HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 102291
Resolution No. 10229
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting a Citywide
Records Retention Schedule and Repealing Resolution No. 9565
R E C I T A L S
A. The destruction of certain public records is authorized by State law in
Government Code sections 34090, et seq.
B. A system for the retention and schedule for the destruction of records and
working papers that are no longer needed for administrative, legal, fiscal, historical, or research
purposes is deemed appropriate.
C. The City Clerk has developed and is responsible for the City's Records and
Information Management ("RIM") Program, including guidelines and procedures prepared
pursuant to that Program.
D. On April 22, 1996 pursuant to Resolution No. 7579, the Council adopted records
retention schedules for the Police, Planning and Community Environment, Public Works, and
Utilities Departments and amended records retention schedules for the offices of the City
Attorney, City Auditor, City Clerk and City Manager, Administrative Services, Community
Services, Fire and Human Resources Departments.
E. The Council adopted revised citywide records retention schedules on February 5,
2007 pursuant to Resolution No. 8688 and on December 7, 2015 pursuant to Resolution 9565.
F. It is now necessary and desirable to adopt revised citywide records retention
schedules.
G. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed records retention
schedules.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council hereby authorizes the head of each department to maintain and
destroy records in accordance with their respective departmental retention schedules, attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference, subject to the written approval of the City
Attorney prior to any proposed destruction, and subject further to the Records and Information
Management Program and any guidelines or procedures the City Clerk may from time to time
promulgate thereunder.
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
2
SECTION 2. Resolution No. 9565 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not constitute a
project for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, and, therefore, no
environmental assessment is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: JUNE 16, 2025
AYES: BURT, LAUING, LU, LYTHCOTT-HAIMS, RECKDAHL, VEENKER
NOES:
ABSENT: STONE
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:APPROVED:
Deputy City Attorney City Manager
City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
READING THE RETENTION SCHEDULE:
A "HOW TO" GUIDE
BACKGROUND
The Retention Schedule, as approved by the City Council through Resolution, is a legal document. It
identifies the types of records and information used and managed by a department, how long that
information must be retained at the office and/or off-site, and when it may be destroyed.
Each department is required to have a current Schedule. It is the responsibility of the department to notify
the City Clerk’s Office of any business, organizational, functional, or legal changes which would impact
their specific Schedule. The City Clerk’s Office coordinates with the departments and Office of the City
Attorney (which reviews the schedules for compliance with all government codes and regulations) prior
to approval by the City Council. The Schedules should be reviewed for accuracy every two to three years
by the City Clerk’s and City Attorney’s Offices in conjunction with each respective department.
DEFINITIONS
Description – This is the general description of a group of records with similar business functions and
retention requirements. The description must coincide with file titles maintained by the department.
Total Retention – This refers to the length of time a record must be kept before it is eligible for
destruction.
C – Current refers to the current calendar year in which a record is made. The Retention period begins the
first day of the following calendar year. (For example, C+2 means that any record created in 2025 is kept
for the two following years, 2026 and 2027. The record would be eligible for destruction after December
31, 2027).
PER – Permanent refers to records that should be kept in perpetuity and never destroyed.
S – Supersede indicates that old items are replaced by a more current version.
TER—Termination refers to the end date of a contract, agreement, term, etc.
Statutory Reference – This field includes regulations and codes that govern the retention of a specific
record type. All references are to California Code unless otherwise noted.
Remarks – This field includes general comments about the information in this row. When "Department
Opinion" is noted in this column, it means that the Department has decided to maintain the record longer
than the legal requirement. "Attorney Opinion" indicates that the retention requirement was established
pursuant to the opinion of the City Attorney based on research, past litigation history, and/or the potential
for future litigation on this topic. The 2025 revision preserves Department and Attorney Opinions from
previous versions of the schedule.
Page 1 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Administrative Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATION
Correspondence, Messages,
Timecards, Staff Meetings, Studies
C+3
Auditors Opinions
3 Gifts to the City, Cash & Tangible
Property
C+6 Scanned list on CD Rom in Admin
Svcs Dept files
TREASURY
4
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT‐
Security Purchases, Sales &
Investment Reports
C+7
Auditors Opinion
5 DEBT MANAGEMENT‐ (a) Deceased Insurance C+3 Department Opinion
(b) Final Bond TER+4 Duplicate Stored Offsite as vital
copy backup
(c) Covenant Compliance TER+7 Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
(d) Bank Records C+7 Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
REVENUE COLLECTION
6 (a) Deposit/Reconciliation
Documentation
C+2 GC 34090
(b) Parking Permit Records C+4 GC 34090
(c) Collection Records – UUT,
Parking Citations, Delinquent
Accounts, Transient Occupancy Tax
C+5
Department Opinion
BUSINESS LICENSE TER+4 GC 34090;
CCP 337
LIENS & RELEASES
(a) Recorded Liens & Releases
(b) Supporting Recorded
Documentation
PER
TER+2 GC 34090
BUDGET
7 BUDGET
(a) Final Budget, CIP Budgets, Fee
Schedule
TER+4
(b) Supporting Documents for
Change Requests, Amendments,
Worksheets, Fee Schedules & Cost
Plans
C+2
Auditors Opinion
(c) Long Range Plans Studies,
Reports, Measurements, Forecasts
& Projections
C+3
Auditors Opinion
REAL ESTATE
8 BINDING INSTRUMENTS
Page 2 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Administrative Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
(a) Land – Deeds, Easements PER Duplicate of City Clerk
(b) Easement Vacations, Leases &
Purchases
PER Duplicate of City Clerk
(c) Encroachments, Agreements &
Conveyances
PER Duplicate of City Clerk
PURCHASING
9
(a) Council Approved Contracts,
Solicitations & Documents. All Open
Council Approved Contracts,
Solicitations & Documents
TER+ 4
CCP 337.2
CCP 343
Council Approved Contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
(b) Service Contracts, Purchase
Orders, Blanket Purchase Orders &
Solicitations & Documents
i. Purchase Orders/Blanket Orders
ii. Service Order Contracts
TER+4
TER+4
CCP 337.2
CCP 343
(c) Bids Unawarded Solicitations &
Documents
C+2 GC 34090 Department Opinion vital while
orders are open
10
INTERNAL VENDORS ‐ (Stores &
Print Shop) Reports, Orders,
Returns, Disposal Forms Journal &
Requisitions
C+4
Department and Auditors Opinion
ACCOUNTING
11 YEAR‐END REPORTS
(a) Budget‐to‐Actual C+2 GC 34090
(b) Comprehensive Annual Financial
Report (ACFR)
PER
(c) General Ledger, Encumbrance
Report
C+2 GC 34090
(e) Audit Work Papers & Journal
Entries
C+2
GC 34090
Digital copies of audit work
papers: saved on S drive, Journal
Entries saved on SAP effective
March 2023
(f) ANNUAL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT
CORPORATION‐STATE
CONTROLLERS REPORT
C+7
Digital copies only
(g) PIC TAX Return C+7 Digital copies only
(g) Annual Street Report C+7 Digital copies only
(h) City Financial Transaction Report Digital copies only
Utility Receipt Stubs C+2
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
12 A/P + UTILITY CHECK
REGISTERS (WARRANTS)
C+7
C+7 Department and Auditors Opinion
(voided checks) Digital copies only
13
CANCELLED/VOIDED
WARRANTS. CHECK VOID FORMS +
BACKUP
C+4
C+7
Department and Auditors Opinion
(VOIDED CHECKS) Digital copies
only
14 VOUCHER PACKETS.
GENERAL WARRANT COPIES WITH
C+5
C+7 Department and Auditors Opinion
Digital copies only
Page 3 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Administrative Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
BACKUP FOR A/P, UTILITY REFUNDS,
3RD PARTY AND WIRE TRANSFERS
15 CAPITAL PROJECTS TER+7
Department and Auditors Opinion
Project Files, Street Reports, &
Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Billings
Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Billings / Drawdown
Digital copies only
UNIVERSITY AVENUE SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT PARKING DISTRICT
C+7 Digital copies only
ANNUAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL
EXPENDITURES REPORT
C+7 Digital copies only
ZFIR03 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
COVER SHEETS
C+7
Cover sheet for batches off
invoices from departments sent to
A/P. Has list of invoices enclosed
and department authorization to
process the invoices.
A/P JOURNAL LOG C+7 Digital copies only
AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE FORMS C+7 Digital copies only
TAX RECORDS – Sales Tax Filings,
1099 Tax Filings & Registers
C+7 Digital copies only
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE and CASH RECEIPTS
16
Backup for invoices created (such as
Airport, Avenidas, & Palo Alto
Community Childcare, Stanford, VTA
and others)
b) Facility Cash Receipts, Revenue
Collections Cash Receipts, and
Utility Cash Receipts
C+7 GC 34090,
CCP 338
Federal & State Audit
Requirements
Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
Department Opinion
Digital copies only
21 PAYROLL
C+7 29 CFR
Section
1627.3
Labor
Relations
Section
1174
California
Labor Code
Section
1174
Public Employees Retirement
System and Department Opinion ‐‐
Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
Garnishment Orders C+7 SB 807 1/2022 CA Record
Retention ‐ 4 Years
Direct Deposit/ W4 Changes C+7 IRS Requirement ‐ 4 years
Page 4 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Administrative Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Copies of PSO PAF C+7 4 Years HR owns original copy
retention
CalPers Reporting C+7 4 Years HR owns original copy
retention
Third Party Reporting C+7 4 years
Payroll Quarterly Tax Reports C+7 IRS Requirement ‐ 4 years
Payroll Masterfile C+7 4 years
Payroll Reconciliations C+7 In accordance with GL
Payroll Journals C+7 In accordance with GL
W2 Copies C+4 IRS Requirement ‐ 4 years
ENTERPRISE/ GENERAL LEDGER ACCOUNTING
23 GL Accounts Reconciliations C+7
24 Reconciliations of utility and other
clearing accounts
C+5
25 Receipts/stubs from the daily utility
payments process (batch detail)
C+2+2
months GC 34090
26 Audit Backup & Journal Entries
Backup
C+2 GC 34090
27
28
Fixed assets backup of journal
entries, capitalization, disposals &
reconciliations
TER + 3
Page 5 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Attorney’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
General Info/Subject Files C+9 GC 34090
Restricted access to any files may contain
confidential documents. Keep files until
subject matter is no longer active.
Required to keep until reasonable threat
of legal action has passed. General Correspondence C+9 GC 34090
Contracts, invoices, and purchase
orders originating in City
Attorney’s Office
TER+10 Review on a file by file basis for
destruction
SUBJECT FILES
Legal memoranda to City Council C+11 Review on file by file basis for
destruction
Settlement Agreements C+10 Settlement agreements with ongoing
relevance retained for as long as needed
Municipal prosecutions TER+10 Review on file by file basis for
destruction
Attorney-led investigations C+10 Review on file by file basis for
destruction
900 Claims TER+10
Required to keep until reasonable threat
of legal action has passed. On a file by
file basis assign archive time
Civil litigation files C+10 Required to keep until reasonable threat
of legal action has passed. On a file by
file basis assign archive time
Page 6 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Auditor
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
SUBJECT FILES
4
Publications (Audit Reports),
Status Reports, Revenue
Reports, Council Reports
PER GC 34090
Department Policy.Post-2025,
publications included City Council
/Committee agenda packets are
kept by CLK
5
Work Papers (supporting
documentation for published
reports)
C+7 GC 34090
While City Auditor is outsourced, duplicates kept by relevant department as needed.
6
Revenue Audit Work Papers
(Sales, TOT, UUT, Prop. Tax
etc.)
C+7 GC 34090
While City Auditor is outsourced,
duplicates kept by relevant
department as needed.
7 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Hotline documentation TER+5 GC 34090
While City Auditor is outsourced, duplicates may be kept by another
associated department as needed.
Page 7 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Clerk’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
100 Domestic Partnership
Affidavits & Statements PER GC 34090
101
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
a) Contracts awarded by City
Clerk Department, except
construction
b) Contracts awarded by City
Council, except construction
c) City Clerk Purchase Orders
d) Construction contracts
awarded by City Council
TER+4
TER+4
C+2
PERM
PAMC 2.08.110;
CCP 337
PAMC 2.08.110;
CCP 337
City Clerk Purchase Orders
duplicate of ASD
102 General Correspondence C+2 GC 34090
103 LEGAL ADVERTISING C+4
CCP 343, 349 et
seq.;
GC 911.2
Includes public hearing notices,
legal publications
104 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
Requests, responses, and log TER+2 GC 34090 TER = Resolution Date
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING RECORDS
106 Alarm and Parking Ticket
Appeal Hearings TER+2 GC 34090 Includes Initial Review
document
108 Other Administrative
Hearings C+5 GC 34090 Public Works and Community
Services Department hearings
109 Parking Citation Adjudications
(Request for Initial Review) TER+2 GC 34090 Department opinion
110 Utility User Tax Hearings C+10 GC 34090
ELECTIONS/POLITICAL REFORM ACT
111 AB1234 ETHICS TRAINING –
Proof of training attendance C+5 GC 53235.2b
113
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
STATEMENTS-
a) Elected Members & Log of
Filers, their Controlled
Committees, and committees
supporting such officeholders
and candidates
b) Non-elected candidates,
committee supporting non-
elected candidates
c) Others -- Committees,
Supporting/Opposing
Measures, General Purpose,
Independent expenditure,
major donor committees
d) Copies received (e.g. Form
410)(paper)
e) Electronically filed
PER
C+5
C+7
C+4
PER
GC 81009 (g)
GC 81009(b)
GC 81009(c)
GC 81009(f)
GC 84615(i)
After two years on file, an
electronic copy of the
statement may be retained and
originals discarded (GC
81009(g))
Original electronic form must
be kept for at least 10 years
Page 8 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Clerk’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
114 CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE PER PAMC 2.08.110 Code is Adopted by Resolution,
Resolution is Permanent
115
FPPC AGENCY FORMS
a) Gift to Agency Report --
Form 801
b) Behested Payment Report -
- Form 803
c) New Positions -- Form 804
d) Consultants -- Form 805
e) Public Official
Appointments -- Form 806
C+7
C+7
S+4
C+4
C+2
FPPC 18944
GC 82015
FPPC 18734
FPPC 18734
FPPC18705.5
FPPC Retention
Current on City Website
116 NOMINATION PAPERS TER+4 EC 17100
Non-elected TER = Term of
office or failure date
Unless requested per EC
17100(b)
117
PETITIONS, INITIATIVES,
REFERENDUM, RECALL &
CHARTER AMENDMENTS
Petition
TER+8
months
EC 17200
EC 17400
(Recall
petitions)
7924.100-
7924.110 (PRA
reference)
PA Charter
Articles VI and
IX
RESTRICTED ACCESS
TER = date of election result
certification
Department Opinion 8/14
Certain records may be kept for
historical/reference purposes
117b Certification of Election
Results C+10 EC 15372
118 SAMPLE BALLOT PER GC 34090
119
STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST – Form 700
(Designated Filers) & Log of
Filers
C+7 GC 81009(e)-(g)
Originals retained C+7
Copies retained C+4 "Wet"
paper filed forms can be
digitized after 2 years
120
STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC
INTEREST – Form 700 (GC
87200 Filers) & Log of Filers
C+4 GC 81009(d)-(g)
Originals forwarded to State.
Copies retained C +4
GC 87200 Filers include City
Council Members, the City
Attorney, City Manager,
Planning Commissioners, and
the Administrative Services
Director (CFO)
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
121
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
a) Applications &
Appointments
I. Appointed
II. Not Appointed
b) Letters of Appointment
TER+5
C+2
TER+2
GC 34090;
GC 40801
TER = Leaving Office date
CL = Close of recruitment
TER = Leaving Office date
TER = Leaving Office date
Page 9 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Clerk’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
c) Notices of Termination
d) Oaths of Office
e) Recruitment Outreach
f) General Correspondence
g) BCC Handbook
TER+2
TER+6
TER+2
C+2
S
122 CITY COUNCIL ROSTER PER Department Opinion
Paper C+2
123
COUNCIL & STANDING
COMMITTEES MEETINGS
a) Agenda Packets -- Docs.
and information submitted to
Council including questions
and answers to Council
agenda items
b) Agendas
c) Minutes
d) DVDs/Recordings
e) Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
PER
PER
PER
C+2
GC 34090;
GC 40801
54960.1(c)(1)
GC 34090
Department Opinion
Department Opinion 2025
Agenda Packets not PER before
2024
Department Opinion 10/14
124
COUNCIL MEMBER –
b) Biographies
c) Photos
d) Emergency Standby Council
Oaths of Office and Report
PER
PER
PER
Department Opinion 10/14
125 OATHS OF OFFICE
a) Elected Council Member
TER+2 6
PER
GC 34090;
29 USC 1113
TER = Leaving Office date
Department Opinion 8/14
126 ORDINANCES PER GC 34090;
PAMC 2.08.110
127 PROCLAMATIONS C+2 GC 34090
128 RESOLUTIONS PER GC 34090;
PAMC 2.08.110
128a MUNICIPAL CODE PER GC 34090 Added in 2025
129
RECORDS & INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT-
a) Retention Schedules &
Manuals
b) Destruction Certificates
c) Transfer Lists
d) Inventory Database
S+4
PER
PER
S
GC 34090
GC 34090
Department Opinion 8/14
Department Opinion
130 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
- DVD/recording and Speech PER GC 34090 Department Opinion 8/14
REAL PROPERTY
131 ANNEXATIONS/ACQUISITION PER GC 34090a
132 ASSESSMENTS PER Department Opinion
133
BINDING INSTRUMENTS
a) Land -- Deeds, Easements,
Record of Land Use Action
b) Easements, Vacations,
Leases & Purchases
a) PER
b) PER
c) PER
GC 340 90a
Department Opinion
Duplicate of County Recorder
TER = paid in full
TER = paid in full
Page 10 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Clerk’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
c) Encroachments,
Conveyances
d) Community Development
Block Grants (CDBG)
i. Deeds of Trust
ii. Promissory Notes
iii. Agreements
e) Certificates of Compliance.
f) Real Property Agreements,
i.e. Regulatory Agreements,
Declaration of Restrictive
Covenants, Occupancy, Land
Use, and Development
Restriction Agreements
d) TER+6
e) PER
f) PER
134 BONDS TER+10 GC 34090
CCP 337.5 Duplicate of County Recorder
135 DEEDS OF TRUST TER+6 CCP 336a
136 LIENS, CONDEMNATION PER GC 34090a
137 SUBDIVIDER AGREEMENTS PER GC 65864 &
65869.5
SUBJECT FILES
138 CABLE TELEVISION –
Franchise & Licenses PER GC 34090 City Attorney Opinion 9/87
139 CEQA POSTINGS C+2 PRC 21152 (c)
GC 34090
140 CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORTS PER CPC 933
141 CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY C+5 PAMC 2.28.230
& 2.28.240 Duplicate of City Attorney
142 FLOOD BASIN PER GC 34090 City Attorney Opinion 9/87
143
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
POWER AGENCY –
Agreements including
Transmission Agency of
Northern California
PER PAMC 2.08.110 City Attorney Opinion 9/87
144 PAC BELL/PG&E PER GC 34090 Department Opinion 1992
145 POLICE AUDITOR REPORTS PER GC 34090 Department Opinion 4/2015
146 POLICIES
(a) Council Policies S+2 GC 34090
147
STANFORD (Including Sand
Hill Road, Willow Rd.
Extension)
PER PAMC 2.08.110 City Attorney Opinion 9/87
148
SUBJECT FILES – All subject
files included, unless
specifically set forth
elsewhere.
C+2 GC 34090
Confidential Legal Opinions are
not public information and are
restricted from public access.
149 WATER RIGHTS – Agreements
and Clean Up PER GC 34090 City Attorney Opinion 1995
150 YACHT HARBOR PER PAMC 2.08.110 City Attorney Opinion 9/87
Page 11 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
City Manager’s Office
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
001 Personnel Information,
Budget Information
While
useful Duplicate records of other
departments
003
Economic Development Files
for Projects throughout City
of PA
PER May be stored off-site
Sister Cities C+2 GC 34090
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
004 Legislative Letters C+5
SUBJECT FILES
005
Files established pertaining to
various subjects, Project files,
Chronological Files
C+2 GC 34090
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
006 Official copies of all City
Policies and procedures S
Each department should have a
current copy of the Policies &
Procedures
TRANSPORTATION
BICYCLES
016 a) Bike Boulevard PER GC 34090
Unique project, historical
significance, model for other
jurisdictions in and out of U.S.
Department Opinion
b) Bike Counts C+5 GC 34090
c) Bike Facilities,
Lockers/Racks
C+2 GC 34090
d) Bike Locker Rental Program C+2 GC 34090
e) Bike Operations
(signing/striping, signal
detection), paths, Routes and
Trails
C+2 GC 34090
f) Pedestrian and Bicycle
Advisory Committee
C+5 GC 34090
017
FUNDING-Fuel Efficient Traffic
Signal Management Program
(FETSIM) Applications, Prop
116 Applications, Surface
Transportation Program
(STDP)/Congestion Mitigation
and Air Quality
(CMAQ)Applications and
Transportation Development
Act (TDA) Article 3
Applications
PER
GC 34090
24 CFR
200.334
24 CFR
570.502
29 CFR
97.42
018 NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIES C+2 Department Opinion
Page 12 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
PARKING
019 a) Assessment Districts PER Multiple Depts Opinion
b) Carpool/Vanpool Program C+2 GC 34090
c) Facilities(garages/lots) PER GC 34090 Department Opinion
d) Permit Policy/Management S+2 Department Opinion
e) Residential Permit Parking C+2
f) Structures PER Department Opinion
g) Surveys C+2
h) Zones C+2 Department Opinion
i) Congestion Pricing C+5 Department Opinion
020
PERMITS/TRAFFIC CONTROL-
Certificates of Insurance and
Traffic Control Plans
C+2 GC 34090
TRAFFIC REFERENCE
021
a) Bike-correspondence, other
jurisdiction bike plans,
safety/education
C+2 GC 34090
Department Opinion/Online
Reference
b) Demographic Data PER Department Opinion
c) Traffic Flow Maps C+5 GC 34090
022 REGIONAL AGENCIES C+2 GC 34090
023 SCHOOL SAFETY C+2 GC 34090
024 TRAFFIC STUDIES
C+5 GC 34090 Department Opinion a) Traffic Calming
b) Traffic Signals
c) Other Traffic Studies
025
Traffic Operations Accidents
(high accident
location/accident data and
reports)
C+2 GC 34090
026 Plans PER H&S 19850
Page 13 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Community Services Department
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
1 Personnel – Current Employees Performance
Reviews & Work Schedules C+2
2 Security Documents, Work Orders,
Correspondence Inventories, Logs & Reports C+2 GC 34090
3 Policy – Policies, Procedures & Forms S CA Opinion
4
a) Stores Req
b)Purchase Orders
c)Contracts
TER+3
TER+3
TER+4
5 Volunteer Records C+2 GC 34090
6 Accounting – Sales Receipts, Deposits, Sales
Logs, Ledgers, Fees/Fines, Bills & Transit Books C+2 Community
Services Opinion
ARTS & SCIENCES DIVISION
7 Art Loan Program C+2 GC 34090
8 Theatre Records – Costume & Prop Loans and
Booth Level Settings C+2 GC 34090
9 Art Collection C +2 Community
Services Opinion
10
Public Art Commission –
a) Action Agenda
a) Proof of Posting
b) Minutes of all meetings
c) General Correspondence
d) Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
C+2
PER
C+2
C+2
Community
Services Opinion
Agendas
Duplicates of
City Clerk
11 Exhibits – Junior Museum & Baylands
Interpretive Center PER Community
Services Opinion
12 Animal Permits – Junior Museum & Zoo TER+2
Fish & Game
Sections 3200,
3204
HUMAN SERVICES & CUBBERLEY DIVISION
Human Relations Commission –
a) Agendas and Packets
b) Proof of Publication
c) Minutes of all meetings
d) General Correspondence
e) Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
C+2
PER
C+2
C+2
GC 34090
Agendas
Duplicates of
City Clerk
RECREATION AND GOLF DIVISION
20
Use Permits – Fields, Parks, Courts, Certificates
of Insurance, Facilities Applications & Logs and
Group Agreements
C+2 GC 34090
21 Waivers, Cancellation/Transfer Forms C+2 GC 34090
22 Recreation Foundation – Minutes,
Correspondence & Financial Information C+2
Page 14 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Community Services Department
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Parks & Recreation Commission -
a) Action Agenda
a) Proof of Posting
b) Minutes of all meetings
c) General Correspondence
d) Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
C+2
PER
C+2
C+2
GC 34090
Agendas
Duplicate of
City Clerk
Fee Reduction Program C+2 Department
Opinion 2024
ANIMAL SERVICES
23 Veterinary Medical Records – all records
relating to animal inventory and care TER+3
BP 4081
FAC 32003€
PC 597.1(d)
Previously in
Police Dept.
retention
schedule.
Retained by
contractor
Pets in Need
Page 15 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Fire Department
Series Description
Total Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
1 DEPARTMENT
MANAGEMENT C+2 GC 34090
General Order, Special
Orders, Bulletins While Useful Department Opinion
Policies and
Procedures S+6 GC 34090
45 CFR Part 164.530
Memorandum of
Agreements TER+4 Duplicate of Human Resources
(HR)
General
Correspondence C+2 GC 34090
001(a) Code Books,
Ordinances PER GC 34090(e) California Fire Code, Ordinances
duplicate of City Clerk
2 DEPARTMENT PLANS PER
Strategic Plans/Master
Planning Documents S+2
3
GENERAL
CORRESPONDENCE &
REPORTS
C+2 GC 34090
Correspondence,
memos, emails, press
releases
C+2 GC 34090
Committee reports,
minutes, public file
review requests
While Useful Duplicate of City Clerk
Special studies,
community relations While Useful
4 BIDS-UNACCEPTED While Useful Duplicate of Purchasing
5 OTHER DEPARTMENTS While Useful Duplicate of Other
Departments
Staffing roster,
timecards, leave
reports
While Useful Duplicate of Administrative
Services (ASD)
Contracts and
accounting reports,
purchase orders,
deposits, receipts
TER+4 CCP 337
CCP 337.15
Duplicate of ASD; Council
approved contracts duplicate of
City Clerk
Records retention
schedule S Duplicate of City Clerk
6 EMPLOYEE FILES
006(a) Training records,
certificates C+2 GC 34090 Duplicate of HR
006(b) Employee records While Useful Duplicate of HR
006(c) DMV Driver Tests and
records C+2 GC 34090 Duplicate of HR
7 EMPLOYEE
INJURY/EXPOSURE While Useful Duplicate of HR
Page 16 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Fire Department
Series Description
Total Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Employee accident and
exposure reports PER 29CFR1910.1020 Department Opinion
Individual and
summary statistics PER
SUBJECT FILES
FIRE PREVENTION
8
FIRE PREVENTION:
Code Enforcement
actions
TERCL+5 CFC 104.6
Site Plans While Useful
Requests for service,
complaints. C+2
Sprinkler system & Fire
Alarm periodic testing
reports & inspections
C+6
Electronic 5 Year tests: Keep C+6
Stored by 3rd Party Vendor
008(a) FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORTS & PHOTOS TER+6 CFC 104.6.2
PC 801
TER= for as long as the
structure or activity to which
such records relate remains in
existence
008(b)
FIRE/HOMICIDE
INVESTIGATION
REPORTS & PHOTOS
PER PC 799 C+6 onsite; PER offsite
008(c) ARSON /JUVENILE
FIRESETTER SUSPECTS C+6 CFC 104.6;
PC 801
Include interviews,
documentation and classroom
materials for junior firesetters
9 ANNUAL FIRE (CFC)
PERMITS C+2 GC 34090
10 STREET & NUMBER
ASSIGNMENT While Useful CFC 103.3.4
PAMC 16.36.030
Duplicate of Planning and
Development Services
11
FIRE INSPECTIONS
(Bureau and Engine
Company inspections)
TER+6 CFC 104.6.2 Department Opinion
Records of Inspection;
routine, special, new
construction & tenant
improvement-related.
PER CFC 104.6.2 Electronically stored in Accela
Pre-Citation Letters,
Notice of Violation
letters.
C+2
GC 34090 12 CERTIFICATIONS GC 34090
Flame Resistance PER Electronically stored in Accela
Use and Occupancy
Certificate PER Electronically stored in Accela
13
SPRINKLERS & FIRE
SUPPRESSION
SYSTEMS
Life of Building
(LoB) CFC 104.6
Pertains to real property. May
include blueprints, reports,
inspection results, permits.
Keep 2 years onsite, permanent
offsite
Page 17 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Fire Department
Series Description
Total Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Design, Flow,
Installation documents LoB
Plan review comments LoB
14 BUILDING PROJECTS LoB GC 34090(a)
Pertains to real property. May
include blueprints, reports,
inspection results, permits.
Keep 2 years onsite, permanent
offsite
New Construction &
Tenant Improvement
Projects, including
underground tank
installations and
repairs
PER
Electronic Electronically stored in Accela
Alternate means and
methods applications PER CFC 104.6.4 Electronically stored in Accela
Plan review comments PER Electronically stored in Accela
SUPPRESSION
15 INCIDENTS (fire,
medical, hazmat, etc.) PER Electronically stored in RMS
015(a) Dispatch and daily logs C+2 GC 34090 Release to Union; do not
destroy
015(b) Fire Incident Reports;
all except arson related PER CFC 104.6
PC 801 Electronically stored in RMS
015(c)
Fire Incident and other
Field Reports; arson
related
PER CFC 104.6
PC 801 Electronically stored in RMS
015(d)
Fire Incident and other
Field Reports; arson
with death involved
PER PC 799 Electronically stored in RMS
015(e) Pre-Hospital Care
Report (PCR) PER 45 CFR Part 164.530 Electronically stored in RMS
16 ENGINE/TRUCK
EQUIPMENT
016(a) Daily & Monthly logs C+2 GC 34090
016(c) Maintenance Program. C+2 GC 34090
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
17
ANNUAL HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS STORAGE
PERMIT
TER+ 2 GC 34090
18
CALCULATIONS-
Seismic and secondary
containment
C+ 2 GC 34090
19
SITE CLEANUP Spill
Reports & facility
closure related
information; related
inspections. Does not
PER GC 34090(a)
Pertains to real property.
Electronically stored in
California Environmental
Reporting Service (CERS)
Page 18 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Fire Department
Series Description
Total Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
include reports for
activities regulated by
Calif. Regional Water
Resources Control
Board or Calif Dept of
Toxic Substances.
20
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS &
UNDERGROUND TANK
INSPECTIONS, routine,
special, and
enforcement related
C+6 CCR 27, 15188
Department Opinion
C+5 Required. Keep additional
time for consistency with other
inspection records.
Electronically stored in CERS
21
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS BUSINESS
PLANS
C+2 GC 34090 Electronically stored in CERS
UNDERGROUND TANKS
22(a)
UST closures and/or
removals and related
documentation. Does
not include reports for
activities regulated by
Calif. Regional Water
Resources Control
Board or Calif. Dept of
Toxic Substances.
PER GC 34090(a)
Pertains to real property. May
include blueprints, reports,
inspection results, permits
Electronically stored in CERS
022(b)
Periodic testing,
monitoring and special
reports
C+2 GC 34090 Electronically stored in CERS
PROGRAMS
23
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
Strike teams and
mutual aid response
C+12 GC 34090
Existing Department Opinion is
C+12. Note that GC 34090
requires only C+2
23 (a)
Disaster Service
Worker:
All associated
documents
TER + 30 CCR 19, 2573.2
GC 3105, 6250 Required for injury Claims
24 PARAMEDICS: Training
and testing C+4 CCR 22, Div 9, sec
100101
Page 19 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Human Resources
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
1
GENERAL – Correspondence,
Timecards, Contracts, Subject
Files, Budgets, Projects
C+2 GC 34090
2 STANDARDS – Policies, Rules,
Bills, & Regulations C+2 GC 34090
EMPLOYMENT
4
RECRUITMENT – Applications,
Resumes, Alternate Lists,
Testing
C+3
42 USC Sections
2000e-8; 29 CFR
Section 1602.12 and
1602.14
Restricted Access
5 PERSONNEL FILES (a) Regular
Employees TER+15
29 CFR Section
1627.3
Labor Code Section
1174
Access may digitally store after
2 years and shred
Restricted Access
PERSONNEL FILES (b) Water
Quality Control Plant -- Senior
Chemist, Chemist, Laboratory
Tech, Senior Industrial Waste
Investigator, Industrial Waste
Investigator, Senior Mechanic,
Mechanic, Senior Operator,
WQC Plant Operators I/II,
Industrial Waste Inspectors,
Electricians, Supervisor, WQCP
Operations, Manager/Assistant
Manager, WQCP, and Manager,
TER+30
29 CFR
1910.1020;
Cal OSHA 8 Cal
Code Regs 3204
Access may digitally store after
2 years and shred
Restricted Access
*There may be other
employees in safety-sensitive
position in other locations with
same extended retention
schedule
5 PERSONNEL FILES (c) Hourly
Employees TER+5
29 CFR Section
1627.3
Labor Code Section
1174
Access may digitally store after
2 years and shred
Restricted access
6 RETIREMENT – Public Employee
Retirement System TER+4
29 USC Sections
1001 – 1381
29 CFR Section
1627.3
Restricted Access
7
CLASSIFICATION: Requests for
reclassification, PDQs, Job
Descriptions, Desk Audits
C+3 Labor Code Section
1197.5(e)
PDQ = Position Description
Questionnaire
BENEFITS
8
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FILES -
DCAP), Deferred Comp, Dental,
EAP, Life, Medical, Vision/LTD
Claim Applications, Leave,
Domestic Partner
Reimbursement
C+4 29 CFR Section
1627.3
Restricted Access
DCAP = Dependent Care
Assistance Program
EAP = Employee Assistance
Program
LTD = Long Term Disability
Page 20 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Human Resources
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
9
FPPC AGENCY FORMS
a) 804 New Positions -- Form
804
b) Consultants -- Form 805
C+4
C+4
FPPC 18734
FPPC 18734 Duplicate of City Clerk
RISK MANAGEMENT/WORKERS' COMP
10 WORKERS COMPENSATION
Claim Files PER
Labor Code Section
5410
8 CCR 3204(d)(1)
8 CCR 10102
GC 12946
Files are held at Administrator’s
Office, City only keeps working
file
Restricted Access
11
Authority for California Cities
Excess Liability (ACCEL) JPA
Agenda Files
C+3 Department Opinion
12 DMV Employer Pull Notice
Program Reports
C+4 (only
if
employee
has
violation
on record)
Department Opinion
Restricted Access
13 DRUG TESTING C+5
49 CFR Section 199
DOT 49 CFR Part 40
Subpart P Sect
40.333; 49 CFR
40.333 and Sect
40.25
Restricted Access
14
SAFETY REPORTS
a) Investigation Reports
b) Hearing Tests
PER
TER+5
C+4
8 CCR 3203(b)(1)-(2),
8 CCR 3203(c)(2), Department Opinion
INSURANCE
(a) Insurance bond policies
(b) Insurance certificates
TER+10
PER
CCP 337.2; 343
GC 34090
INFECTIOUS DISEASE &
OCCUPATION EXPOSURE FILES PER
29CFR 1910.1030(h);
29 CFR 1910.1020;
8CCR3204(d)(1)(B)
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL TEST TER+5
FMLA 1993 US OSHA;
29 CFR
1910.1020; 29 CFR
1602.30-
1602.32; OSHA;
8CCR5100(d)(2)OSHA
Page 21 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Human Resources
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
LEAVE - DISABILITY TER+5
FMLA 1993 US OSHA;
29 CFR
1910.1020; 29 CFR
1602.30-
1602.32; OSHA
8CCR5100(d)(2)OSHA
Accident, Incident, and Injury
Reports PER 8 CCR 10102
GC 12946
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
16
TRAINING – Program Lists,
Instructor Lists, Class Rosters, &
Evaluations
C+2 49 CFR 199.17
49 CFR 199.227 Department Opinion
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
17
NEGOTIATIONS – Notes,
Notebooks, Correspondence,
Contracts, & MOA
C+10 29 USC Sections 211
(c), 203 (m), 207 (g) Restricted Access
18
COMPENSATION – Mgmt.
Salary History Sheets, Job
Descriptions, Salary Surveys,
Compensation Plans
C+7 Department Opinion
19
GRIEVANCES – Arbitration,
Grievances Reports, SEIU
Window Period Requests,
Sexual Harassment &
Discrimination
C+7 29 CFR Section
1602.21 (h) Restricted Access
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
21 EMPLOYEE RIGHTS: Safety and
General Employees TER+5 GC 12946, 29 CFR
1602.12
23 CLASSIFICATION AND
COMPENSATION SURVEYS C+2
GC 12946, 34090; 29
CFR 516.6(2); 29 CFR
1602.14
25 LEAVE - MEDICAL TER+5
FMLA 1993 US OSHA;
29 CFR 1910.1020;
29 CFR 1602.30
27 SALARY INFORMATION - Salary
schedule, Salary resolutions PER GC 34090; GC 12946;
29 CFR 516.6(2)
Page 22 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Information Technology
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
001 Subject files, general
correspondence, C+2 GC 34090
SUBJECT FILES
002 Phone Log Files C+2 GC 34090 Call records
003 Service Desk Tickets C+2 GC 34090 IT Service Desk Tickets
004 Financial System Data
Backup C+7 GC
34090 SAP Database Backups
005
Contracts
a) Under $5000
b) $5000 and over
c) $85000 and over
TER+4
TER+4
TER+4
CCP 37.2
CCP 343
GC 34090
Duplicate of ASD
City Council approved contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
006 Hardware and software
inventories S+2 GC 34090
Running inventories of hardware
and software used to track
locations, to whom assigned,
and licensing information, as
needed
Page 23 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Library
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
Department Administration
Work Schedules, Volunteer
Records, Budget Preparation,
Surveys, Statistics, Projects, Staff
Reports, Org Chart,
Memberships, Legal Opinion,
Staff Development and Training,
Community Relations, Benchmark
Data
C+2 GC 34090
Standards
Department Policies and
Procedures, Strategic Plan,
Safety/Security Manual, Disaster
Plan
S GC 34090
General Correspondence &
Reports
Correspondence, Memos, Emails,
Press Releases, Committee
Reports, Meeting Notes, Working
Files
C+2 GC 34090
Email messages related to
a current project or a
policy-making decision
should be retained along
with related records
Employee Files (Regular & Hourly)
PAFs, Appraisals, Work Injury, Job
Descriptions, Requests for
Reclassification, Recruitment --
applications, resumes
While useful Duplicate of HR
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Library Advisory Commission
a) Agenda
c) Minutes of Meetings
PER
PER
GC 34090
Library Advisory
Commission dissolved in
2020.
SUBJECT FILES
Library Databases
Customers, Circulation and
Inventory
Subscriptions and Licenses
S+2
GC 34090
Patron use and circulation
records are exempt from
Public Records Act under
certain conditions; GC
7927.105, GC7927.100
Grants & Donations
Applications
Awards
Non-monetary Donations
Reimbursements
C+5
GC 34090
24 CFR 200.334
24 CFR 570.502
29 CFR 97.42
Department Opinion
Capital Improvements
Project Files, Specifications,
Contracts, Agreements,
Equipment, Maintenance,
Licenses, Inventory
Life of
building
Duplicate of Public Works
City Council approved
contracts duplicate of City
Clerk
Page 24 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Library
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Publicity/Publications
Promotional Materials C+2 GC 34090
State Library
Public Library Survey
Reimbursements
C+2 GC 34090
Operational Reports
Daily Log, Cash Handling, Bank
Deposits, Debt Collection
Management
Incident Reports
C+2
C+5
GC 34090
Public Programming
Development and Administration
of Programs for the Public
(children, students, adults)
C+2 GC 34090
Collection Records
Records documenting the
selection and acquisition of new
materials for the Library's
collections and the physical
movement of materials between
the facilities and storage areas
C+2 GC 34090
Historical Reference
History of Palo Alto City Library PER GC 34090 Department Opinion
Page 25 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Office of Emergency Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
1 DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT
General Order, Special Orders,
Bulletins, Policies and Procedures S GC 34090
Employment Memorandum of
Agreements
While
Useful GC 34090 Duplicate of Human Resources
2 DEPARTMENT PLANS PER Department Opinion
Strategic Plans/ Master Planning
Documents C+2 GC 34090
3 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE &
REPORTS C+2 GC 34090
003c
Budgets, Purchase Orders Time
Keeping, Correspondence,
Surveys, Statistical Reports
C+5 GC 34090
004h Equipment Records TER+2 GC 34090
Retained until termination of
equipment's use; Manuals,
instructions, procedures, assignments,
maintenance
EMPLOYEE FILES
006(a) Training records, certificates C+2 GC 34090 Duplicate of HR (TER+3, 29
CFR 1627.3)
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
023(a)
Disaster Service Worker:
Emergency Services Volunteers
All associated documents
TER+30
CCR 19,
2573.2,
GC 3105,
6250
Required for injury claims
Page 26 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Planning and Development Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATION
001
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Personnel Records, Purchase
Orders, Payment Claim
Vouchers, Legislation, Final
Budget, Correspondence with
Other Departments and
Records Requests
While
Useful GC 34090
Duplicate of Other Departments
002
DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION
Department Procedures,
Equipment, Inventories,
Budget Preparation, and Final
Budget Correspondence,
General Correspondence
C+2 GC 34090
003
CONTRACTS
a) Contracts under 85,000 plus
all records associated
b) Full Cost Recovery Contracts
TER+4
TER+4
CCP 337
CCP 343
GC 34090
Department Opinion
004
ADMINISTRATIVE REFERENCE
Fee Schedules, Orgs, List,
Ordinance Binder, Planning
Ethics, Data Collection
S GC 34090 Department Opinion
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
5
PLANNING COMMISSION,
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
BOARD, HISTORIC RESOURCES
BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S
HEARINGS
a) Minutes
b) Agendas and Packets
c) Correspondence with
Staff/Public - project based
d) Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
PER
C+2
C+2
GC 34090
Hardcopy format, Boards - Summary.
PTC – Verbatim
Agendas duplicates of City Clerk
SUBJECT FILES
6 COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA While
Useful GC 34090 Duplicate of Santa Clara County
7 BUILDING PLANS
a)Approved PER H&S 19850 Digital Format
b)Superseded C+2 H&S 19850 Hardcopies
Page 27 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Planning and Development Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
8
DISCRETIONARY PLANNING
ENTITLEMENTS
a) Applications
b) Maps - Zoning, Tentative
Subdivision, Preliminary Parcel,
Comp Plan Land Use, et al
c) Permit Extensions
(currently a 2-yr window with a
1-yr extension)
d) Record of Land Use Actions
e) CEQA determinations, EIR,
Negative Declarations
PER
PER
C+2
PER
PER
GC 34090
Department Opinion
Digital Format (stored offsite)
Digital Format
Saved Within Application files that
are scanned into GIS/DOXview
10 HISTORIC INVENTORY PER GC 34090 Digital Format--Currently updated
via GIST
11 ZONING ORDINANCES PER GC 34090 Duplicate of City Clerk
12 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND
AMENDMENTS PER GC 34090
Duplicate stored offsite as vital copy
backup w/ Amendments
Resolutions Duplicate of City Clerk
13 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANTS (CDBG)
a) Project Files TER+5
24 CFR Part
570
2 CFR
200.334
HCD CDBG Grants Management
Manual, Chapter 10
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-and-
funding/programs-
active/community-development-
block-grant
b) Program Reference Forms,
Procedures and Brochures C+3
15 HOUSING
a) General Information and
References - Outside Materials
While
Useful Department Opinion
b) Housing Studies and
Programs C+3 GC 34090
c) HOME Funding-General (If
individual home loans keep
permanently)
TER+5
24 CFR Part
570
Federal regulation federally funded
programs and labor standard
compliance files
d) Below Market Rate (BMR)
Units, In Lieu Hosing Mitigation PER GC 34090 Department Opinion
e) Below Market Rate
Administration C+2 GC 34090
DEVELOPMENT CENTER ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
1
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Personnel Records, Safety
Files, Purchase Orders,
Payment Claim Vouchers, City
Manager’s Reports,
While Useful GC 34090 Duplicate of other Departments
Page 28 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Planning and Development Services
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Legislation, Litigation, Final
Budget, Equipment and
Facility Maintenance, Time
Sheets, Correspondence with
Other Departments and
Retention Schedules
2 DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATION C+2 GC 34090
Daily Deposit Copies,
Department Procedures,
Equipment, Inventories,
Budget Preparation, and Final
Budget Correspondence
3
CONTRACTS
a) Contracts under $85,000
plus all records associated
b) Full Cost Recover Contracts
c) Contracts over $85,000 plus
all records associated
TER + 4
TER +4
TER +4
CCP 337
CCP 343
GC 34090
Duplicate of Administrative
Services
City Council approved contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
DEVELOPMENT CENTER SUBJECT FILES
4 PERMIT RECORDS
Address changes, Permit
applications, Building Use &
Occupancy applications and
certificates, Department
correspondence.
PER Electronically Stored in Geographic
Information System (GIS) or Accela
5 INSPECTION RECORDS
Survey letters, Special
inspection
–final inspection reports,
SB407 certificate of
compliance forms, Stop work
correspondence.
PER
6 Plans PER H&S 19850
7 CODE ENFORCEMENT
Complaints, inspections,
photographs, violations,
reports, notices, citations
TER+2
NOTE: Development Center Retention Schedule merged into Planning & Development Center Retention
Schedule and transportation records merged into City Manager’s Office.
Page 29 of 48
GC 34090
GC 34090
GC 34090
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Police Department
Series Description Total Retention Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
3 (a) Personnel Training S GC 34090 Bulletins, training class
certificates
3 (a)(1) Lesson Plans C+15 GC 34090 Scope, content, time period
of courses
3 (b) Personnel TER+7 GC 34090
3 (b)(1) Applicant Fingerprint
Files TER+3 GC 34090
Includes paperwork
authorizing fingerprinting
and background checks for
City employment
applicants, all license and
permit applicants and
volunteer applicants.
3 (c) Volunteer Files TER+2 GC 34090 Volunteers’ identification,
contact information
003b Policy, Forms, Brochures C+2 GC 34090
003c
Budgets, POs Time Keeping,
Correspondence, Surveys,
Statistical Reports, Contracts
TER+5 GC 34090
CCP 337
003e Alarm Records C+2 GC 34090
Alarm documents &
correspondence, alarm
permit
applications/permits, false
alarm notifications, false
alarm records
001q
Administrative/Internal Affairs
Investigations – Documents
relating to complaints or
investigations in response to
citizens’ complaints regarding
members of the Department.
a) Not sustained
b) Sustained
TER + 5
TER+15
PC 832.5(b),
EVC 1045,
PC 801.5,
PC 803(c),
VC 2547
GC 12946
Provided documents are
not evidence in any claim
filed or criminal
investigation, or part of any
pending records request or
litigation .
TER = conclusion of
investigation
001k News Release C+2 GC 34090
Website 2 years; moved to
the Investigatory file if
applicable
001k Social Media Content C+2 GC 34090
001t Administrative Citations TER+2 GC 34090
Noise, Animal,
Parking/Traffic
TER = conclusion of
administrative review
hearing, if held.
001r PAPD Policy Manual S GC 34090 Living Document
ANIMAL SERVICES RECORDS
001p Nuisance Complaints, Animal
Bite Reports and Hearings, C+10 GC 34090 PAMC = Palo Alto Municipal
Code
Page 30 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Police Department
Series Description Total Retention Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
PAMC Violations and warnings
issued.
PAMC
6.28.030
FAC 32003(e),
31621 - 31626
10 Animal Licenses C+2 GC 34090 Dog – 3 years from
expiration
001n Animal Control Officer –
Activity records and logs C+2 GC 34090
COMMUNICATION RECORDS
1
(a) 911 Recordings
(b) Other Phone
Recordings, not on
911 lines
C+2 years and 1 day GC 34090.6
Exception: Recordings
flagged as evidence in a
criminal prosecution or
litigation hold request
received shall be preserved
for 100 days after
conclusion of the court
action, or as needed.
System programed to re-
write unless flagged
003f Mobile Audio Video Records
(MAV) C+2 GC 34090.6
PC 1054
Exception: Recordings
flagged as evidence in a
criminal prosecution or
litigation hold request
received shall be
preserved for 100 days
after conclusion of the
court action or as needed.
System programmed to re-
write unless flagged
DAR - Digital Audio Recordings
003g Interior Video Recordings
AIB or ISD when initiated C2 GC 34090.6
PC 1054
Exception: Recordings
flagged as evidence in a
criminal prosecution or
litigation hold received
shall be preserved for 100
days after conclusion of the
court action, or as needed
003h Routine Perimeter Security
Video 100 Days GC 34090.6
INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS
001e Police Reports – ODI (Optical
Document Imaging) System
and supporting hard copy
Reports C+100
GC 34090 Reports scanned into the
ODI system from 6-15-92 to
12-31-06. Unless report is a
Permanent Record or
ordered Sealed by Court
Order
PC 800
PC 801
PC 799
Page 31 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Police Department
Series Description Total Retention Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
001e Traffic Collision Fatality Reports C +20 GC 34090 Regardless of the medium
001e
(1)Police Reports/PDF Scanned
– All Felonies, high
Misdemeanor cases.
C +100
PC 800
PC 801
PC 799
(Felony
Capital Crimes
punishable by
Death, Life
Imprisonment
)
PC 1054
Starting 2007 Hard Copies
will be kept in conjunction
with PDF
Prosecution for an offense
punishable by
imprisonment in state
prison for 8 years or more
must commence within 6
years after offense
commission.
Commencement of
prosecution defined in PC
804. *Exception: PC 803 –
Tolling/Extension of time
periods; Appeals process - -
.
001f
(1)Non Criminal Police
Reports/PDF Scanned –
Lost/Found Property, Injured
or sick persons; missing
persons where person has
returned; traffic collision
reports not used as the basis
for criminal charges etc.
C+10 GC 34090
Starting 2007 Reports will
be scanned to PDF.
Any CLETS entry must be
canceled prior to purge if
applicable.
12-1-2021 – all reports
scanned as PDF
001v
Arrest/Conviction HS Section
11357 (b), (c), (d), (e) or H&S
Section 11360 (b) violations –
Occurring after January 1, 1996
Mandatory
destruction from
date of conviction or
date of arrest with
no conviction
HS 11361.5
Applicable to convictions
occurring after 1-1-1996 or
arrests not followed by a
conviction occurring after
1-1-1996; Exception: H&S
11357(e), the record shall
be retained until a juvenile
offender attains 18 years of
age – then destroyed
pursuant to 11361.5
001l FI Cards – Field interview Cards C+2 GC 34090 Includes photo if taken
001k (1) Daily Bulletins C+2 GC 34090
001e (2) Registrants – Sex, Arson,
Narcotics
TER or until S
DOJ
Guidelines
Fingerprint Card, Photo and
info forwarded to DOJ
001e
(3) Criminal Reports
(Misdemeanor low Felony) and
Domestic Violence Reports
C+15 FC 6228(d)
GC 34090
Remove property from
CLETS, no suspect or open
investigations pending.
MISC REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS
004a Court Board C+2 GC 34090 Court Notices
Page 32 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Police Department
Series Description Total Retention Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
004b Court Liaison Tracking Systems C+5 GC 34090
Booking/Filing Lists and
Logs, Informal Discovery
requests and
Correspondence. Formal
Discovery scanned to
Investigatory File
004c Subpoenas (Duplicate) C+2 GC 34090
Subpoena Duces Tecum
(SDT) filed with case Report
once completed if
applicable
004d Statistical – Crime Analysis and
other reports C+2 GC 34090
Internally generated
information using activity
logs, citizen requests, .
Reports created for a
variety of purposes. Some
original reports sent to DOJ
& FBI
004f Sealed – Adult /Factual
Innocent
Mandatory
Destruction upon
and pursuant to
Court Order
PC 851.8
Unless sealed pursuant to
PC 851.91 and PC 851.92.
Does not include letter of
finding sent to the
defendant for
grants/denials
001j Restraining Orders C or until S
Destroy after law
enforcement actions
described in PC 273.5,
273.6, 646.9, 12028.5,
13700 and Family Code
Sections 6380-6383 are
fulfilled and effective date
of Restraining Order has
expired
001g Traffic Citations (copies) C+2 GC 34090
Original hard copy is
forwarded to court, citation
records are sent
electronically to the court.
Agency copy kept for
processing. Parking
Citations forwarded to
Revenue Collections
004h
Equipment Records – includes ,
PAS Records and Radar
Calibration Logs, Weapons
Records, ALPR Stats; Flock and
Star Chaser Forms
TER+2 GC 34090 f
004i License/Permits C+2 GC 34090
Parade, Noise Exemption,
Special Events, Block Party,
Taxi, Masseuse. No longer
interested forms to be sent
Page 33 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Police Department
Series Description Total Retention Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
to DOJ for applicant
expired applicant
information.
004j Warrants: Warrants attaining purge
date are sent to Santa Clara
Co DA’s office for review of
extension of warrant/
Active case or purge. All
CLETS/AWS systems must
be updated or cancelled.
(1)Felony Felony – C+ 10 GC 34090
(2)Misdemeanor Misdemeanor – C+7 PC 799
(3)Infraction Infraction – C+7 PC 800/801
004l Records requests,
correspondence C+2 GC 34090
The destruction of felony, misdemeanor, and infraction Crime/Supplemental Reports is permitted providing:
(1)They do not relate to an unadjudicated arrest except for HS 11357 or HS 11360 violations;
(2)They do not relate to unserved warrants;
(3)They do not involve identifiable items which have not been recovered;
(4)The do not relate to PC 290, PC 457.1, or HS 11590 Registrants;
(5)They do not relate to violations listed in PC Sections 799 and PC 800;
(6)The cases are not presently involved in either a civil or criminal litigation.
Page 34 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Public Works
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATION
1 PERSONNEL
Confidential Documents
While
useful Duplicate of Human Resources
1
Contracts/purchase orders
awarded by PW Department,
except construction/capital
improvement
TER+4 CCP 337
CCP 343
AIRPORT
AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS While
useful
TER+4
CCP 337
CCP 343
1 BUDGET
Budget Change Requests PER Duplicate of Office of Management
& Budget
2
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
a) Project Files, Work Orders,
Schedules, Bidders List,
Correspondence, Change Order
b) Specifications, Reports Plans,
Contracts and Subdivisions
PER
H&S
19850
GC 4003
Life of Structure
2
GENERAL
Correspondence
Membership Information
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
C+2 GC 34090
GRANTS
Applications
Awards
PER 2 CFR
200.334 Department Opinion
OPERATIONAL REPORTS
Daily, Weekly, Monthly,
Quarterly, and Annually
C+4 GC 34090 Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA)
PERMITS PER
STAFF
Evaluations
Personnel Action Forms S+5
Labor
Code
Section
5410
Duplicate of HR
TENANT FILES
Applications
Payments/Receipts Log
Leases
PER
ENGINEERING SERVICES
005
013
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
Boundaries & Rolls PER GC 34090
006
020
BENCHMARK DATA
Horizontal, Vertical & Control PER GC 34090 Department Opinion - Need this
data for historical reference material
007
011
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
a) Project Files, Work Orders,
Schedules, Bidders List,
Correspondence,
Change Order
PER
H&S
19850
GC 4003
Life of Structure
Page 35 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Public Works
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
b) Specifications, Reports Plans,
Contracts and Subdivisions
c) Street Reports
8 CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE PER GC 34090 Duplicate of City Clerk
9 CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE S GC 34090
10
ENCROACHMENT PERMITS
a) Permanent Encroachments
b) Temporary Encroachments
PER
C+2
GC 34090
11
FLOOD ZONE
Elevation Certificates & Letter
of Map Amendments
PER GC 34090
12 MAPS – Annexations, Park
Dedication, Tract, & Block S GC 34090 Keep current map version only
13
PERSONNEL
Evaluations
Personnel Action Forms
S Duplicate of HR
14 PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWS C+2 GC 34090
15 SOIL REPORTS PER Department Opinion - Need this
data for historical reference material
16 STREET WORK PERMITS PER GC 34090
17
SUBDIVISIONS
a) Agreements
b) Parcels and Subdivision Maps
PER
S+2
GC 34090 Keep current map version only
18 SURVEYS – Recording Data and
Maps PER GC 34090 Department Opinion - Need this
data for historical reference material
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
19 ENVIRONMENTAL FILES PER Department Opinion
20 Discharger permits and permit
support documents
Permit
expiration
or facility
closure + 3
years
40 CFR Federal Pretreatment Regulations
Other Discharger data and
records C+12 40 CFR
141.91 Federal Pretreatment Regulations
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT
35 FLOW
Discharge Data and Reports PER 40 CFR
122.41 Department Opinion
36
MAINTENANCE
Flow Strip charts, Instrument
Calibrations, Operations,
Maintenance & Laboratory
Records, & Crane Maintenance
and Certification, State
Certification
C+4 Department Opinion
37
NPDES (National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System) –
Permits and Reports
PER 40 CFR
122.28 Department Opinion
Page 36 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Public Works
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
38
PERMITS
Pressurized Vessels, Air &
Industrial Waste
TER+4 GC 34090
39 SAFETY
Meetings and Training C+4 GC 34090
40 SEPTIC & RECLAIMED WATER
Permits, Fees, Billings C+4 GC 34090 Department Opinion
41
PERSONNEL
Accident report, accident
investigation, or other
personnel event resulting in
change of policy
TER+30 Department Opinion
Duplicate of HR
ZERO WASTE
Landfill Daily Log Operator
Assignments and Maintenance
Activities
C+5 GC 34090
Landfill Reports & Records PER GC 34090
Landfill tollbooth receipts C+5
Household Hazardous Waste
Manifest & Reports PER
SMaRT Station & Kirby contract
data C+10 Department Opinion
Waste Contractor data --
GreenWaste of Palo Alto C+10 Department Opinion
Recycling Programs S+2 GC 34090
SUSTAINABILITY
Climate Action Plan Reporting C+25 GC 34090 Department Opinion
Sustainability Project
Documentation C+10 GC 34090 Department Opinion
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data PER GC 34090 Department Opinion
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
21 Transactions – Parts, Fuel, and
Gas Tags C+2 GC 34090
22 Vehicles – Registrations & DMV
Correspondence
Life of
Vehicle DMV Requirement
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
23
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Contracts
City Manager Reports
Specifications
Bidders List
Change Orders
Payment Files
TER+4
C+2
GC 34090
CCP 337
CCP 343
24
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
a) Project Files, Work Orders,
Schedules, Bidders List,
Correspondence, Change Order
PER
H&S
19850
GC 4003
CCP
337.15
Department Opinion
Page 37 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Public Works
Series Description Total
Retention
Statutory
Reference
Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
b) Specifications, Reports Plans,
Contracts and Subdivisions
25 GENERAL - Correspondence
Forms C+2 GC 34090
26
PERSONNEL
Division Staff Schedules
Personnel Action Forms
Injury/Accident Reports
TER
Labor
Code
Section
5410
Originals to HR, copy kept in
individual’s file until employee
termination
27
REPORTS
Quarterly Summary of
maintenance labor and material
costs for Parking Lots
C+2 GC 34090
28 SUBJECT FILES C+2 GC 34090
29
WORK REQUESTS
Labor and Material Tracking
Key Requests
Service Calls
C+2 GC 34090
STREETS/SIDEWALKS/STORM DRAIN
30
26
32
25
DAILY REPORTS
Operator assignments &
equipment status
Storm Drain
Work Orders
C+5 GC 34090
33
Tree line clearing, landscaping
plans, pesticide spraying,
inventory & irrigation plans
C+2 GC 34090
34
WORK ORDERS
Streets, sidewalk, signs,
sweeping, trees
C+5 GC 34090
35 Urban Forestry C+2 GC 34090
Page 38 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
001
Management books, CIP Budget,
Working Files, Operating &
Safety, Staff Meetings,
Correspondence, Budget Change
Requests, Journal Entries
Shipping Receipts, Depreciation,
Proof of Publication
C+2 GC 34090
Master Plans PER Department Opinion
WGW Ops Dailies
WGW Ops Stand-by/Call Out
Time Report
Shipping records Internal vs.
Outside Vendor
C+2
C+2
C+2
Department Opinion
SUBJECT FILES
002
Policies, Procedures, Processes,
Marking Requirements,
Engineering Standards, Electric
Service Requirements, Cable
Specs, Forms, Best Management
Practices
S+2 GC34090 Department Opinion
003 Drivers License Records While
Useful Duplicate of DMV
CONTRACTS
005 Construction &
Services/Products over $25,000
While
Useful CCP 337 Council approved contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
005 Services/Products under $25,000 TER+5 CCP 337 City Attorney Opinion
Construction PER CCP 337.15 Council approved contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
005 Unaccepted Bids C+2 GC 34090
Electric and Gas Meter S+7
Purchase and Sales Agreements -
EEI & NAESB S+7 Department Opinion for
retention in Dept. files
Renewable Energy Certificate
Master Agreement S+7
Dept. Opinion for retention in
Dept. files
Master Agreement -- Transaction
and/or Confirmation Agreements
-- including supporting
documentation (deal sheet,
shopping sheet, authorization
etc.)
TER+7 CCP 337 Retained in Utilities Dept.
Bilateral Commodity and/or
related service agreements TER+7
If within City Manager
authority, then retained in
Utilities Dept. If Council
approved, retained in City
Clerk's Office
PROJECT FILES
Page 39 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
006 Internal working files PER Department opinion
RATES
007 Rates – All Services PER Department opinion
REPORTS
009
Statistical, sales, annual
consumption analysis and
various spreadsheets
C+2 GC 34090
UTILITY ADVISORY COMMISSION
010
Agenda
Proof of Posting
Minutes of all meetings
General Correspondence
Proof of Agenda Posting
PER
C+2
C+2
Agendas Duplicate of City Clerk
TASK FORCE
011 City of Palo Alto and SCVWD
Meetings C+2 GC 34090
011 Any task force – internal and/or
external C+2 GC 34090
REGULATIONS
013
National Gas Act
Pipeline Safety Act
Natural Gas Policy Act
CVPIA
While
Useful
C+2
C+2
C+2
Duplicate of Other Agency
CVPIA = Central Valley Project
Improvement Act
013 Correspondence w/ Agency C+2 GC 34090
STUDIES - SURVEYS
014
Gas System Study
Distribution
Electro Magnetic Field Survey
and Energy Case Studies
Commodity Resource
C+2
C+2
C+2
GC 34090
CUSTOMER SERVICES
015 Customer Correspondence
Letters, faxes, emails C+2 Department Opinion
015
Service:
GC 34090 All listed will be scanned and
retained electronically
• Residential Service
Agreement C+3
• Residential Service
Application C+3
• Commercial Service
Agreement PER
• Commercial Service
Application PER
Page 40 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
• Utilities Account Change C+3
• Make Change to Account C+3
• Account Closure Request C+3
• Close Utilities Account C+3
• Revert to Owner Request PER
• Revert to Owner Application PER
015
Demolition Request
Demolition Application
Temporary Power
Temporary Power Application
Hydrant Water Application
Hydrant Meter Application
C+3
C+3
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
Department Opinion
Department Opinion
015
Billing
• Consumption Adjustment
• Correct Misread and Billings
• Miscellaneous Adjustment
• Apply Credit or Debit
• Invoice Cancellation
• Cancel Rebill Invoice
• PV Statements
• Monthly PV Status
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
All are created and saved on
electronic templates
015
Credit & Collections
• Rate Assistance
• Annual Application Renewal
• Project Pledge
• One time Submission
• Bankruptcy
• LIHeap
• LIHeap send discs
C+2
C+2
PER
PER
C+3
C+2
C+2
Department Opinion
LIHeap = Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program
015
Meter Reading
C+2
Department Opinion
• Customer Read Cards
• Reads Submitted by
Customers
• Customer Read Emails
• Electronic Read Submitted
by Customers
• On/and Off Orders
• Electronic in SAP
CONSTRUCTION
Page 41 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
016
Acquisitions, Easement, Design,
Drawings, Specifications, Photos,
Permits, Soil Reports,
Correspondence, Quotes,
Payments & Schedules
PER GC 34090 Historical
CPAU Work Orders
As-Built Maps
Valve Cards
PER California Department of
Transportation
CPAU Work Orders of
Abandoned Pipe
As-Built Maps of Abandoned
Pipe
Valve Cards of Abandoned Valves
PER Department Opinion
ICOMMM Lateral Work Orders
ACP Forms
C+5
C+5 Department Opinion
REGULATORY AGENCIES
017 Reports to
• Federal Register
C+2 GC 34090
• U.S. Dept of Energy
• PG&E
• State Regulatory Agencies
(e.g. Public Utilities
Commission)
• California Energy
Commission
• California Air Resource
Board
REGULATORY RECORDS
Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)
Reports
Sanitary Surveys
C+5
C+10
40 CFR 141.33
RWQCB
Statistics, reports,
correspondence
Water Discharge Form
Water Discharge Monitoring
C+5
C+5
40 CFR 122.41
Annual Report for Public Works
Storm Water Department
Water Connection Records,
Device Locations, and Water
Maps
PER GC 34090
Reports:
Compliance documentation
Average amount of pollution
discharged into waters
Compliance documentation
• Corrosion Control C+12 40 CFR 141.91
• Discharge Monitoring C+5 40 CR 141.91
• Drinking Water Corrections C+10 40 CFR 141.33
• Lead Service Line C+12 40 CFR 141.91
Water/Sewer Infrastructure Data
in GIS SUP GC 34090
Page 42 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Underground Utility Locating C+6
CAGC Title 1 Division 5
Chapter 3.1 Article 2
Section 4216
Exception Collection Reviews,
Waste Logs C+2 GC 34090
Paradigm Data Sheets
Cathodic Work Orders
Cathodic Protection with Gas
Distribution Map
Exposed Pipe Reports
Steel Pipeline Tapping Coupon
Records
Annual Report to DOT
Emergency Response Plan
Operations and Maintenance
Manual
PER
PER
PER
PER
TER+5
C+5
C+5
C+5
California Department of
Transportation
EMPLOYEE TEST RECORDS
Gas Operator Qualification C+5 California Department of
Transportation
Employee Water Distribution
Certification
Employee Water Treatment
Certification
Employee Backflow Certification
Employee Cross Connection
Certification
C+3
C+3
C+3
C+3
State
Welding Record (form 225A) PER California Department of
Transportation
TESTS/INSPECTIONS/SURVEYS
Backflow Annual Certifications C+3 State
FSR Gas Leak Investigations
(818 Form)
FSR Stop Card Database
Gas Shop Stop Card
Water Shop Stop Card
C+7
PER
PER
PER
California Department of
Transportation
Gas Receiving Stations
Odorant and Oil Drip
Water Meter Test Results
Gas Meter Test Results
Meter Leak Tags
Abnormal Operating Conditions
(AOC)
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
PER
California Department of
Transportation
Page 43 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Water Quality-Water Sources:
• Testing
• Fluoride Summary
• Ground Water Elevation
• Bacteriologic Analysis
• Chemical Analysis
• Reservoirs, Wells & Rainfall
Gauge
Water Maintenance Records
C+10
C+5
Title 22 CCR
66261.24(a)(7)
40 CFR 141.33
State
CPAU Gas Pipeline Patrol
Program
CPAU WGW Operations Pre-
Tested Pipe Tag (Form 503)
CPAU WGW Operations Grade 1
Log Re-Checks
Gas Leakage Survey
C+5
PER
C+5
C+5
California Department of
Transportation
019 Equipment Records Life of
Equip + 2 GC 34090
019
General Information
Regulating
Specifications & Testing
Gas Leakage Survey
Meter Leak Tag
AOC
CPAU/WGW Operations Pre-
Tested Pipe Tag
Gas/Water Shop Stop Card
Odorant & Oil Dip
Valve Cards
Valve Cards of Abandoned Valve
Welding Record
Gas Receiving Station
PER
Form 503
Form 225A
ELECTRIC UTILITY
052
048
Electric--Circuit Map, Electric
Distribution, Street Light Block,
EV Charger Maps
C+2
GC 34090 Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
Maps: Electric Distribution, Pole
Test Block, Distribution Block,
Street Light Block, Hardware and
Coax
Current
while
active,+ 2
years off
site
053
049
Underground District:
Transmission Line Logs &
Correspondence
C+2 GC 34090
054
050 Work Orders: PER Department Opinion
Page 44 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Pacific Bell, Cable Co-op, PG&E,
and Intents
055
051
Acquisitions, Design, Drawings,
Specs, Permits, Correspondence
quotes, Payments & Schedules
CIP/Construction
PER Department Opinion -
Historical
056 Electric Vehicles:
Power Delivery Records
Life of
Vehicle +2
off site
GC34090
057
Street Lights:
Lighting, Program Materials C+2 GC 34090
058 Joint Pole Applications TER+5 Department Opinion
Customer Services Projects
Applications, Plans, Invoices C+2
ELECTRIC OPERATIONS
059
Compliance/Inspections/Locating
• Field Switch/Man on Line
Logs
• Overhead/Underground
Compliance Records
• Underground Service Alert
Notices
a. Completed Tickets
b. Original Email Notices
PER
PER
C+6
C+2
C+1 on site
C+1 on site
Onsite
060 Customer Service – UCC
Dispatch Logs PER Electronic copy on S drive
061
Street Lights/Traffic Signal/Fiber
Notifications – SL & TS
Maintenance – WO - TS
C+6
Work transaction recorded in
SAP. Mark-up records
maintained on site
062
055
Substations
a) Equipment (transformers,
switches, breakers, capacitors,
relays)
• Specifications
• Inspection
• Inventory
• Replacement
• Disposal
Life of
Equip +2
Department Opinion
Duplicate stored offsite as vital
copy backup
062
055
Substations
b) Operations (troubleshooting,
line logs, load reports, power
factor, fences, cost data)
C+6
18 CFR Sections
125.3(23) & 125.3(26)
Inspection records and
equipment test records stored
electronically on F:drive
C+3 on site + 3 years off-site
064
055
Substations
c) Relay and fuse curves, fault
current, calculations, supervisory
control, automation and
C+2 GC 34090 Duplicate stored offsite as vital
backup copy
Page 45 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
distribution automation (SCADA)
and Control Information
MARKETING SERVICES
Program Development PER Department Opinion
061
064
Customer Applications
Smart Energy Program
CAP
PV Partners Program
Solar Water Heating Program
Solar Water Heating Loan
Program 1970-1990
Palo Alto Green Program
Palo Alto Green Gas/New PA
Green
Fiber Program
Customer Applications
Rebate Application & agreement
Rebate Applications
Old Program -- files at The State
Signed Agreements
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
C+2
GC 34090
Department Opinion
Department Opinion
Department Opinion
Department Opinion
Council approved contracts
duplicate of City Clerk
062
066
Vendor contract invoices
3rd Pary Programs
Monthly/quarterly/annual
electronic records
TER+4 CCP 337 Department Opinion
063
066
Key Account Engineering Audit
Reports
BI Reports
Pcard receipts
C+2
C+2
C+2
GC 34090 Department Opinion
067
Public Outreach
Program marketing materials
Customer Workshops & Facility
Manager Meetings
C+6
C+2
Department Opinion
SUPPLY RESOURCE GROUP
070
Settlement Date
Commodity Invoices/payment
records
TER+2
PER
Department Opinion
Keep for two years past
contractual limitation of
invoice dispute
071
Regulatory Reference Materials
(e.g. – laws, ruling, orders, court
cases, settlements)
While
Useful Duplicate of Other Agency
Page 46 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Risk Management
FO and BO Transaction oversight
Monthly BO reports
FO and BO Quarterly reports
FO Weekly Reports
C+6 Department Opinion
078
Rates Documents
Rates/Pricing
Cost of Service Studies
S+7
080
Resource Plans
Long-term Electric Acquisition
Plan, Gas Long-Term Plan, Water
Integrated Resources Plan
S+2
Department Opinion
Adopted plans duplicate of City
Manager
Electric Portfolio Models
Commodity Costs Protections &
Uncertainty Assessment
- load and resource balance
- supply costs
- transmission cost
- interconnection
- agency costs
- hydrology
- plant operation and
maintenance
- regulatory costs
C+7 for
annual
budget
models
Maintained in electronic
models
- overwritten as necessary
Electric Procurement Plan
Procurement Plans -- Needs
Analysis Load/Resource
Balance Targets
Authorizations
C+5 Department opinion
Voluntary Certification and
Verification
C+7
Department Opinion
§ Reports to certifying and
verifying agencies such as The
Climate Registry for GHG
Inventory and for Carbon Neutral
Plan (Electric Power Sector)
§ Reports from certifying and
verification agencies such as
audit reports
§ Risk Oversight Committee
§ New Models
§ Standards of Conduct
R&D Program
PET Projects related
documentation
C+6 Department Opinion
Page 47 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
City of Palo Alto
Records Retention Schedule
Utilities
Series Description Total
Retention Statutory Reference Remarks
C = Current Year
PER = Permanent
TER = Termination
S = Supersede
Policies
Analysis of plans, programs, and
policies that become adopted by
Council
S+2 Department Opinion
Page 48 of 48
Docusign Envelope ID: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8
Certificate Of Completion
Envelope Id: F1AF9083-EC87-49A0-9D54-B275FBCBC7A8 Status: Completed
Subject: RESO 10229 - Record Retention Schedule
Source Envelope:
Document Pages: 50 Signatures: 5 Envelope Originator:
Certificate Pages: 2 Initials: 0 Christine Prior
AutoNav: Enabled
EnvelopeId Stamping: Enabled
Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto , CA 94301
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
IP Address: 165.225.242.87
Record Tracking
Status: Original
6/25/2025 10:54:21 AM
Holder: Christine Prior
Christine.Prior@PaloAlto.gov
Location: DocuSign
Security Appliance Status: Connected Pool: StateLocal
Storage Appliance Status: Connected Pool: City of Palo Alto Location: Docusign
Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Jennifer Fine
jennifer.fine@paloalto.gov
Deputy City Attorney
COPA
Security Level: Email, Account Authentication
(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address: 170.85.54.82
Sent: 6/25/2025 10:57:27 AM
Viewed: 7/2/2025 8:52:48 AM
Signed: 7/2/2025 8:53:19 AM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Not Offered via Docusign
Mahealani Ah Yun
Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov
Security Level: Email, Account Authentication
(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address:
2601:640:8e80:6e70:45f7:341e:4159:f91
Sent: 7/2/2025 8:53:21 AM
Viewed: 7/10/2025 8:21:03 AM
Signed: 7/10/2025 8:21:15 AM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Not Offered via Docusign
Ed Shikada
Ed.Shikada@paloalto.gov
Ed Shikada
City of Palo Alto
Security Level: Email, Account Authentication
(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address: 199.33.32.254
Sent: 7/10/2025 8:21:17 AM
Viewed: 7/10/2025 11:08:44 AM
Signed: 7/10/2025 11:08:50 AM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Not Offered via Docusign
Ed Lauing
Ed.Lauing@paloalto.gov
Security Level: Email, Account Authentication
(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address: 73.158.105.71
Sent: 7/10/2025 11:08:52 AM
Viewed: 7/10/2025 3:00:31 PM
Signed: 7/10/2025 3:00:50 PM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Not Offered via Docusign
Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Mahealani Ah Yun
Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov
Security Level: Email, Account Authentication
(None)
Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style
Using IP Address:
2601:640:8e80:6e70:2947:37f2:a6ab:a3e0
Signed using mobile
Sent: 7/10/2025 3:00:51 PM
Viewed: 7/10/2025 3:01:48 PM
Signed: 7/10/2025 3:02:01 PM
Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:
Not Offered via Docusign
In Person Signer Events Signature Timestamp
Editor Delivery Events Status Timestamp
Agent Delivery Events Status Timestamp
Intermediary Delivery Events Status Timestamp
Certified Delivery Events Status Timestamp
Carbon Copy Events Status Timestamp
Witness Events Signature Timestamp
Notary Events Signature Timestamp
Envelope Summary Events Status Timestamps
Envelope Sent Hashed/Encrypted 6/25/2025 10:57:27 AM
Certified Delivered Security Checked 7/10/2025 3:01:48 PM
Signing Complete Security Checked 7/10/2025 3:02:01 PM
Completed Security Checked 7/10/2025 3:02:01 PM
Payment Events Status Timestamps