NOTICE REGARDING CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CITY OF VENICE’S PUBLIC RECORDS CUSTODIAN

The Office of the City Clerk is the City of Venice’s custodian of public records. Pursuant to Section 119.12, Florida Statutes, the contact information for the City of Venice’s custodian of public records is to be prominently posted in the administrative building where the City of Venice’s public records are routinely created, sent, received, maintained, and requested.

The contact information for the City of Venice’s City Clerk is:

Kelly Michaels, MMC, City Clerk

Mailing:  Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL  34285, or by phone: 941-486-2626 (Tel), 941-480-3031 (Fax)

What is a public records request:  A public records request is a request for a document, email, text, minutes, certificate, permit, photo, recording, etc., which is a record that is already in existence.  It is not a request for information or completion of a form to answer questions. 

Please be advised that the Sunshine Law provides you the right of access to inspect existing public records.   It doesn't mandate the City give out information from records nor does it mandate the City create a new record to accommodate a request for information.  The City is also not required to accept standing requests for future records not already in existence at the time of the request.

Building Permits:  There is a significant amount of information concerning closed (completed) building permits that can be found online through the City's eTrackit system.  If you are looking for information on a specific property, try searching online using the instructions below:

How to search a permit: eTRAKiT (venicegov.com)

Use the toggles to change your search options to address or permit if you know the number.

The middle box must always say CONTAINS.

Lien Searches: (Conduits): If you are looking for access to the City's interests against specific properties including property liens, open permits, code and permit violations and utility balances on a property, this is not a records request.  This information is provided by the City in a report through Conduits which is operated and supported by Net Assets Corporation.

Zoning Verification Letters:  If you are looking for information regarding a specific property's zoning, this is not a records request.  You may contact the City's Planning and Zoning Department at (941) 882-7434 to request a Zoning Verification letter.

How to make a request for an existing public record:  When making a request, please be as specific as possible as to the record you are requesting.  Some common clarifications that may be related to the subject of your records request and will assist us in locating the record, include the following: document or record type, subject property address, permit number, type of permit, date of service or meeting, ordinance or resolution number, development name, patient name, run number, report number, etc.  The more information you can provide, the quicker it is for us to locate the record.   

Many properties with a Venice mailing address are not actually located within the borders of the City.  Please make sure the property is located within the municipal borders of the City of Venice.  If you are unsure, try performing an online "Quick Search" of the address on the Sarasota County Property Search site to check the municipality location prior to making your request.  

Pursuant to Florida statute 119.07(1)(b) requests requiring extensive work, are charged to you upon advanced notification and payment.

Once you are ready, follow this link to make a Public Records Request.