Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 05-14-2026

Website: WashoeCounty.gov

Washoe County is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors who use WashoeCounty.gov and related County websites, digital services, applications, forms, and online tools. This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected, how that information may be used and shared, and the choices available to users.

This policy is intended to serve as the general privacy standard for Washoe County websites and online services. Individual County departments, programs, or applications may publish additional privacy policies or notices that are more specific or more restrictive based on the services they provide. Any department-specific policy must be consistent with this policy and may be more protective of user data, but not less protective.

1. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to WashoeCounty.gov and to County-managed websites, digital services, applications, forms, and online tools operated by or on behalf of Washoe County, whether or not a particular page or service links to this policy, unless a separate privacy policy or notice is posted for that specific website, department, program, application, or service.

When a separate department-specific or application-specific privacy policy applies, that more specific policy will apply to the applicable service. If a department-specific or application-specific policy is more protective of user data, the more protective terms will control for that service.

This policy does not apply to third-party websites, platforms, applications, or services that are not controlled by Washoe County, even if they are linked from a County website or used by a County department. Users should review the privacy policies of those third parties before providing personal information or interacting with those services.

2. Information We May Collect

Washoe County may collect information through its websites and online services in the categories described below. The information collected will depend on the specific website, form, application, program, or service used.

A. Information Collected Automatically

When users visit Washoe County websites or online services, certain technical and usage information may be collected automatically. This may include:

IP address, device identifier, or network information;
Browser type and version;
Device type and operating system;
Date and time of access;
Pages viewed, links clicked, referring pages, and exit pages;
Search terms used on the website;
Cookies, log data, analytics data, and similar technical information;
General usage, performance, accessibility, and troubleshooting data.

This information is typically used to maintain site security, improve website performance, understand how services are used, support analytics and troubleshooting, and improve public access to County information and services.

B. Information Provided Voluntarily

Users may choose to provide information to Washoe County when they:

Submit an online form or service request;
Request services, records, assistance, or information;
Sign up for email updates, newsletters, alerts, or other communications;
Provide feedback, comments, or complaints;
Contact a County department or Washoe 311;
Register for programs, meetings, events, permits, licenses, or applications;
Use online applications, payment portals, or other online transactions.

Depending on the service, voluntarily submitted information may include the following categories of personal information or covered information:

Identifiers and contact information, such as first and last name, physical address, mailing address, email address, telephone number, or other information that allows a person to be contacted physically or online;
Account, registration, login, or authentication information;
Service request information, application information, comments, communications, attachments, and other information submitted to obtain County services or communicate with the County;
Payment-related information needed to process a transaction, which may be handled by a third-party payment processor;
Program, permit, license, meeting, event, or transaction information;
Any other information a user chooses to submit through a County website or online service and that is maintained with information that identifies the user;
Sensitive information, such as a Social Security number or other legally protected information, only when required for a specific County service, program, application, or legal purpose.

Users should not submit confidential, sensitive, or legally protected information through a general website form unless the specific County service requires that information and appropriate safeguards are provided.

3. How Information Is Used

Washoe County may use collected information to:

Provide requested services, information, records, or assistance;
Respond to questions, comments, feedback, complaints, or service requests;
Process applications, registrations, permits, payments, or transactions;
Send communications a user has requested or agreed to receive;
Improve website content, usability, accessibility, and performance;
Monitor, maintain, and protect the security and integrity of County systems;
Support analytics, troubleshooting, reporting, planning, and service delivery;
Maintain records and comply with applicable laws, court orders, public records obligations, and other legal requirements;
Support legitimate governmental, operational, legal, or public service purposes.

Information collected through Washoe County websites and online services will be used only for legitimate governmental, operational, legal, or public service purposes.

4. Disclosure and Sharing of Information

Washoe County may share information, including personal information or covered information, when appropriate for the service requested, for County operations, or as required or permitted by law. Categories of third parties or external entities with whom information may be shared include:

County departments, elected offices, employees, contractors, and authorized personnel who need the information to provide services or perform County functions;
Service providers and vendors that support County websites, online forms, hosting, maintenance, cybersecurity, accessibility, analytics, customer service, email or text communications, records management, payment processing, mapping, video, or other technology services;
Payment processors, financial institutions, or transaction service providers when needed to complete a payment or online transaction;
Governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, regulators, auditors, or other public entities when required or permitted by law or necessary to provide intergovernmental services;
Persons or entities with whom the user has a direct relationship, or whom the user authorizes or directs the County to contact or share information with, for the purpose of providing a requested service;
Members of the public, news media, or public records requesters when information is subject to disclosure under applicable public records laws and no legal exception applies;
Third-party websites, platforms, embedded content providers, maps, videos, social media platforms, or other external services when a user chooses to interact with those services through or from a County website.

Washoe County does not authorize third parties to use information collected through County websites for purposes unrelated to providing services to the County, providing services requested by the user, complying with law, protecting security, or other lawful governmental purposes.

5. No Sale of Personal Information

Washoe County does not sell users' personal information or covered information collected through Washoe County websites or online services.

For purposes of this policy, “sale” means the exchange of covered information for monetary consideration by an operator or data broker to another person, as that term is used in Nevada law. Sharing information with service providers, vendors, payment processors, governmental agencies, public records requesters, or other entities for County operations, services requested by the user, legal compliance, security, public records obligations, or other lawful governmental purposes is not treated by Washoe County as a sale of personal information.

Because Washoe County does not sell personal information, there is no sale for a user to opt out of. Nevada users who have questions about this statement or who wish to submit a request regarding the sale of covered information may contact Washoe County using the contact information at the end of this policy. If Washoe County changes its practice and begins selling covered information, the County will update this policy and provide instructions for submitting verified opt-out requests as required by applicable law before making any such sale.

6. Public Records and Legal Disclosure

Information submitted to Washoe County may be considered a public record and may be subject to disclosure in accordance with applicable public records laws, unless a legal exception applies. The County may also disclose information when required or permitted by law, court order, subpoena, regulation, public records request, law enforcement request, audit, or other legal process.

Users should avoid submitting confidential or sensitive personal information through general website forms unless the service specifically requires it and appropriate safeguards are provided.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Washoe County websites and online services may use cookies, pixels, scripts, log files, or similar technologies to support website functionality, remember user preferences, measure traffic, improve performance, assist with accessibility, and better understand how visitors use County websites and online services.

Cookies may be temporary or persistent. Users may be able to manage, block, or delete cookies through their browser settings. Some website features or online services may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

8. Analytics, Embedded Content, and Third-Party Online Activity Collection

Washoe County may use analytics tools, embedded content, and similar technologies to evaluate website traffic, visitor behavior, accessibility, and site performance. These tools may collect information such as pages viewed, time spent on pages, navigation paths, device type, browser data, IP address, or other technical and usage information.

Third-party services may be used to provide analytics, maps, videos, social media features, online forms, payment processing, communications, accessibility tools, or other website functions. When these third-party tools, cookies, embedded content, or external services are used, those third parties may collect covered information about a user's online activities over time and across different websites or online services when the user uses or interacts with Washoe County websites or online services.

Third-party collection and use of information may be governed by the third party's own terms, privacy policy, and technology settings. Washoe County is not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of third-party services that are not controlled by the County.

9. Third-Party Services and Links

Washoe County websites may contain links to third-party websites, applications, maps, videos, social media platforms, payment processors, or other external services. When users leave a County website or interact with a third-party service, they are subject to that third party's terms and privacy practices.

Washoe County is not responsible for the privacy, security, accessibility, availability, or content practices of third-party services not controlled by the County.

10. Review and Correction of Personal Information

A user who wants to review, correct, or update personal information submitted through a Washoe County website or online service should first use any review, correction, account-management, or contact process provided by the specific department, program, application, or online service through which the information was submitted.

If no service-specific process is available, the user may contact the applicable County department or Washoe 311 using the contact information at the end of this policy. The County may need to verify the user's identity and the authenticity of the request before providing access to, correcting, or updating information. The County may also be unable to change or delete certain information when retention requirements, public records laws, legal obligations, security requirements, or the nature of the County record prevent the change or deletion.

11. Email and Communications

If a user signs up to receive email updates or otherwise communicates with the County electronically, Washoe County may retain the communication and related contact information in order to respond, provide updates, improve services, and maintain records as required or permitted by law.

Users may opt out of non-essential email communications by using the unsubscribe method provided in the message or by contacting the applicable department, where appropriate. Certain transactional, service-related, public safety, legal, or administrative communications may not be subject to opt-out if they are necessary to provide a requested service or fulfill a legal or governmental function.

12. Protection of Information

Washoe County uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information collected through County websites and online services from unauthorized access, use, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. Users should not submit highly sensitive information through general website forms unless specifically directed to do so through a secure service.

13. Children’s Privacy

Washoe County websites are intended for general public use. Washoe County does not knowingly collect personal information from children except as necessary for specific County programs or services and as permitted by law. Where a County service is intended for minors, additional safeguards or notices may apply.

14. Data Retention

Washoe County retains information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, to provide services, to comply with legal obligations, to maintain public records, to resolve disputes, and to enforce applicable terms, policies, and security requirements.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, the County department or service involved, applicable records retention schedules, public records requirements, and legal obligations.

15. Department and Application-Specific Policies

Some County departments, programs, or applications may provide additional privacy notices or policies based on the nature of the services they offer. Those policies may include more detailed or more restrictive privacy terms.

Any department-specific or application-specific privacy policy must meet or exceed the privacy protections described in this Privacy Policy and may not provide less protection than this baseline policy.

16. Changes to This Policy

Washoe County may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in services, technology, legal requirements, or County practices. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

For material changes, Washoe County may provide notice by posting a prominent notice on WashoeCounty.gov, posting notice on the applicable service or department page, updating the effective date, sending notice to users who have signed up for relevant communications, or using another method reasonably calculated to inform affected users.

17. Contact Information

Questions about this Privacy Policy or privacy practices related to Washoe County websites and online services may be directed to:

Washoe County Manager’s Office
1001 E. 9th Street
Reno, NV 89512

Washoe 311
Phone: 3-1-1 or (775) 328-2003
Email: Washoe311@WashoeCounty.gov
Online: Submit a service request through Washoe 311

For questions about a specific department, program, application, or online service, users may also contact the department responsible for that service.