Tempe City Clerk Duties, Notices & Bylaws Guide

General Governance and Administration Arizona 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Arizona

In Tempe, Arizona the City Clerk is the custodian of municipal records, records public notices and agendas, administers certification and elections-related documents, and supports transparency for residents and businesses. This guide explains core duties, how public notices and agendas are published, where to request records, and practical steps to comply with local bylaws and administrative procedures.

Roles & Responsibilities of the City Clerk

The City Clerk’s office manages official records, publishes meeting agendas and minutes, processes public records requests, administers municipal elections and maintains the municipal code repository for Tempe. The City Clerk also certifies documents and handles legal notices required by ordinance or state law.[1]

Contact the City Clerk early when you need certified records or legal notices.

Public Notices, Agendas, and Posting

Public notices and meeting agendas for Tempe boards and council are posted according to local procedures and applicable state open meetings requirements. Agendas are typically posted online and at designated public posting locations; copies and archived minutes are available through the City Clerk.

  • Agendas posted online and at city-designated public locations.
  • Legal notices and ordinance summaries when required for hearings or code changes.
  • Minutes and certified copies of resolutions and ordinances available on request.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties, fines, and enforcement procedures for violations of Tempe municipal ordinances are set out in the municipal code and related enforcement policies. Specific fine amounts and escalation schedules are not specified on the cited municipal-code landing page for Tempe; consult the relevant ordinance section or enforcement division for exact figures.[2]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; fines vary by ordinance and section.[2]
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing offences handled per the ordinance language; ranges not specified on the cited landing page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, abatement, permit suspensions, or court action may be applied by the enforcing office.
  • Enforcer: relevant city department (e.g., Code Enforcement, Planning & Building, or Licensing) enforces specific ordinances; appeals follow administrative or judicial routes as described in the municipal code.
If a fine amount or escalation schedule is critical, request the specific ordinance section from the City Clerk.

Applications & Forms

Many actions require forms or online submissions handled by the City Clerk or the enforcing department. Examples include records requests, permit applications, and code-enforcement complaint forms. Specific form names, fees, and submission methods are published on the City’s official pages and department portals; some forms are submitted online while others may require in-person or mailed delivery.

  • Public records request form or portal: submit via the City Clerk records request process (see Resources).
  • Permit and application fees: amount depends on the permit type; check the issuing department’s fee schedule.
  • Submission and deadlines: forms and deadlines vary by case—contact the listed department for exact instructions.

Action Steps

  • To obtain certified records: contact the City Clerk’s office and follow the records request procedure.
  • To publish or serve a legal notice: consult the City Clerk for required language, posting locations, and timing.
  • To challenge an enforcement action: follow the appeal process in the applicable ordinance or request review from the enforcing department.

FAQ

What does the Tempe City Clerk do?
The City Clerk maintains official records, posts agendas and notices, processes public-records requests, and certifies documents for Tempe residents and officials.
How do I request a public record?
Submit a public-records request through the City Clerk’s records request process or portal; see the City Clerk pages for the required form and submission options.
Where are meeting agendas posted?
Agendas are posted online and at city-designated public posting locations; archived minutes are available upon request.

How-To

  1. Identify the record or notice you need and note any deadlines or certification requirements.
  2. Complete the public records request form or online portal submission with as much detail as possible.
  3. Pay any applicable certification or copying fees as directed by the City Clerk.
  4. Follow up with the City Clerk or enforcing department if you do not receive a timely response.
Official forms and fee schedules are maintained by the City Clerk and enforcing departments.

Key Takeaways

  • The City Clerk is the municipal records custodian and the primary contact for public notices.
  • Agendas, notices, and certified documents are available through official City channels.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Tempe: City Clerk — records, agendas, and notice procedures
  2. [2] Tempe Municipal Code — code of ordinances

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