Glendale Public Records
Glendale public records include police reports, building permits, court cases, and city documents from this West Valley community.
Glendale Quick Facts
Glendale Public Records Overview
The city serves about 250,000 residents in Maricopa County. Glendale is the fifth-largest city in Arizona. It shares a border with Phoenix and sits in the heart of the West Valley. The city hosts major sports and entertainment venues, including the stadium where the Super Bowl has been played. Large events and steady growth create many public records.
Arizona law gives everyone the right to inspect public records. A.R.S. 39-121 says public records are open to any person at all times during office hours. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The city cannot ask your reason. This open records law applies to Glendale city records as well as state and county documents throughout Arizona.
The city keeps documents on permits, code cases, contracts, council meetings, and city operations. Building permits show what work owners have done on their property. Code enforcement records show violations and how they were resolved. Council records show decisions made by elected officials.
How to Request Glendale Public Records
Glendale accepts public records requests through its website and by email. The City Clerk handles most requests for city records. The process is straightforward for most common documents.
Visit the Glendale Public Records Request page to learn about the process. Email requests to CityClerk@glendaleaz.com. You can describe what records you want in your email. Be specific about dates, names, and addresses when you know them.
Contact the City Clerk at 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 455. Phone: (623) 930-2252. Staff can help with questions about available records and fees. They can also tell you which department has the records you need if you are not sure where to look.
Requests by email or website are often faster than in-person visits. You get a written record of your request and the city's response. This creates a paper trail if you ever need it later.
Glendale Building Permits
Building permit records are public in Arizona. Anyone can look up permit history for a property. This helps home buyers check what work was done and if it had proper permits. Contractors use permit records to see what systems exist in a building before starting new work.
The city uses the SmartGov system for building permits and development projects. You can search permits and check status online. The Glendale SmartGov portal provides access to permit information. Search by address or permit number to find project details.
The system shows permit applications, inspection results, and project status. This helps when you need to verify work was properly permitted. Each permit file shows the scope of work, the contractor who did it, and whether inspections passed or failed.
Code enforcement records show violations at properties. Common cases involve construction without permits, junk vehicles, weeds, and noise complaints. These records are public. They can tell you about problems at a property before you buy. Request code files through the City Clerk.
Glendale City Court Records
Glendale City Court handles city ordinance violations and misdemeanors. Traffic tickets, minor criminal offenses, and code violations go to this court. Contact the court directly for case information.
City Court: (623) 930-2400. For Superior Court cases like felonies and civil lawsuits, use the Maricopa County court system. The city court and county court are separate systems with different records.
Court records include filings, hearing dates, judgments, and sentencing information. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge. Contact the court clerk for information on how to access specific case files.
Glendale Records Fees
Viewing records in person is free. Fees apply for copies and research. The city sets these fees by ordinance to cover the cost of staff time and materials.
Standard fees for Glendale records include research at $17 per name search, standard copies at $0.50 per page, and certification at $17 per document. These fees are typical for Arizona cities. Electronic records may cost less than paper. Ask about electronic delivery if you want to save on copy costs.
If your request requires extensive staff time beyond the basic search, the city may charge for labor. Staff time charges typically apply when a request takes more than 15 minutes to process. Ask about estimated fees before the city starts work if cost is a concern.
Glendale Property and Superior Court Records
Property records and Superior Court cases go through Maricopa County. The city of Glendale does not maintain these records. You need to contact county offices for deeds, liens, property tax data, and court filings.
Visit the Maricopa County Public Records page for property and court information. The county Recorder keeps property deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Assessor maintains property tax records and valuations. The Clerk of Superior Court handles civil and criminal case files.
All of these county offices have online search tools. You can look up property ownership, tax history, and court cases from your computer without visiting the courthouse in person.
Tips for Glendale Records Requests
Be specific about what you want. Include addresses, names, and dates when you can. Vague requests take longer. The city may ask for more details before searching. Clear requests get faster results.
Check the online permit system first. Many building permit records are already available through SmartGov. You can search without filing a formal request. This saves time for both you and city staff.
Know your fees. Research and copy fees add up on large requests. Ask for a fee estimate before the city starts work. You can narrow your request to reduce costs if needed.