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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 1Ch. 1Art. 4§ 34090 City Record Destruction Rules

§ 34090 City Record Destruction Rules

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 34090 City Record Destruction Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •City workers can throw away old city papers they don’t need anymore, but only if the city leaders and the city lawyer say it’s okay.
  • •They can’t throw away important papers like property records, court papers, or laws the city has to keep.
  • •They also can’t throw away anything less than two years old.
  • •There’s another rule (Section 34090.5) that might let them throw away papers in a different way.

Example

A city worker has a bunch of old parking ticket records from 10 years ago that no one needs anymore.

The worker can throw them away, but only if the city leaders and the city lawyer agree. If the tickets are less than two years old, they can’t be thrown away.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 34090 City Record Destruction Rules

Unless otherwise provided by law, with the approval of the legislative body by resolution and the written consent of the city attorney, the head of a city department may destroy any city record, document, instrument, book, or paper, under the department head’s charge, without making a copy thereof, after the same is no longer required. This section does not authorize the destruction of: (a) Records affecting the title to real property or liens thereon. (b) Court records. (c) Records required to be kept by statute. (d) Records less than two years old. (e) The minutes, ordinances, or resolutions of the legislative body or of a city board or commission. This section shall not be construed as limiting or qualifying in any manner the authority provided in Section 34090.5 for the destruction of records, documents, instruments, books, and papers in accordance with the procedure therein prescribed. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 467, Sec. 15. (SB 1498) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

ownershipresolutionpropertycommissionlienordinancedestructiondocument

Related Statutes

  • § 1091.5 Conflict Of Interest Exemptions
  • § 52080 County Authority Commissioner Appointments
  • § 25103 Board Signature Authorization Rules
  • § 29007 Budget Position Salary Schedule
  • § 29090 Budget Adoption By Reference

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 34090.
View Official Source