Request Public Records
Public Records Requests
For assistance, or to make public records requests by letter, email, or phone, contact:
Sha Peterson,
Public Records Officer
(253) 207-4450
(253) 207-4440 fax
902 South L. Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
Any person requesting a public record is encouraged to make the request by filling out the Public Records Request form. Requests should be made to the Public Records Officer (PRO) and should include the following information:
- Name of Person Making Request
- Street Address, City, State, Zip Code
- Telephone Number
- Email Address
- Description of Public Records Request
- Type of Request (paper, electronic, or onsite inspection)
- Signature
General Availability of Records
Public records will be available for inspection during THA’s customary business hours. Customary business hours are posted at THA and on the THA web site. Records must be inspected at the 902 South L. Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 office of THA. Upon request for identifiable public records, THA will make records promptly available to any person including, if applicable, on a partial or installment basis as records that are part of a larger set of requested records are assembled or made ready for inspection or disclosure. THA will not deny any request for identifiable public records solely on the basis that the request is overbroad.
If a requestor has not made arrangements to review or claim records within (30) thirty days of notice that the records are available, the PRO may close the request.
Public Records Request Form
Records Exempt from Disclosure
Although documents that perpetuate, communicate, or formalize knowledge are public records, the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and other statutes list types of public documents exempt from public viewing and copying. If only part of a record is exempt, the PRO will redact the exempt portions before providing the document. THA will not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
Cost for Providing Public Records
THA does not charge for the staff time spent in locating a public record or for making a record available for inspection. The law allows THA to charge for the actual costs connected with copying public records, inlcuding the staff time spent making copies.
If an installment of a records request is not paid for or reviewed within (20) twenty days after THA provides notice of availability of the installment, THA is not obligated to fulfill the balance of the request. In addition, because THA is prohibited from lending its credit, a requestor must prepay the estimated copy cost for any copies that must be made by an outside vendor.
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THA shall charge the following costs: |
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Service |
Fee |
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Review of requested records |
No charge |
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Cost per page |
$.15 per page for paper copies |
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Actual charge |
If materials need to be copied by an outside source due to volume, current work load of Agency staff, or any other reason, the requestor pays the actual amount invoiced to the Agency by the vendor. |
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Mailing envelopes or packaging |
Actual cost of supplies |
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Payment |
In the event a records request is estimated to exceed $25.00, before beginning to make the copies, the Public Records Officer or designee may require a deposit of up to ten percent of the estimated costs of copying all the records selected by the requestor before starting the copying process. The Public Records Officer or designee may also require the payment of the remainder of the copying costs before providing all the records, or the payment of the costs of copying an installment before providing that installment. THA will not charge sales tax when it makes copies of public records. Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order to Tacoma Housing Authority. |