How to File a Public Records Request in Juneau, Alaska

What Is the Alaska Public Records Act?

The Alaska Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Alaska Statutes Title 40, Chapter 25 (AS 40.25.100–40.25.295), establishes that the public records of all public agencies in Alaska — state, local, and across all branches of government — are open to inspection and copying by any person during regular office hours. The Alaska Supreme Court has characterized this right of access as fundamental and has consistently ruled that exceptions to disclosure must be narrowly construed.

Public records include virtually any document developed or received in connection with official business, regardless of format. This encompasses paper documents, emails, electronic databases, contracts, meeting minutes, permits, budgets, and correspondence. The statute broadly defines "public records" as books, papers, files, accounts, writings — including drafts and memorializations of conversations — and other items, regardless of format or physical characteristics (AS 40.25.220(3)).

Key exemptions under AS 40.25.120 include vital statistics and adoption records, juvenile records, medical and public health records, records required to be kept confidential by federal or state law, certain law enforcement investigative records, and information protected by attorney-client privilege. The deliberative process privilege may also shield pre-decisional internal communications. The burden of proving that an exemption applies rests entirely on the agency — not on the person requesting the records.

Read the full text of the Alaska Public Records Act (Alaska Statutes Title 40, Chapter 25 (AS 40.25.100–40.25.295))

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of Juneau

How to Submit Your Request

The City and Borough of Juneau accepts public records requests through the Municipal Clerk's Office. You can submit a request by emailing [email protected], by fax to (907) 586-4552, by mail to 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, AK 99801, or in person at City Hall during regular business hours. CBJ provides a Public Records Request Form on the Municipal Clerk's records page, which you are encouraged to use but is not strictly required. For Community Development records (permits, zoning, etc.), you may also contact CDD directly. For police records, the Juneau Police Department has its own electronic records request form at juneau.org/police/forms. Written requests should be as specific as possible — identify the subject matter, date range, and any relevant department.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and contact information (mailing address, email, phone number)
• A clear and specific description of the records you are requesting
• The relevant date range for the records
• The department or office most likely to hold the records (if known)
• Your preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copies)
• A reference to the Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.110) as the legal basis for your request
• Any maximum fee amount you are willing to pay before being contacted for approval

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

The response timeline for public records requests from the City and Borough of Juneau involves both state and local frameworks. Under Alaska's administrative regulations (2 AAC 96.325), state executive branch agencies must respond within 10 working days. However, it is important to note that the Alaska Attorney General's office has confirmed that these state administrative regulations do not directly bind municipalities. CBJ adopted its own public records ordinance (CBJ Code 01.70) which states that requests will be responded to as staff time allows without interrupting the orderly conduct of city business. In practice, CBJ has historically followed the 10-working-day standard as a general guideline.

The initial response may take several forms: the agency may produce all responsive records, acknowledge your request and provide an estimated timeline, deny the request with a written explanation and legal basis, request clarification about the records you are seeking, or provide a cost estimate requiring payment before work begins.

Under state regulations (2 AAC 96.325(d)), agencies may take a 10-working-day extension if they cannot complete a response within the initial period. Beyond that, additional extensions require either the requester's agreement or Attorney General approval.

Regarding fees, CBJ's fee structure is governed by Resolution 2288, which establishes fees for copying, certifying, and conforming documents. Agencies may charge the standard duplication cost for copies. Under AS 40.25.110(c), if fulfilling a request requires more than five person-hours of staff time in a calendar month, the agency may charge personnel costs at actual salary and benefit rates. Fees of $5 or less may be waived at the agency's discretion.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the City and Borough of Juneau denies your public records request — in whole or in part — the denial must include the specific legal grounds for withholding the records. If your request is simply being ignored or unreasonably delayed, that is also grounds for action.

Common reasons for denial include claims that the records are exempt under AS 40.25.120 (such as law enforcement investigative records, personnel records, medical records, or records protected by attorney-client privilege), that the request is too vague to identify specific records, or that the records do not exist. Always request that the agency release any reasonably segregable, non-exempt portions of partially exempt records.

If you believe the denial is incorrect, start with an informal approach — contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at (907) 586-5278 or [email protected] to discuss the denial and see if the issue can be resolved. If that does not work, you can escalate by writing to the CBJ Manager's Office or the Law Department.

Under 2 AAC 96.340, you have 60 working days from the date of denial to file an administrative appeal with the agency head. If the administrative appeal is unsuccessful, you may seek judicial relief under AS 40.25.124 (appeal of a final administrative order) or AS 40.25.125 (lawsuit for injunctive relief) in Alaska Superior Court, First Judicial District in Juneau. Be aware that under Alaska court rules, the losing party in a lawsuit is generally required to pay a portion of the prevailing party's attorney fees and costs, which means you should carefully evaluate the strength of your case before filing suit.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the Municipal Clerk's Office directly at (907) 586-5278 or [email protected] to discuss the denial and attempt informal resolution.
2. Request a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption under AS 40.25.120 or CBJ Code 01.70 for each record or portion withheld.
3. Escalate the matter to the CBJ Manager's Office or Law Department if the Clerk's Office cannot resolve the issue.
4. File a formal written administrative appeal with the agency head within 60 working days of the denial under 2 AAC 96.340, identifying the records at issue and the basis for your appeal.
5. If the administrative appeal is denied, file a court appeal under AS 40.25.124 or seek injunctive relief under AS 40.25.125 in Alaska Superior Court (First Judicial District in Juneau).
6. Be aware that under Alaska court rules, the losing party generally pays a portion of the prevailing party's attorney fees and costs — evaluate the strength of your case carefully before litigating.
7. Consider consulting with a media law or First Amendment attorney experienced with Alaska public records disputes.

Types of Records You Can Request from Juneau, Alaska

The Alaska Public Records Act and CBJ Code 01.70 cover virtually all records created or received by the City and Borough of Juneau in connection with official business. Here are examples of commonly requested municipal records:

• Assembly meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions
• Municipal budgets, financial statements, and audit reports
• Building permits, inspection reports, and code enforcement records
• Zoning applications and land use decisions
• Municipal contracts and vendor agreements
• Police incident and accident reports (subject to law enforcement exemptions)
• Fire department response and inspection records
• City employee salary and compensation data
• Correspondence and emails related to CBJ business
• Cruise ship tourism management records and docking agreements
• Harbor and port operations records
• Capital improvement project records and engineering studies
• Property assessment and tax records
• Planning Commission and advisory board meeting materials
• Grant applications and award documentation

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of Juneau to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in Juneau