The City of Gaithersburg provides access to its public records in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act

The City of Gaithersburg is committed to transparency and provides access to public records in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, Title 4 (§ 4-101 et seq.).

Under the MPIA, any person has the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records maintained by the City, unless the records are protected from disclosure by law. Please note that the MPIA does not require the City to create new records, conduct research, or answer questions, but only to provide access to existing records.

How to Submit a Request

You may submit a request for public records in one of the following ways:

• Online: Click the link to the right to submit a request on our online poral.
• By mail or in writing: Address your written request to the City's Custodian of Records:

City Clerk
City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Be as specific as possible in your request to help us locate the records efficiently.

Response Time

The City will respond to your request as promptly as possible. Under the MPIA:

• A response is required within 30 calendar days of receiving the request.
• If more time is needed, the City may request an extension with the applicant’s agreement.

Fees and Costs

In accordance with the MPIA, the City may charge reasonable fees to cover the costs of responding to your request. Fees may include:

• Photocopying/printing: A per-page fee may apply for physical copies.
• Staff time: The City may charge $31.91 per hour for time spent locating, reviewing, and redacting records, but the first two hours of staff time are free.
• Electronic media: If the request involves providing data on CDs, USB drives, or other media, the actual cost of those materials may be charged.
• Gaithersburg Police Department (GPD) Body Worn/In-Car Camera Videos: $55.61 per hour
• GPD Crime Statistics: $41.50 per hour
• GPD Personnel/Background Files/Internal Affairs: $89.51 per hour

If fees are expected to exceed $50, you will be notified in advance and asked to approve the charges before the request is fulfilled. In some cases, you may request a fee waiver, which the City may grant if the disclosure is in the public interest and not for commercial purposes.

If you have questions about the MPIA process or need help submitting a request, please contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@gaithersburgmd.gov.