Records Request

The City of Raleigh Communications Office accepts records requests online. The automated system contacts staff in the Communications Office as soon as an online form is completed and provides a confirmation email to the submitter. This streamlines the request process for members of the media, residents, and the business community.

Please see if your inquiry falls into any of the common public request categories below, and review our frequently asked questions before submitting a request through our online system.

Step 1: Check to see if record is already available online

Planning and Development Services

Public Safety

Public Utilities

City Council & Board and Commission Meetings

Open Data

Many other frequently-requested items are available through the Open Data Raleigh Portal.

* Information on Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy dates back to 2000. Please note the availability of documents for download can vary depending on project date and type.

Step 2: Review frequently asked questions 


What is a public record?
In general, a public record is any existing document or record that is made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by the City. These can be actual pieces of paper or electronic records.

I was looking for something that isn’t listed in the common City of Raleigh Records Requests. Are there other organizations that may have the records I need? 
Yes! While not a comprehensive list, the City is not involved in weddings, divorces, adoptions, birth certificates, death certificates, or court cases. The organizations listed below may be able to assist you with these types of records. 

Are there some things people ask for that there are not records for? 
North Carolina does not require business licenses, so there are not records related to them. Additionally, while the City uses traffic cameras in several spots in Raleigh, those camera feeds are used only for live monitoring of traffic. There is no recording made from those cameras.

What are some items that do have to be requested?
Great question! Many records from our Planning and Development Services Department have to be requested, such as building violations, zoning site review reports, and code complaints have to be requested. Bid proposals, 9-1-1 calls, unclaimed check information and insurance claim records also have to be requested.

We recognize that having more records online would serve the public better and streamline our work, and we are exploring ways to offer more records through our website and open data program in the future. 

What isn’t a public record?
North Carolina law makes many exceptions or exemptions for certain types of records. In addition, it’s important to note that 

  • The City does not produce analysis or breakdowns upon demand;
  • The City does not create new documents upon demand either; and
  • Existing documents that comply with the North Carolina Public Records Law are available, but documents are not converted or compiled upon request.

Please note that while a record you are looking for may not exist, that does not mean more information isn’t available. It might be more appropriate to make an appointment to speak with a departmental representative.

How do I request a public record?
It’s easy! Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page

Why am I being asked to fill out a form?
The City uses a ticketing system to track records requests and make sure your request is fulfilled. Requests made via the online form are seen by multiple team members. Should one person fall ill or go on vacation, another team member will be able to complete the task. This system also gives you a point of contact and tracking number for your request, which makes following up easier if you have questions at any point in the process. 

How long will it take?
Requests can vary greatly. If you’re asking for a single document that is readily available, turnaround time can be very short. If you’re asking for multiple types or a large number of documents, documents from multiple departments or anything that involves a large amount of data, turnaround time can be extensive.

How far back are public records available? What time frame should I request?
Raleigh has operated with a Council-Manager form of government since 1947. Searching for “all available records” on a given topic will take a significant amount of time, and is likely to be many records that will not be useful to you. In an effort to be responsive to requests without generating unnecessary staff work, we ask for a specific date range for requests. 

If a date range is not specified, a default date range of one year prior to the date of submission will be used.  If you review the results, and the information you are looking for is not included, we are happy to work with you on a supplemental request.

How do I request emails?
You can request emails using this form at the bottom of this page. The City generates an enormous amount of email, both coming and going, each day. Please be as specific as possible in your email search request. We ask that you provide a list of email addresses, date range, and specific keywords you’d like searched – similar to how you would shape a search engine query – using the format below.

  • Mailboxes/Department/Workgroup:
  • Key Words:
  • Date Range:

If the search criteria you provide are broad, the results may take a very long time to process and may produce such a large number of emails that they are not helpful to you. We’re happy to conduct a search based on your criteria and show you the results of your search.

Requests without these criteria cannot be processed. If you submit a request without either of the first two criteria, you will be contacted and asked to provide this information. If a date range is not specified, a default date range of one year prior to the date of submission will be used.  

Please note, emails are provided in the .pst format. This is the format that the Microsoft Outlook environment uses. 

Step 3: Complete the Record Request Form

If the record is not already available online, you can request a record be sent to you. We use a ticketing system to track and dispatch these requests. Using this form provides you with a tracking number and a point of contact, and makes it easier for us to process your request and contact you. Thank you for using the utilizing this tool!

Request Form

*None of the text fields on this form are required. If you prefer not to complete the form, you can make a public records request by calling 919-996-3100 and asking to leave a voice mail for a member of the records request team. Please remember that if you do not share a contact method, we will not be able to get records to you.

Submit a Request

A few tips to help us serve you better as you enter your request:

  • Please be specific and thorough about what you are requesting. The more information you provide, such as date ranges and key words, the quicker and more accurate the response will be.

  • Please submit your request only once. Submitting duplicate requests or sending an email after submitting a request will most likely delay the response.

  • If you are requesting multiple planning and development records for one address, please submit them in one request.  

  • If you have a large e-mail request, consider submitting it in multiple parts – for example, breaking the request into two date ranges. Please submit a new request for each group of documents.

Planning, Zoning & Development Navigator

There may be very few records available for older properties and projects. The City most frequently retains applications and permits for six years after Certificates of Occupancy/Completeness (CO) are issued (which happens after a project and all inspections are completed), and drawings - building plans, construction Plans, approved plans, plot plans and surveys - for one year after CO’s are issued.

The following questions will help you to determine what records may be available, and if you need to make a public records request to get copies of them.

What records are you requesting?
Please indicate the types of records you are requesting

This information is available through the self-service Permit & Development Portal at permitportal.raleighnc.gov for individual properties and groups of properties. A record will not be provided in response to selecting the, “Yes” box.)

Some records related to properties within the City of Raleigh are retained by other agencies. If you are looking for any of the below listed items, you may be able to access them for yourself. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate agency. Do not submit a request through the City of Raleigh records portal.

  1. Fire inspection, fire code violations, and reports are available from the Raleigh Fire Department at http://rfdreports.net.
  2. Hazardous materials information, including wells and septic tanks, are available from Wake County at https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/environmental-services.
  3. Build date and tax information (such as liens and foreclosures) is available as part of Wake County’s real estate records at https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/tax-administration/real-estate.
  4. Current zoning information is available as part of Wake County’s online mapping application at www.wakegov.com/imaps.

Contact

 

Steps to request a record: 
1. Check to see if record is already online.
2. Review FAQ section on this page.
3. Submit a records request form.

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Lead Department:
Communications
Service Categories:
Public Information and Social Media