Open Records Request

To request public records from the township, please complete the Right-to-Know request form and submit it to South Fayette Township in person, by mail, by email or by fax.

Right-to-Know Guidelines

South Fayette Township aims to assure compliance with the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. The township provides access to public records in a manner that preserves the integrity of the records and minimizes the associated financial impact.

Open Records Officer

The Township Manager is designated as the Open Records Officer responsible for assuring compliance.

Public Records Requests

All requests for public records shall be specific in identifying and describing each public record requested. In no case shall the township be required to create a public record which does not exist or to compile, maintain, format, or organize a public record in a manner in which the township does not currently do so.

All requests for public records shall be submitted in writing. No verbal or anonymous requests will be accepted.

Fees

Fees for duplication of public records shall be as follows, but not in excess of those authorized by the Office of Open Records, except where a higher charge is authorized by law:

  • Photocopying: $0.25 per page
  • Duplication of public records and/or tape records: actual cost to the township of duplicating the public record
  • Certified Copies: $1 per record
  • Postage: actual cost to the township of mailing the public record
  • Vehicle Accident Report: $15

If the estimated cost of fulfilling a request is expected to exceed $100, the township shall obtain 50% of the expected cost in advance. The township may use discretion to waive fees.

Response Time

The Open Records Officer shall facilitate a reasonable response and shall respond to the requester within 5 business days from the date of receipt of the written request. If the township does not respond within 5 business days of receipt thereof, the request is deemed denied.

The response provided by the township shall either:

  • Approve access to the record
  • State that the request is being reviewed
  • Approve / deny access in part
  • Deny access to the record

Records Under Review

If the request is being reviewed, the notice provided by the township shall be in writing and shall include the reason for the review and the expected response date, which shall be within 30 days of the notice of review. If the township does not respond within 30 days thereof, the request is deemed denied.

Denial & Exception

If the request is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file an appeal in writing with the Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the mailing date of the township's notice of denial, or within fifteen 15 days of a deemed denial.