Port Orchard, WA · Member since 2017 · 44 posts · 31 votes
Hey everyone. So, I finally decided to look up a property that I walk by on my morning walks, and I see this notification. I'm curious, does anyone know much about this "commercial purposes" statement? To me, it seems like it is effectively against the law to attempt to reach out and contact the property owner/tax payer.
"I understand that Washington State law, RCW 42.56.070.(9) prohibits the use of lists of individuals for "commercial purposes". I understand that the use for "commercial purposes" of said records may also violate the rights of the individual(s) named therein and may subject me to liability for such commercial use. I understand that "commercial purposes" means that the person requesting the record intends that the list will be used for general business purposes, including but not limited to communicating with the individual(s) named in the record for the purpose of facilitating profit expecting activity."
So, it sounds like this guy was a real jerk and doing some shady things. But that doesn't really answer my question of what implications does this have if I want to look up property tax records (something I frequently hear recommended on the podcast...)