The city of Austin is updating the process by which the public may request public documents.

Starting Monday, March 20, residents may submit public information requests via email instead of just online.

For records from any city department except the Austin Police Department, residents may send the request to [email protected]. For APD records requests, the public may use [email protected].

Residents may still submit requests through the city’s online portal. The city reported its top 10 searches for information include permits, parking, zoning, police reports, warrants, summer camps and employment.

Copies of requested documents are subject to a fee established by the Office of the Attorney General, and residents will be notified if any requests will exceed $40 in fees.

The Texas Public Information Act gives residents the right to access government records, and government bodies must release the requested information within 10 business days.

Additionally, the city also maintains an Open Data portal containing many documents often requested by the public, including the number of permits, traffic counts, animal intake numbers, neighborhood planning areas, APD crime summaries and the city budget.

The announcement of the new public information request process also falls during Sunshine Week, a nationwide celebration of access to public information.