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Response to Records Requests
Within five business days of receipt of the request, the public records officer or designee will do one of the following:
- Make the records available for inspection or copying.
- Send copies to requestor if payment has been received.
- Provide a reasonable estimate when records will be available.
- Contact requestor to request clarification.
- Deny the request citing reason for denial.
If a requestor does not receive a response within five days, he or she should contact the public records officer to determine the reason.
Some Records Exempt From Disclosure
The Public Records Act and other statutes, list types of documents exempt (PDF) from public inspection and copying.
The City of Burlington will not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the public records officer or designee will redact the exempt portions before providing the document.
Special Considerations
If a requestor has not reviewed or claimed records within 30 days of notice that records are available or fails to make payment, the public records officer may close the request.
If requested records contain information that may affect rights of others, before providing the records, the public records officer or designee may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties.
After a request has been filled, if the public records officer becomes aware of additional documents existing at the time of the request, these will be provided to the requestor on an expedited basis.
Requesting Review of Denials
A requestor may send a written petition to the public records officer in order to have any disclosure denial reviewed. The Attorney's Office Civil Division will consider petitions and affirm or reverse the denial within two business days following the receipt of the petition by that office.
Within two business days of an initial denial, a requestor may obtain court review. View the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 42.56 for more information.