Public Comment Guide

Councilmembers welcome public engagement in a variety of ways: over the phone, in writing, and in person through conversations at meetings and public events, among others.

Public comment at City Council meetings can be presented in one of two ways:

Public comment
Public comment is dedicated time of up to 20 minutes for the public to speak to items listed on the meeting's agenda.

Each speaker may be provided up to two minutes to speak.

In addition to topics on the agenda, the committee chair may allow public comment on other topics.
Public hearing
A public hearing is a separate public comment opportunity to speak on a specific subject.

Certain types of Council actions require a public hearing.
City Council meeting agendas and notices on a stand outside Council Chamber doors
City Council meeting agendas and notices are located outside the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.

You can also access City Council Agendas online.

Signing up to speak

Person signing up to speak at the table located inside the Council Chamber
Sign up to speak on the public comment sign-up sheet located inside the Council Chamber at least 15 minutes prior to each City Council meeting.

Please review the speaker notice and complete the requested information on the public comment sign-up sheet.
Person and Time
The Committee Chair will open public comment by announcing the allotted time provided for the comment period and for individual speakers.

Preparing speaking points in advance can be helpful.
speaker at a podium
Speaker names are called in numerical order.

When your name is called, approach the podium and microphone.

State your name and the agenda item you will be addressing.
Please be attentive to the time allotted out of respect for other speakers. This maximizes the number of speakers who are able to participate.
Comment card
Written public comments are accepted. Written Public Comment forms are also available inside the Council Chamber.
Email
You may email comments to individual Councilmembers or to all Councilmembers at council@seattle.gov.

Public Comment Exceptions

City Council Rules do not allow for public comment at Special Full Council and Council Briefing meetings.

City Council Rules prohibit public comment on proposals subject to quasi-judicial proceedings.

Requests for Accommodations

Accommodations for vision, hearing, mobility, and language

City Hall and the City Council Chamber are ADA accessible.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter assistance or other translation services can be provided. For detailed accessibility information and for accommodation requests, please call 206-684-8888 (TTY Relay 7-1-1), or visit our Accessibility and Requests for Accommodations website.

Rules of Conduct

no phone sounds
As a courtesy to others, please silence your phone and refrain from distracting or disruptive conduct.

The City Rules of Conduct regarding City Buildings and Premises (Rule 05-02 and Rule 06-03) are available at the City Hall lobby security desk, at the Council reception desk on the second floor, and at the City Clerk's Office on the third floor.

City Clerk

Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
Address: 600 4th Ave, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94728, Seattle, WA, 98124-4728
Phone: (206) 684-8344
CityClerk@seattle.gov

The Office of the City Clerk maintains the City's official records, provides support for the City Council, and manages the City's historical records through the Seattle Municipal Archives. The Clerk's Office provides information services to the public and to City staff.