Spokane Valley Public Records
Spokane Valley public records are available through the City Clerk's office using the GovQA portal. Spokane Valley is a Spokane County city east of Spokane, incorporated in 2003, with roughly 102,000 residents. The city uses GovQA for online records requests and has a designated Public Records Officer in the City Clerk's office. This page covers the request process, contact information, fees, and how to find Spokane County records for Spokane Valley residents.
Spokane Valley Overview
Spokane Valley City Public Records
The City of Spokane Valley uses the GovQA portal at spokanevalleywa.govqa.us for public records requests. City Hall is at 10210 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. The Public Records Officer email is prhoades@spokanevalleywa.gov. Fax is 509-720-5075. Requests can be submitted through the portal, by email, by fax, by mail, or in person.
The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. Within that time, the city will provide the records, acknowledge with an estimate, ask for clarification, or issue a written denial with the specific legal basis. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under RCW 42.56.120. Inspection of records in person is free. Electronic records may be available at no charge or a reduced rate.
City records include City Council meeting minutes and agendas, ordinances, resolutions, land use and building permits, contracts, budgets, and administrative correspondence. Washington law defines "writing" broadly to include emails, texts, digital files, and any electronic format used in city business. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records that would harm active investigations are exempt under RCW 42.56. When the city denies a request, it must state the specific statutory basis in writing.
| Portal | spokanevalleywa.govqa.us |
|---|---|
| Address | 10210 E Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99206 |
| PRO Email | prhoades@spokanevalleywa.gov |
| Fax | 509-720-5075 |
| Copy Fee | $0.15 per page |
Law Enforcement Records for Spokane Valley
Spokane Valley contracts with Spokane County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. The city does not have its own police department. For law enforcement records involving incidents in Spokane Valley, contact the Spokane County Sheriff's Office rather than Spokane Valley City Hall.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office handles incident reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement records from Spokane Valley incidents. Submit requests through the Spokane County Sheriff's public disclosure process. Some law enforcement records are exempt under RCW 42.56.240 if they relate to active investigations. The Sheriff's Office must respond within five business days and provide a written denial with the specific legal basis if records are withheld.
Spokane Valley City Hall handles city government records — council minutes, permits, city contracts, budgets — but not Sheriff law enforcement records. Be sure to direct your request to the right office based on what records you need.
What Spokane Valley City Records Include
Spokane Valley city records cover all documents the city creates, owns, uses, or retains in official business. City Council materials, land use applications, building permits, contracts, budget documents, code enforcement files, and administrative correspondence are all public records subject to RCW 42.56. Spokane Valley was incorporated in 2003, so city records only go back to that year. For older records of activities in the area before incorporation, those would be Spokane County records.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records tied to active investigations are the most common exemptions. When the city denies a request, it must provide the specific statutory basis in writing. Requestors who disagree can seek review or petition Spokane County Superior Court.
Spokane Valley Municipal Court handles traffic infractions and misdemeanor cases within city limits. Court records are governed by court rules and GR 31, not the Public Records Act. Contact the court directly for court case records. For felony criminal cases and major civil matters, those are filed at Spokane County Superior Court.
Spokane County Records for Spokane Valley Residents
Superior Court filings, property records, recorded documents, and Sheriff records for Spokane Valley are held by Spokane County. The county seat is Spokane. For county records, contact Spokane County directly. Visit the Spokane County public records page for county contacts and online tools.
Spokane County Superior Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above $100,000, family law, probate, and appeals. The Spokane County Clerk maintains court files. Property records including deeds, liens, and mortgages are recorded with the Spokane County Auditor. The Spokane County Assessor maintains parcel and property tax records. Spokane County Sheriff provides law enforcement services to Spokane Valley and other unincorporated and contracted areas of the county.
Online Search Tools
The Washington State Courts Odyssey Portal provides free access to Spokane County Superior Court case information. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical records from Spokane County free to search. For vital records, contact the Washington State Department of Health.
Nearby Washington Cities
These cities are near Spokane Valley in Eastern Washington. Each has its own public records process.