Tri-Cities WCAG Requirements for City Websites

Technology and Data Washington 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Washington

This guide explains how WCAG applies to municipal websites serving Tri-Cities, Washington, and outlines practical fixes, reporting routes, and administrative steps for city web teams and contractors. It summarizes what to check on webpages, how to document barriers, the offices typically responsible for access, and basic timelines for remediation. Use this as a municipal-focused checklist to prepare accessibility plans, public notices, and vendor contracts so city services meet recognized accessibility standards and reduce legal risk.

Penalties & Enforcement

Local municipalities in the Tri-Cities area typically follow federal accessibility law (the Americans with Disabilities Act) and state guidance for web accessibility. Specific municipal code fines or statutory amounts for web inaccessibility are not commonly listed on city code pages; where amounts or fines are not shown on an official municipal page, this guide states "not specified on the cited page." Enforcement commonly arises from administrative complaints to city ADA coordinators, state agencies, or federal enforcement by the U.S. Department of Justice.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first complaint, demand for remediation, repeat or continuing noncompliance may lead to administrative or federal enforcement; exact escalation steps are not specified on a single municipal code page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remedial orders, mandatory remediation timelines, injunctive relief, and court actions are typical enforcement outcomes under ADA and related laws.
  • Enforcer and contact paths: municipal ADA coordinator, city clerk or law department, and state or federal enforcement agencies handle complaints; procedures vary by city.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes often follow administrative complaint processes or court review; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
File complaints promptly to preserve appeal rights.

Applications & Forms

Many cities do not publish a specific "web accessibility remediation" permit or form. Instead, accessibility complaints or requests for accommodation typically use the city ADA complaint form or general complaint/records request forms. If no city-specific web accessibility form is published, use the ADA or general complaint form indicated on the municipality's official site.

Common Violations and Typical Remedies

  • Missing alternative text for images — remedy: add descriptive alt attributes and decorative tags where appropriate.
  • Insufficient keyboard navigation — remedy: ensure focus order, visible focus indicators, and keyboard operability.
  • Poor color contrast — remedy: update color choices to meet WCAG AA contrast ratios or provide alternate accessible styles.
  • Inaccessible PDF/forms — remedy: provide accessible HTML alternatives, properly tagged PDFs, or clearly labeled fillable forms.
Document each barrier with screenshots and the page URL to speed remediation.

Action Steps for City Web Teams

  • Run automated scans and manual checks to identify high-risk barriers.
  • Prioritize public-facing transactional pages and critical documents for remediation.
  • Assign remediation tasks to developers or vendors with WCAG experience; require accessibility testing in contracts.
  • Budget for remediation and ongoing monitoring in annual IT or communications plans.
  • Publish clear complaint and accommodation procedures on the city website and list the ADA coordinator contact.
Include accessibility requirements in all future vendor contracts.

FAQ

Who enforces web accessibility for Tri-Cities municipal sites?
Enforcement may come from the city ADA coordinator, state agencies, or the U.S. Department of Justice depending on the complaint and statutory basis. Municipalities also handle internal remediation requests.
Do Tri-Cities cities have a WCAG-level requirement?
Many municipalities aim to meet WCAG 2.1 AA as best practice; specific municipal code requirements vary and may not list a single WCAG conformance level in the municipal code text.
How long do I have to appeal an accessibility order?
Time limits for appeals depend on the enforcing body; municipal pages do not always specify uniform appeal deadlines, so file early and consult the city ADA coordinator.

How-To

  1. Inventory public-facing pages and documents to create an accessibility risk register.
  2. Run automated tools, then perform manual checks for keyboard, screen reader, and contrast issues.
  3. Remediate critical barriers first: forms, payment pages, PDFs, and notifications.
  4. Set remediation deadlines and publish a public accessibility statement with a contact for reporting problems.
  5. Conduct third-party accessibility testing and train staff on accessible content creation.
  6. Maintain records of complaints, remediation actions, and testing for potential appeals or audits.

Key Takeaways

  • Tri-Cities web teams should treat WCAG 2.1 AA as a practical baseline for municipal sites.
  • Document barriers and remediation to reduce enforcement risk and support appeals.
  • Publish an accessibility statement and clear complaint procedure on the municipal site.

Help and Support / Resources

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data