Privacy & Security

Thank you for visiting the eCityGov.net web site and reviewing our privacy and security policy. This policy supports not only the eCityGov.net web site, but also all other eCityGov Alliance sites, including:

• MyBuildingPermit.com
• GovJobsToday.com (Inactive as of December 31, 2020) 
• NWProperty.net (Inactive as of January 31, 2020)
• MyParksandRecreation.com (Inactive as of December 31, 2016)

This policy addresses: what personal information about visitors is collected on this site; how private information is held; how it will be used; and under what conditions this information may be shared or released to another party

eCityGov Alliance (Alliance) policies exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate data/information possessed by Alliance government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the disclosure of data/information provided by Alliance policies, and State and Federal laws. These exceptions include the privacy of individuals. Information collected at this site becomes public record and may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exception in law exists.

The information in this statement and/or the policies described here may change at any time, without prior notice to any visitor. Our privacy policy is very simple. We do not collect personal information about you unless you choose to provide it to us. You will still be able to access the site; however, you will not be able to transact business without providing this information.

We automatically collect statistical information as described below but only to assist us in improving this site. eCityGov.net does not:

• Share any personal information gathered on this web site with other agencies, organizations, or persons unless required by law.
• Collect and/or sell information for commercial marketing.

This notice covers the following topics:

• Automatically Collected Information
• Personal Information
• Public Access to Information Site Security
• Electronic Commerce
• Links to Other Sites
• Disclaimer
• Internet Terms of Use

Information that Alliance May Collect and How It May be Used

If you only browse our web site or download data, some information will be collected automatically. This information will not identify you personally. We collect or store it to improve the content of our Web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. Additionally, the data we collect helps us route Web traffic and track down viruses and attacks against our site. Our web site logs do not identify anyone personally, and we make no attempt to link them with the individuals that browse the Alliance web site. The following information is collected each time someone visits any web site:

• The Internet domain name (examples: gmail.com or comcast.net) from which you access our site. Note, this is not your Internet address.
• The Internet Protocol (IP) address and domain name from which you connected to our site. The Internet Protocol address is a number assigned to your computer or provided by your Internet Service Provider whenever you browse the Internet. We use this address to send data you request back to you. It is not the email address.
• The type of browser you used to visit our site.
• The type of operating system you used and your connection speed.
• The date and time you visit our site.
• The specific pages you visit at our site.
• If you linked to our site from another web site, the address of that site.

Personal Information and Choice

"Personal information" is information about an individual that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes personal identifiers such as an individual's name, address, business address, e-mail address and phone number. Except as otherwise provided in this policy, we will keep personal information private and not share it unless disclosure is necessary to comply with the law, a court order, or other legal process or to protect the rights of the Alliance or enforce some term or provision of this policy.

We will not collect personal information about you unless you participate in an activity that requests information (i.e. sending an e-mail or participating in a survey). If you do not to participate in these activities, your choice will in no way affect your ability to use any other feature of the Alliance’s web site.
In registering for, applying for, and paying for permits or performing some other transaction on-line; in filling out a form or a survey; or in sending an e-mail, you will be asked to voluntarily provide the following personal information:

1. Information by participating in an on-line transaction with any of the cities.
2. Information through an on-line form.
3. Information in response to a survey.
4. The e-mail address and contents for those who communicate with us via e-mail.

A domain name or Internet protocol address is not considered personal information.

The information you provide will be used only for the purpose for which it is intended. This personal information, once submitted to this web site, becomes a public record subject to public record keeping regulations, including disclosure. (See the definition of a public record). In most cases the information you give us will be used only to help us in providing you with the services or information that you request.

The information collected may not be limited to text characters and will include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us. The information is retained in accordance with the Alliance’s policies. The Alliance may use your email to respond to your message, to assist in obtaining information you have requested, to address issues you identify, to further improve our web site, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action. Survey information will be used for the purpose designated.

We will not knowingly collect information from or maintain information for children under the age of 18. Also, no part of the Alliance web sites are structured towards anyone under 18. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult and may be subject to public access.

Public Disclosure

The Alliance strives to protect personally identifiable information by collecting only information necessary to deliver our services. All information that may be collected by the Alliance becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists. For instance, if personal information is requested or volunteered, Alliance rules and regulations, Washington State Public Disclosure law, or other Federal statutes may protect it from disclosure. Unless confidentiality is specifically authorized by law, no privilege or protection from disclosure is warranted or otherwise implied by the Alliance. RCW 42.17.260(9) prohibits the commercial use of lists of individuals’ information (including address, phone, or e-mail) provided on this site. In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.

Use of Cookies

To better serve our users, we use "cookies" to customize your browsing experience on some parts of the Alliance web sites. A cookie is a small data file which may include an anonymous unique identifier that is sent to your browser from a web site's computers and may either be used only during your session (a "session" cookie) or may be stored on your computer's hard drive (a "persistent" cookie). Cookies can contain data about user movement during the visit to the web site. If your browser software is set to allow cookies, a web site can send its own cookie to you. The Alliance’s web site may send cookies that will be placed on your machine.
Cookies are a mechanism for maintaining continuity during a user's visit to a web site. They allow data to be maintained for users' benefit as they navigate a site. This is referred to as "session" or "management" cookie. These cookies go away when you terminate your visit to the web site as they are maintained only in your browser's active memory during your session.

Cookies may also be stored on your computer so that you can be recognized by a web site on subsequent visits. They are read by the web site that set them whenever you re-visit the web site. They are often used on web sites that require you to login so that you can avoid having to enter all of your login information every visit. They may store information on your unique identifier and the areas of the web site you have visited before. These cookies are stored on your computer's hard drive after you have left your web site visit and consequently are often referred to as "persistent" cookies. You may be able to configure your browser to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. (Each browser is different, so check the "Help" menu of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences.)

Security

The Alliance has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management. The Alliance, however, does not guarantee the absolute security of information it maintains.

Electronic Commerce

You have the option to do business on-line with our cities, including making electronic payments for goods and services. Such transactions are allowed only under tightly controlled circumstances, where there are appropriate technological and other safeguards in place to protect financial and other sensitive data. All credit card transactions are encrypted, and credit card numbers are not stored in the Alliance systems.

The Alliance is responsible for properly securing communications that are exempt from public disclosure, including financial information.

The design of the electronic commerce systems supported on the Alliance web sites are such that financial data remains primarily with financial institutions. Wherever possible, financial information is not seen or collected by the cities themselves. Instead, designated banks route the data, transfer the funds, and confirm payment to both you and the applicable city. In addition, measures including but not limited to encryption are used to ensure the integrity and security of your financial information.

The provision of this information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice or warranting as fail proof the security of information provided via the Alliance web sites.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

Reasonable effort is made to ensure that information contained on the Alliance web sites have been produced and processed from sources believed to be reliable, however, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information herein.

The Alliance web sites may contain hypertext links to external web sites and pages containing information created and maintained by public and private organizations other than Alliance. These may include links to web sites operated by other government agencies or by nonprofit organizations. When you connect to another site, you are no longer on the Alliance web sites and this policy will not apply. When you connect to another web site, you are subject to the policies of that site. The Alliance’s web site is designed to provide businesses, visitors and residents access to Alliance government departments, services and programs. Secondarily, the Alliance web sites provide businesses, residents and visitors links to pertinent visitor-related information about the area. From time to time, the Alliance may wish to provide links to other sites that provide local, state or federal government information, additional information about the community, including festivals, cultural events and local news, or other information supporting the department’s mission and programs. The Alliance, its employees, officials, officers, and agents shall not be responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced. Such links are provided for information only and do not constitute an endorsement of any kind.

The Alliance, its employees, officials, officers, agents, as well as the contributors to this web site, shall not be held responsible or liable for any use of, error, omission, defect, delay in transmission or operation, computer virus, communication failure, theft, destruction, unauthorized access to, the information contained on the Alliance web sites.

Maps and related reports are based on the best available information and are intended for property owners, project applicants, citizens and city staff to use as a general guide. The information contained may be updated as new information is identified and/or resource materials become available. The boundaries of properties and displayed features are generalized. Field investigation and analysis by a qualified expert of site-specific conditions, municipal codes and ordinances may be necessary to confirm the location of property lines, existence of a critical area and applicable buffers and setbacks.

Any commercial use or sale of the information and data presented by this web site, or portions thereof, is prohibited without express written authorization by the Alliance. Neither the Alliance nor its member agencies will be responsible for any damages arising from the use of information on this web site.

This web site is governed by the state of Washington. Any use of the site must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations as well as the policies and disclaimers on this site.

USE OF THESE SERVICES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE ALLIANCE WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED IN THE CONTENT OF ITS SERVICES. "THE ALLIANCE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO INVOKE ALL LEGAL DEFENSES TO ANY ACTIONS FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE DEFENSE OF THE DOCTRINE OF GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY. USE OR RELIANCE ON ANY OF THE MATERIAL PROVIDED HEREIN IS AT THE USER'S RISK AND THE USER ASSUMES ALL SUCH RISK."

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE ALLIANCE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, CONDITION, GUARANTEE OR REPRESENTATION, WHETHER VERBAL, IN WRITING OR IN ELECTRONIC FORM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN OR PROVIDED BY THE SERVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ALLIANCE BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE ALLIANCE SERVICES.

THE INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS, AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED ON THIS SERVER COULD INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY MADE TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN. THE ALLIANCE MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR CHANGES IN THE SERVICES AND/OR THE CONTENT(S) DESCRIBED HEREIN AT ANY TIME.