Public Records

Public records include official city records such as ordinances, resolutions, staff reports, city council meeting minutes, the Ridgefield Municipal Code, and other related documents from the Ridgefield City Council.

Birth, death records, marriage, divorce, property and all court records are held by Clark County, not the City of Ridgefield.

For Police records, visit the Police Department Records page.

View Public Records Online

Weblink, the new online City Document Portal, is a catalogue of public city documents such as city budget, building permits and plans, job descriptions, ordinances, resolutions, and more. Before submitting a Public Records Request, look through the portal to see if the documents required are already available.

View City documents online using the Weblink Portal.

Request Public Records Online

The City of Ridgefield responds to requests for public records in accordance with Revised Codes of Washington (RCW) 42.56.

Weblink, the new online City Document Portal, is a catalogue of public city documents such as city budget, building permits and plans, job descriptions, ordinances, resolutions, and more. Before submitting a Public Records Request, look through the portal to see if the documents required are already available.

Requests Public Records By Mail or In Person

If you are unable to submit your request online, you may also make a request by mail or in person, by completing our Public Records Request Form (PDF). To submit your request, you may:

  • Fax it to Office of the City Clerk at 360-887-0861
  • Mail it to:
    City of Ridgefield
    P.O. Box 608
    Ridgefield, WA 98642
  • Deliver the form in person to Ridgefield City Hall at:
    230 Pioneer Street
    P.O. Box 608
    Ridgefield, WA 98642

Public records are available for inspection and access, subject to the following conditions:

  • Some records are exempt from public inspection and copying and will not be provided. However, when exempt portions of public records can be redacted, the remainder shall be open to public inspection and copying.
  • The request must include the date as well as the name, address, and contact information of the requester.
  • The description of the requested public records must be adequate to locate the records.
  • Inspection and copying must occur on city premises during normal business hours.
  • The records may not be removed, disassembled, or altered.
  • The City does not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
  • For large requests, copies may be provided in installments.
  • There is a charge for copies and mailing. For large reproduction requests, an outside vendor may be used and the requester will need to pay for the costs.

Response to Public Records Requests

Within five business days of receipt of a request for public records, the City will do one of the following:

  • Make the records available for inspection or copying
  • Send copies to the requester if payment has been received or waived
  • Provide a reasonable timeline of when the records will be available
  • Contact the requester to request clarification
  • Deny the request, specifying the reason for denial

If the requester does not receive a response within five days, he or she should contact the City to determine the reason for the delay.

The City of Ridgefield provides space to inspect records. Records are made available during normal business hours, excluding holidays.

For additional questions regarding Public Records Requests, please contact the City Clerk, Julie Ferriss, at 360-887-3557.