes enforced. Available Online Track the investigation and findings of a complaint using the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspection's Property & Building Activity tool. |
Construction & Inspections |
| Taxi, for-hire or transportation network companies/limos/towing | The City regulates certain types of businesses and enforces those regulations to ensure customers get what they pay for and pay a fair fee for services. | Finance & Administrative Services (Consumer Protection) |
Contracts / bid documents
Note: the information included here focuses mainly on records related to contracts, bids, certified payrolls, etc. If you are looking for information related to City construction projects, including project plans, schedules, status, impacts, etc., see also the City Construction Projects category above on this page.
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Consultants | The City uses consultants to perform analysis, advise, make recommendations, prepare reports, develop designs and provide other specialized services. Available Online Use the Consultant Contract Search tool to find consultant contracts. |
Each City department manages its own consultant contracts. |
| Public works/City projects | Public works is construction or reconstruction, alteration, repair or improvements to roadways, buildings and major fixed assets. This is managed centrally. Available Online Public works projects are advertised in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce and online at ProcureWare (login required, but it is free to sign up). See also a list of upcoming City construction projects. |
Finance & Administrative Services (City Purchasing & Contracting Services) |
| Solid Waste |
The City contracts with various companies in collecting, processing and long-haul disposal of waste Available Online See SPU's Contracts page. |
Public Utilities |
| Vendors | The City uses blanket contracts for City products, supplies and equipment, and routine, on-going or highly repetitive, ordinary services. Available Online Use the Purchasing Contract Search tool to find blanket contracts. |
Finance & Administrative Services (City Purchasing & Contracting Services) |
Council bills / ordinances / Seattle Municipal Code / City Charter
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Bills |
A Council bill is a draft ordinance which the City Clerk processes for formal introduction to the City Council. If the legislation is passed by the Council and signed by the Mayor, it becomes a City ordinance. If it is not passed by the Council, or if a Mayoral veto is not overridden by Council vote, it remains a council bill and is filed in the City Clerk's office. Available Online Search Bills on the City Clerk's website. |
City Clerk's Office |
| Ordinances |
Ordinances constitute the laws of the City. They must be passed by the City Council and signed by the Mayor, or passed by the Council over the Mayor's veto. Ordinances also are required to authorize certain actions, as designated in the City Charter. Available Online Search Ordinances on the City Clerk's website. |
City Clerk's Office |
| Resolutions |
A resolution is City legislation which is administrative or temporary, or which expresses policy. Resolutions are passed by the City Council only, but the Council may request the Mayor's signature as endorsement of the policies contained within them. Available Online Search Resolutions on the City Clerk's website. |
City Clerk's Office |
| Seattle Municipal Code |
The Seattle Municipal Code codifies all general ordinances currently in effect, arranged by subject. Available Online Search the online Seattle Municipal Code. |
City Clerk's Office |
| Charter of the City of Seattle |
The City Charter embodies the fundamental principles of the City, defines the City's powers, duties and boundaries, and guarantees certain rights to the people. Available Online Search the online Charter of the City of Seattle. |
City Clerk's Office |
| City Auditor Reports |
The City Auditor conducts independent, in-depth analyses and develop recommendations to improve City programs and services. We submit our reports to the City Council, Mayor, City departments, and the public via presentations to City Council committees and through our website. Available Online |
City Auditor |
| City Council Agendas / Minutes |
This list includes Council meetings with published agendas and does not represent the entire list of Council meetings. Available Online |
City Clerk's Office |
| Lobbyist Disclosures |
The City of Seattle’s Paid Lobbying Disclosure ordinance went into effect in 2008. Anyone qualifying as a paid lobbyist under the ordinance is required to register and disclose their lobbying income and expenses. Available Online |
Ethics and Election Commission |
| Hearing Examiner Decisions |
The Office of Hearing Examiner is a separate and independent office of the City created by the Seattle Municipal Code. The Office is charged with conducting fair and impartial administrative hearings, when authorized by the Code, to review the actions of various City departments. Available Online |
City Clerk's Office |
| Municipal Archives Collections |
The Gazette is published electronically 3-4 times annually by the Seattle Municipal Archives. It serves to highlight events, new accessions, and other activities in the Archives Available Online |
City Clerk's Office |
Financial: budget / City salaries / invoices
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Budget proposals |
Current and archived budgets, capital improvement programs, economic updates and other related information. Available Online Search the Budget Archives for adopted and proposed budget documents. |
City Budget Office |
| Employee pay rates |
Wage and classification information of City of Seattle Employees. Exclusions may apply for vulnerable populations.
|
Human Resources |
| Invoices/payments | Records showing invoices the City receives for products or services and payments made for those products or services. | Finance & Administrative Services (Citywide Accounting & Payroll) |
Grants
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Arts |
Full grant list: Arts Mean Business, Civic Partners, CityArtist Projects, Cultural Facilities, Neighborhood & Community Arts, smART Ventures, Youth Arts and Work Readiness Arts Program. | Arts & Culture |
| Economic development | Only in Seattle program. | Economic Development |
| Human services |
Various funding opportunities through 450 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle's most vulnerable residents. | Human Services Department |
| Neighborhood | Full grant list: Neighborhood Matching Fund, Duwamish River Opportunity Fund, Community Crosswalks, Neighborhood Park and Street Fund, Summer Opportunity Fund. | Neighborhoods |
| Parks | Major Projects Challenge Fund. | Parks & Recreation |
| Race and social justice | Racial Equity Fund. | Civil Rights |
| Technology | Technology Matching Fund. | Seattle Information Technology |
| Transportation | Safe Routes to School: student safety patrol, pedestrian education campaigns, pedestrian crossing flags, bicycle safety skills building events, traffic circulation changes on school property, etc. | Transportation |
Licenses
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Animal |
All cats, dogs, miniature goats and potbellied pigs living within the city limits must have a Seattle pet license. | Seattle Animal Shelter |
| Business | Anyone doing business in Seattle must have a Seattle business license tax certificate. Available Online To get basic business license information, search the Find a Business database. |
Finance & Administrative Services (License & Tax Administration) |
| Business regulatory | The City regulates some business activities and requires a separate endorsement. This includes the taxi/for-hire and transportation network company industry, marijuana businesses, tow companies, adult entertainment, amusement devices, pawnshops, etc. See full list. Available Online To get basic business license information, including status of a regulatory endorsement, search the Find a Business database. |
Finance & Administrative Services (License & Tax Administration, Consumer Protection) |
| Trade | Trade licenses are required for tradespeople who operate boilers, conduct gas piping installations, operate and install refrigeration or AC equipment. Available Online Find a trade license holder by last name. |
Construction & Inspections |
Permits
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Building/land use | Construction, demolition, land use, mechanical, electrical, sewer, boiler, elevator/escalator, etc. See full list. Available Online Many Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections permits and property records are available on Seattle.gov. Use the Permit and Property Records search tool. |
Construction & Inspections |
| Film | Required for filming on public property, and for staging vehicles or equipment on public property while filming on private property. | Economic Development (Office of Film + Music) |
| Fire | Required for special events, public assembly occupancies and a wide variety of other activities where a fire or life safety hazard may exist (e.g., storage of hazardous materials). See full list. Available Online You can check the status of a permit on the Seattle Fire Department's website, but must request full records. |
Fire Department |
| Park use | Required to reserve a Parks playfield, facility, stage or performing arts area, or to use a park for a gathering. Also required for non-park use of a Parks property. | Parks & Recreation |
| Special events | Required for public or private event activity on public or private property that has impact to surrounding neighborhood or requires substantial public services. | Economic Development (Special Events Office) |
| Street use |
Required for activity in the public right of way. There are four main categories: construction use & simple utility, public space, major improvements, urban forestry. Follow above links for more information on specific permit types within each category. |
Transportation |
| Underground storage tank removal |
Required for decommissioning and removal of underground storage tanks. Most residential records are available online (see below). Commercial underground storage tank permit records can be requested through the Public Records Request Center. Available Online |
Fire Department |
| Zoning Maps |
Land Use division staff process and issue land use permits, also called master use permits or MUPs. We conduct specialized reviews in land use, zoning, and environmental regulations on proposed development. Available Online |
Construction & Inspections |
Public safety / legal
Type |
Description |
Department |
| 911 call records - Fire | Fire Department dispatches to 911 calls in the city. Available Online Search Seattle Real Time Fire 911 Calls on data.seattle.gov. |
Fire Department |
| 911 call records - Police | Police responses to 911 calls in the city. Available Online Search Seattle Police Department 911 Incident Response on data.seattle.gov. |
Police Department |
| Civil case files | Case files on City lawsuits. | Law Department (City Attorney's Office) |
| Criminal case files | Case files on traffic infractions, misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, including DUIs, domestic violence, theft and trespassing. | Law Department (City Attorney's Office) |
| Court case files | Records pertaining to a particular case, including docket, judgment and sentence, motion, etc. | Municipal Court |
| Fire reports | Reports including medical incidents, fire responses, fire investigations, etc. | Fire Department |
| Infraction filings | Data on parking, speeding, camera tickets, etc. Available Online See Seattle Municipal Court data reports for several frequently requested topics. |
Municipal Court |
| Police reports | Initial police reports, collision reports, incident reports, video/audio, calls for service, photographs, witness statements, etc. Available Online Initial police reports, collision reports or a clearance letter can be requested through SPD's Front Counter Services. More detailed reports can be requested using the Seattle Police Records Request Center. |
Police Department |
| Street light/traffic cameras | While the Seattle Department of Transportation has and maintains traffic cameras throughout the city for real-time viewing, it does not store, archive, maintain or record any images from those traffic cameras. SDOT does not maintain records relating to red light camera violations (see below). Available Online View live traffic conditions online. |
Transportation |
| Red light cameras | Information about the City of Seattle's Automated Photo Enforcement program (red light cameras) is available on the Seattle Police Department's website. Available Online If you received a notice of infraction in the mail for running a red light, you can view the images and video of your vehicle at ViolationInfo.com. You must use the Notice # and PIN printed on the front of the notice you received to log in. See the Seattle Municipal Court data reports website for data on traffic camera citations. |
Municipal Court |
| SPD Data Maps |
This map shows all the Police responses to 9-1-1 calls within the city up to the last 24 hours. Available Online |
Police Department |
| Computer-Aided Dispatch Dashboard |
CAD events include criminal and non-criminal activity, can be community-generated or officer-initiated, handled in the field or over the phone, and do not always result in a report being taken. Available Online |
Police Department |
| Significant Incident Reports |
The SPD Blotter features preliminary write-ups on significant incidents. Available Online |
Police Department |
| OIG Reports |
The City of Seattle Office of Inspector General (OIG) was established to "help ensure the fairness and integrity of the police system as a whole in its delivery of law enforcement services by providing civilian auditing of the management, practices, and policies of the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Available Online |
Inspector General |
Trees
Type |
Description |
Department |
| Landscaping requirements |
Landscaping is required on private property for many developments to mitigate adverse impacts (e.g., for screening of parking, blocking headlight glare from a neighboring property or visually reducing the bulk of a project). Available Online See more:
|
Construction & Inspections |
| Parks | Seattle Parks & Recreation maintains a 6,200-acre park system of 400+ parks and extensive natural areas. SPR is responsible for all of the trees in the urban forest park lands, including developed parks, natural areas, green belts and boulevards. Available Online Visit Parks & Recreation's Tree Health and Management page for more details on tree management, maintenance, pruning and/or removal. |
Parks & Recreation |
| Planting strips in public right of way | The Seattle Department of Transportation is responsible for activity in the public right of way, including planting strips. A Street Use Permit is required both to pave a planting strip and to plant, prune or remove street trees, which are intended to enhance downtown and neighborhood roadways. Available Online Visit SDOT's Urban Forestry website for more details, including procedures, guides and applications for tree pruning and removal permits. |
Transportation |
| Power line maintenance |
Seattle City Light's Vegetation Management program is committed to ensuring safe and reliable power delivery through the comprehensive and environmentally responsible management of the vegetation our lines and infrastructure impact. Available Online City Light's Vegetation Management Program lays the groundwork for City policy on tree removal and replacement. City Light has also published "The Right Tree Book" to help residents choose appropriate trees near power lines. |
City Light |
| Tree protection regulations |
Trees are valued in Seattle and legally protected in a variety of ways. Available Online See more: |
Construction & Inspections |
Other
Type |
Description |
Department |
|
Seattle Channel Videos |
Seattle Channel is an award-winning municipal television station that reflects, informs, and inspires the community it serves with a local mix of news, analysis, stories, and perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Available Online |
Information Technology |