FAQs

How do I make an over-the counter request?

Records responsive to certain public records requests may be provided over-the-counter at the time the request is made, and several examples are listed below:

  • Building Permits;
  • City Council meeting minutes;
  • Links to information/records that are available on the City of Lakewood website; and
  • Ordinances and Resolutions

How do I make a Public Records Request?

The City encourages requesters to make public records requests online at cityoflakewoodwa.nextrequest.com and kiosks are available at Lakewood City Hall and at the Police Station. A request should include your contact information and a detailed description of the records you are requesting.

Police records requests can be made using the South Sound 911 (SS911) online portal at www.southsound911.org/157/Public-Records-Requests.

A police records request should include as much of the following information as possible:

  • Case Number
  • Name(s) of parties involved
  • Date(s) of birth of parties involved
  • Date, time and location of incident

If you have any questions or need assistance making a public records request, please contact us at 253-983-7801.

How do I get a response to my request?

The five-day (5) response period starts on the business day immediately following receipt of the request (business days do not include weekends or City holidays). The initial response may:

  • Include the requested records or refer the requester to a link on the City’s website;
  • Request clarification to identify responsive records;
  • Require additional time to perform an adequate search and review, including a reasonable estimate of when the request may be fulfilled;
  • State that the City does not have responsive records;
  • Propose fulfilling large or complicated requests on an installment basis; or
  • Deny the request based on exemption(s).

The Public Records Act does not require the City to answer requests for information, create new public records, or provide information in a format that is different from the original public record(s).

Installment Responses

Responsive records can be provided in installments, and the City will notify the requester when records are available. The requester must claim or review the assembled records within thirty (30) days of notification by the City, and records may be reviewed free of charge. If no action is taken by the requester within 30 days, the City may close the request.

How can I inspect public records?

After notification, public records will be made available for inspection and/or copying during normal business hours (currently 8:30 am through 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except on legal holidays). There is no fee to inspect public records, and the following procedures prevent damage or disorganization to public records:

  1. The City will provide space to inspect public records.
  2. City staff may be present during the inspection of records.
  3. No public record may be removed for the viewing area, marked, defaced, torn, damaged, destroyed, disassembled or removed from its proper location or order, or altered.
  4. To select a paper record for copying during inspection, a requester must flag the page or document by use of a non-permanent method such as a Post-It note.

What can I do if I made a Public Records Request but did not receive a response?

If you did not receive a response from the City within five (5) business days after the date of filing a public records request, you are encouraged to call us immediately at 253-983-7801.

How much will my records cost?

The fee schedule is:

Copies of public records: $0.15 cents/page

    Scanned public records into an electric format: $0.10 cents/page

  Electronic files or attachments uploaded to email, cloud-based storage service or other means of electronic delivery: $0.05 cents/4 files or attachments

Transmission of public records in an electronic format: $0.10 cents/gigabyte

 Digital Storage Media or Device; Container or Envelope used to mail copies to requestor and postage/delivery charge: Actual costs

Note: Charges can be combined if more than one type applies

   Note: Pursuant to RCW 42.56.120(2)(b), the City of Lakewood is not calculating/assessing all actual costs for copying records because to do so would be unduly burdensome for the following reasons:

(1) The City does not have the resources to conduct a study to determine all actual copying costs for every actual cost type; and

(2) To conduct such a study would interfere with other essential city functions.