Legislative Records

Council Bills/ Ordinances - 1869-present
Ordinances are City legislation which have the force of law. They are called Council Bills before they are enacted, and become Ordinances if passed by the City Council and approved. The Council Bills and Ordinances index contains the full text of all legislation introduced since January 1996.
City Council Resolutions - 1890-present
Resolutions are City legislation of an advisory nature, which state policy, or which take certain actions without the force of law. The Resolution index contains the full text of all legislation introduced since January 1996.
Comptroller/ Clerk Files - 1895-present
Clerk and Comptroller Files are official filings of the City which include such items as land use case files before the City Council, appointment files, election campaign reporting files, agency rules, and reports. Selected recent documents contain full text in electronic form.
Summary lists of City of Seattle Ordinances
This document allows retrieval of lists of City of Seattle Ordinances by year of adoption.

Municipal Code and Charter

Seattle Municipal Code
The Seattle Municipal Code is a classified compilation of the general and permanent ordinances of the City of Seattle. More on the SMC.
Seattle City Charter
The City Charter embodies the fundamental principles of the City, defines the City's powers and duties, and guarantees certain rights to the people.

Legislative Process

City Council Minutes - 2002-present
Minutes of the full City Council meetings are searchable in full text. Minutes of Council Committee meetings are not included.
City Council Agendas - 2002-present
Agendas of full City Council Meeting and Council Committees are searchable in full text.
City Council Committee History Database
This database contains descriptions, membership information, and dates of existence for Seattle City Council committees from 1946 to the present.
Seattle City Council Rules and Procedures, as amended through Resolution No. 30948.
Rules governing Council procedures for quasi-judicial proceedings, adopted September 17, 2007
Rescinded Rules governing Council procedures for quasi-judicial proceedings, adopted March 18, 1996, and still relevant to some projects.
Citizen Initiative and Referenda Guides
Reference Tools