The Public Records Act (PRA) requires that all public records maintained by state and local agencies be made available to all members of the public, with very narrow statutory exemptions.

The Town of Friday Harbor is required by chapter 40.14 RCW to retain records for different lengths of time depending on the content, function, and purpose of the record. The Local Government Records Retention Schedules, approved by the state and local records committees and published by the Washington State Archives (a division of the Office of the Secretary of State), establish the time frames for records retention, archiving and destruction.

The Town of Friday Harbor adopted Ordinance No. 1826 on October 16, 2025, to update the Public Records Policy previously adopted on  August 7, 2014 and amended on November 21, 2024. 

To make a public records request, complete the Records Request form and submit it to clerk@fridayharbor.org or mail it to PO Box 219, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Please note: Pursuant RCW 42.56.120, public records requests are subject to applicable fees. Please refer to the Town Fee Schedule for actual cost. USB Drives require a deposit. There is no fee for inspecting public records in person.