Promoting high ethical standards and being accountable to those we serve ensures that our community can trust us. We support an ethical culture based on values such as fairness, transparency, honesty, integrity, commitment, and stewardship. Our organizational values, developed by an employee committee and adopted by the City’s leadership in 2003, provide a solid framework for expectations.

The City Council adopted a Code of Ethics soon after incorporation in 1995 and updated it in 2000. These standards and guidelines apply to the City Council, appointed officials such as Planning Commissioners, and to all employees.

Many of our employees are also guided by ethical codes and standards unique to their professions. Listed below are professions that have specific codes of ethics. 

City Manager and City Manager Office Staff
International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

City Attorney
Washington State Court

City Clerk
International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC)

City Planners
American Planning Association (APA) 

Building Officials
International Code Council
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Code of Ethics | AIA Seattle

Economic Development Staff
International Economic Development Council

Finance and Budget Staff
Government Finance Officers Association

Human Resources Staff
Society for Human Resources

Professional Engineers
Washington State Administrative Code (Chapter 196-27A WAC)

The City takes violations of its Code of Ethics seriously. If you would like to report a violation or complaint of a City employee or official, please contact the City Manager, City Attorney or Mayor at (206) 801-2213.