(1) There is no fee for inspecting public records.

(2) The office will charge for providing copies of public records and will maintain a fee schedule on its website. The office may waive fees when the costs of processing the payment are reasonably likely to exceed the amount of the fees that would be charged.

(3) The office is not calculating actual costs for copying its records because doing so would be unduly burdensome for the following reasons:

(a) The office does not have the resources to conduct a study to determine actual copying costs;

(b) Conducting such a study would interfere with other essential agency functions; and

(c) Through the legislative process, the public and requestors have commented on and been informed of authorized fees and costs provided in the Public Records Act and other laws.

(4) The office uses the standard fees and costs authorized in RCW 42.56.120.

(5) The public records officer may require payment of fees before providing the records.

(a) Before beginning to copy public records, a deposit of up to ten percent of the estimated costs of copying may be required.

(b) Payment of the costs of copying an installment may be required before the installment is provided.

(c) If payment of fees is required, the office will send notification to the requestor. Within thirty days after the office sends notification, the requestor must pay the fee or make other arrangements with the office.

(6) The office will not charge sales tax for copies of public records.

(7) The office will accept payment by check, money order, or cash. For cash payments, it is within the office's discretion to determine the denomination of bills and coins that will be accepted.