Transparency & Accountability

North Carolina Public Records Law 

Government records in North Carolina are public in nature unless identified as confidential pursuant to law. The City of Fayetteville must adhere to the North Carolina Public Records Law, found at N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, which provides that “the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people.  Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law.”

The Law states that public records "shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."

N.C.G.S. 132-1.2 and N.C.G.S. 14-113.20 define "confidential information" and "identifying information."  The City of Fayettevile acknowledges and adheres to these definitions and the direction provided in N.C.G.S 132-1.

• City Policy and Guidelines for Processing a Public Records Request (.pdf)

• Reproduction on CD or DVD: $1.00 per CD or DVD
• Paper Copies (up to 8.5" by 14" inches):
  • Single-sided black and white: $0.05 per page
  • Single-sided color: $0.19 per page
  • Double-sided black and white: $0.09 per page
  • Double-sided color: $0.37 per page 
• Public Records Fee: There is a fee for Public Records Request that consumes a large amount of time or IT resources to compile. Please note the fee does not apply to time spent redacting confidential records. 
  • Less than 4 hours: No Charge
  • 4 hours or greater: Each hour beyond 4 billed based on current compensation rate for Office Assistant II position; hourly cost shared at time of records request, not to exceed maximum charge of $750 per request