8 CRR-NY App. HNY-CRR

OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
TITLE 8. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
8 CRR-NY App. H
8 CRR-NY App. H
RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSITION SCHEDULE MU-1
FOR USE BY
CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES AND FIRE DISTRICTS
8 NYCRR, Section 185.11 (Appendix H)
The University of the State of New York
THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
New York State Archives
1988, revised 2003
Rev. 2003
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
This revised Records Retention and Disposition Schedule indicates the minimum length of time that officials of Cities, Towns, Villages and Fire Districts must retain their records before they may be disposed of legally. It is a revised edition of Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1, originally issued in 1988, and revised since then. It has been prepared and issued by the State Archives and Records Administration (SARA), State Education Department, pursuant to section 57.25 of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, and Part 185, Title 8 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.
The purposes of this Schedule are to:
(1) ensure that records are retained as long as needed for administrative, legal and fiscal purposes;
(2) ensure that State and Federal record retention requirements are met;
(3) ensure that record series with enduring historical and other research value are identified and retained permanently; and
(4) encourage and facilitate the systematic disposal of unneeded records.
Adoption and Use of the Schedule
Before records disposition takes place, this Schedule must be formally adopted by resolution of the governing body. Adoption procedures are explained in the Instructions. If your governing body has already adopted Schedule MU-1 (1988) by resolution, then you do not need to adopt the Schedule again in order to use this revised edition, even though there are major changes between this edition and the previous edition of the Schedule. Once the Schedule has been adopted, local officials may proceed to dispose of records that have met the retention periods specified on the Schedule.
Previous Schedules Superseded
Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1 supersedes and replaces all Records Retention and Disposition Schedules previously issued by SARA for use by cities, towns, villages and fire districts: 4-P-1, 4-P-1A, 4-P-1B, 11-City-1, 12-CP-1, 19-TC-1, 20-Lib-1, 23-H-2, and 24-CSP-2.The consent of the Commissioner of Education to use these schedules is withdrawn, and they may not be used to dispose of records. The governing body must adopt Records Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1 in order to dispose of any records.
Archival Records
Archival records are records that governments must keep permanently to meet fiscal, legal, or administrative needs of the government or which the government retains because they contain historically significant information. Records do not have to be old to be archival; local officials create and use archival records daily in offices. What makes a record worthy of permanent retention and special management is the continuing importance of the information it contains.
When SARA has determined that a record series has enduring historical or other research significance for all local governments, the series has been given a permanent designation on the Schedule. Other record series which may have historical or research significance in some local governments but not in others have an appraisal note to encourage local officials to evaluate the records to determine their importance before disposition. However, SARA cannot identify all record series with historical or research significance for individual local governments. Knowledge of people, places, or events in each community and the unique circumstances of each government will determine which records are significant. Local Officials will need to appraise records with nonpermanent retention periods for potential research or historical value before destroying them.
The usefulness of archival records depends on the government's ability to preserve them, retrieve the information they contain, and make that information available to researchers. Further information on managing archival records is provided in SARA Information Leaflet No. 40, Fundamentals of Managing Local Government Archival Records.
Appraising Records for Historical or Research Significance
A local government record has historical or other research importance if it provides significant evidence of how the government functions and/or if it provides significant information about people, places or events that involve the government. Since each community has its own unique history, the importance or value of a record series may vary from local government to local government.
Because local governments are continually involved in the lives of people, their records may contain a tremendous amount of information about the people who live there, the buildings and sites within their borders, and the important time periods or significant events that affected the people of the region.
Government records can reveal information about what people owned; about attitudes, values and concerns of the citizens; about how the construction of a new highway led to the end of a neighborhood, or about how a community reacted to a military base closing. The records may contain information about the people, places or events themselves or about the decisions made in relation to them. This information can be very valuable to staff, researchers, and the public, but only if the information itself is significant. The records must contain enough information to adequately document the people, places, or events recorded. The significance of the records will depend on:
When the records were created: records created during a time of momentous change, which are scarce or which cover a long period of time tend to be more significant.
What kind of information the records contain: records that contain more in-depth information are more likely to have enduring value.
Who created the records: records that reflect an employee's perspective or individual point of view may be more significant.
What other records exist: if the information in the records exists in other records within the local government or elsewhere in the State or country, then the records are less likely to be significant.
The unique history of the local government or community: records created during important time periods or events can provide clues to how the events affected the development of the government and the community it serves.
The historical or other research importance of records will vary from local government to local government and from region to region. The people, places, or events in each community, and the unique circumstances of each government, determine which records are significant. Further information on identifying historically significant records is provided in SARA Information Leaflet No. 50, Appraisal of Local Government Records for Historical Value. SARA staff can also advise and assist local officials who are appraising records for potential long-term research value.
Records Created Before 1910
Disposition of records created before 1910 requires specific written approval from SARA, as required by section 185.6(c) of 8 NYCRR, the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Certain records which would normally be disposable under Schedule MU-1 may need to be kept if created before 1910. Often these records have continuing historical or research value because:
(1) Other documentation no longer exists. Many earlier records were destroyed through natural disaster or through destruction by public officials prior to the passage of the first State statute in 1911 requiring the consent of the Commissioner of Education to the disposition of local public records.
(2) The volume and type of information contained in records have changed since the beginning of the 20th century. Older records often have more detailed and historically significant information than those produced today.
(3) Early records sometimes have intrinsic value beyond the information they contain. “Intrinsic value” refers to qualities, such as value for exhibits, association with significant events, and aesthetic value, which records may possess beyond merely the information they contain. Further information on identifying records with intrinsic value is provided in SARA Information Leaflet No. 36, Intrinsic Value of Local Government Archival Records.
Local officials desiring to dispose of any records created before 1910 should telephone or write SARA, to obtain disposition request forms. This requirement also applies to the disposition of original records predating 1910 which have been microfilmed. SARA will review each request and advise the local government on retention or disposition of the records.
Records Not on Schedule MU-1
This Schedule covers the vast majority of all records of cities, towns, villages and fire districts. For any record not listed, the Records Management Officer, or the custodian of the record, should contact SARA to determine if it is indeed covered by this Schedule and if a legal minimum retention period has been established. If not, SARA will consult with appropriate State and local officials and users of local government records and advise the local government on the disposition of the records. If the record is not covered by an item on this Schedule, it must be retained until a revised edition of or addendum to Schedule MU-1 is issued containing an item covering the record in question and providing a minimum legal retention period for it.
Canceled Obligations
The disposition of canceled obligations (including bonds and notes) is covered by section 63.10 of the Local Finance Law and Part 55 of Title 2 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York. A leaflet on this subject is available from SARA's Government Records Services. Questions about the destruction procedure should be addressed to the Office of State Comptroller, Division of Legal Services, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12236; phone (518) 474-5586.
Court Records in Municipal Offices
Disposition of court records is governed by the State Office of Court Administration (OCA). Disposition schedules listing court records held by municipalities are available from OCA. For information, contact Records Office, Office of Court Administration, 25 Beaver Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004 (212-428-2877).
Official Birth, Death and Marriage Records
Records of births, deaths, and marriages (dating after 1880) generated pursuant to article 41 of the Public Health Law or Domestic Relations Law are considered State government records even though they are generated by or filed in local government offices. Disposition of State government records is governed by the provisions of section 57.05(11) of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law. Disposition under this Law is also coordinated by SARA's Government Records Services. For more information, contact SARA or the Director's Office, Vital Records Section, New York State Department of Health, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602 (518-474-3055).
Records of New York City
Retention periods for records of New York City offices and boroughs are established by the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 (212-788-8571). Contact that office for more information if you represent an agency, unit or other part of the corporate entity of New York City, including its boroughs. Remember that all other local governments located in New York City, including counties, school districts and public benefit corporations, use retention schedules issued by SARA.
HOW TO USE SCHEDULE MU-1
Adoption of Schedule MU-1 and Request for Additional Copies
Before any records listed on Schedule MU-1 may be disposed of, the governing body must formally adopt the Schedule by passing a resolution. A model resolution is included in the Introduction to this Schedule. It is not necessary to send a copy of the passed resolution to SARA.
This Schedule may be used by the local government until the governing body rescinds its authorizing resolution, or the Schedule is superseded or replaced by SARA.
Additional copies of Schedule MU-1 can be obtained by calling SARA at (518) 474-6926 or faxing SARA at (518) 486-4923. Schedule MU-1 can also be obtained in electronic format by calling, faxing or writing SARA. SARA's e-mail address is [email protected]. Schedule MU-1 is also available on the internet at SARA's web site at http://www.sara.nysed.gov.
Arrangement of Items on the Schedule
In general items on Schedule MU-1 are arranged as they were on the previous edition, with a few significant exceptions. The Budget, Payroll and Purchasing sections are now subsections of the Fiscal section. The Planning and Zoning sections are now subsections of the Building and Property Regulation section. Radiological Health records have been moved from the Environmental Health section to the Public Health section. New sections have been added to cover records of Heritage Areas (Urban Cultural Parks) and Veterans' Services.
New or Revised Items
Items on this Schedule preceded by a diamond symbol (A) are either new to the 2000 edition or substantively changed from the previous (1993) edition. Items preceded by a double diamond symbol (AA) are either new to this 2003 edition or substantively changed from the 2000 edition. They may have longer or shorter retention periods, additional parts, or additional or revised explanatory notes. Please note these changes carefully on your office schedules and/or inventory or records control forms because only the current items as contained in this edition of Schedule MU-1 are legally applicable. In particular, the Public Safety section has been thoroughly revised, with new subsections and items reorganized.
Unique Item Numbering System
In addition to consecutive numbering of items within each section/subsection of the Schedule, items are also assigned a unique identifying number. That number, which appears in brackets [ ], does not change as items are revised or relocated in new editions of Schedule MU-1. New items in this edition have been assigned new unique identifying numbers regardless of their location in the Schedule.
Interpreting Schedule Items
Many of the schedule items are broad and describe the purpose or function of records rather than identifying individual documents and forms. Local officials should match the records in their offices with the generalized descriptions on the Schedule to determine appropriate retention periods. Records whose content and function are substantially the same as an item described in the Schedule should be considered to be covered by that item. Local officials should check with SARA when they are uncertain regarding coverage of a function.
Retention periods on this Schedule apply to one “official” copy designated by the local government unless otherwise stated. No matter what the medium, local officials must ensure that the information will be retained for the specified retention period.
The retention periods listed in this Schedule pertain to the information contained in records, regardless of physical form or characteristic (paper, microfilm, computer disk or tape, or other medium). Duplicate copies of records, including copies maintained on different media (paper, electronic, etc.), may be disposed of in accordance with item no. 19 of the General section of this Schedule.
Legal Actions
Some records may be needed to defend the local government in legal actions. Records that are being used in such actions must be retained for the entire period of the action even if their retention period has passed. If the retention period has expired by the time the legal action ends, the record must be retained for at least one additional year to resolve any need for the record in an appeal. If the retention period has not expired, the record must be retained for the remainder of the retention period, but not less than one year after the legal action ends. Prior to disposing of records, local officials may wish to consult with their municipal counsel to verify that no legal actions have been initiated which would require longer retention of the records.
Additional Retention Requirement in Commissioner's Regulations
The State Education Department's Office of the Professions oversees the professional conduct of licensed health professionals other than physicians, who are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health. Section 29.2 of 8 NYCRR (Regulations of the Commissioner of Education) contains “General Provisions for the Health Professions.” Paragraph 3 of subdivision a of this section states that “unprofessional conduct” includes “failing to maintain records for each patient which accurately reflects the evaluation and treatment of the patient. Unless otherwise provided by law, all patient records must be retained for at least six years. ...records of minor patients must be retained for at least six years and until one year after the patient reaches the age of 21 years.”
A number of health related items on Schedule MU-1 and other SARA schedules contain minimum legal retention periods which permit disposition of records 3 years after a minor attains age 18. These items are mostly found in the Personnel/Civil Service and Public Health sections. In these instances, certain records pertaining to minors must also be retained for an additional year if those records are subject to the section 29.2 requirements for health professionals, other than physicians, employed by or associated with local governments. For additional information on this situation, contact SARA's Government Records Services.
Audits
Program and fiscal audits and other needs of State and Federal agencies are taken into account when retention periods are established by SARA. However, in some instances agencies with audit responsibility and authority may formally request that certain records be kept beyond the retention periods. If such a request is made, these records must be retained beyond the retention periods until the local government receives the audit report or until the need is satisfied.
Records that have been Microfilmed or Electronically Duplicated
The retention and disposition of the originals of records that have been microfilmed or electronically duplicated is governed by section 57.29 of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law and SARA procedures. Please contact SARA for further information prior to beginning a program of microfilming or any other form of records duplication.
Electronic Records
While items on Schedule MU-1 for the most part cover records regardless of the format in which they are maintained, electronic records in some subject areas are treated differently in this edition of the schedule. Some electronic records are listed specifically in the Building and Property Regulation, Public Health, Public Safety, and Taxation and Assessment sections. In addition, the Electronic Data Processing section has been greatly expanded to cover a number of series not covered by the previous edition of this Schedule. Study SARA's Regulations relating to electronic records (section 185.8, 8 NYCRR), and contact SARA if you have any questions or problems after reviewing these requirements. Contact SARA as well if you need additional information on electronic records falling in the subject areas mentioned above.
Generally, records transmitted through e-mail systems have the same retention periods as records in other formats that are related to the same program function or activity. E-mail records should be scheduled for disposition in conjunction with any other records related to the program function. Local governments may delete, purge, or destroy e-mail records provided that the records have been retained for the minimum retention established in this Schedule and are not being used for a legal action or audit. Transitory messages may be destroyed in a timely manner, using item no. 18 in the General section of the Schedule. Further information on e-mail records, suggested filing practices, dealing with duplicate copies, and a sample e-mail policy are found in Managing Records in E-Mail Systems (1995), available from SARA.
Electronic records created specifically for distribution via the internet are considered publications, and are covered by item no. 11 in the General section.
Public Access to Records
This Schedule does not address the issue of public access to records. Access issues are not covered by the Local Government Records Law but are covered by the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, sections 84 through 90). SARA urges local government officials to consult with their own counsels, the Committee on Open Government which administers the Freedom of Information Law (see below), or the State or Federal agency having oversight over the records in question.
The Committee on Open Government is responsible for administering the Freedom of Information Law, which governs rights of access to government records. (The Committee also administers the Open Meetings Law which concerns the conduct of meetings of public bodies and the right to attend those meetings.) The Committee can provide written or oral advice and mediate in controversies in which rights may be unclear. For more information or advice, please contact:
Robert J. Freeman
Executive Director
Committee on Open Government
NYS Department of State
41 State Street
Albany, NY 12231
518-474-2518
The Committee has issued a booklet, Your Right to Know: New York State's Open Government Laws, which provides guidance on the Freedom of Information Law. As explained in that booklet, the law defines what is meant by a “record” and sets forth provisions regarding access. The booklet states that “all records are accessible, except records that fall within one of nine categories of deniable records.” These nine categories (section 87-2 of the Law) are explained in the booklet. The categories include records which, if disclosed, would result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; records which would, if disclosed, impair present or imminent contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations; certain records prepared for law enforcement purposes; certain types of inter-agency or intra-agency communications; and several other categories. The booklet describes them in detail. As the booklet notes,
“The categories of deniable records are generally directed to the effects of disclosure. They are based in great measure upon the notion that disclosure would in some instances ‘impair,’ ‘cause substantial injury,’ ‘interfere,’ ‘deprive,’ ‘endanger,’ etc.”
Local officials should note that the Freedom of Information Law does not require that they provide unrestricted public access to birth, death and marriage licenses. Information about providing access to such records can be obtained from the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health.
Governments are required to develop a subject matter list of their records and to designate a records access officer to coordinate their response to public requests for records. The booklet also explains how people can obtain records, the process for denying access, and how that denial can be appealed. It explains other provisions of the law in detail.
SARA strongly urges local officials to read this booklet and contact the Committee on Open Government for any guidance or advice that is needed.
Records in this Schedule may or may not be confidential, depending on what information they contain and on the possible effect of disclosure of that information. In approaching issues of confidentiality and access, it may be helpful to consider the following, after reviewing the laws and the Your Right to Know booklet referred to above:
A What was the purpose for which the records were created?
A What information do they contain—what subjects are covered?
A How are the records used?
A How do they relate to other records that may have similar information?
A What would be the likely effect of disclosure of the information in the records?
SUGGESTIONS FOR RECORDS DISPOSITION
Once this Schedule has been formally adopted valueless records may be disposed of continually as they meet their stated minimum retention periods. The advantages of a program for systematic, legal disposal of obsolete records are that it:
(1) ensures that records are retained as long as they are actually needed for administrative, fiscal, legal, or research purposes;
(2) ensures that records are properly disposed of after they are no longer needed;
(3) frees storage space and equipment for important records and for new records as they are created;
(4) eliminates time and effort required to service and sort through superfluous records to find needed information;
(5) eliminates the potential fire hazard from storage of large quantities of valueless records; and
(6) facilitates the identification and preservation of archival records.
Suggestions for systematically approaching the disposition process include the following:
(A) Section 57.19 of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law requires each local government to designate a Records Management Officer to coordinate or directly carry out disposition. The duties of a Records Management Officer are described in SARA Information Leaflet No. 1, Fundamentals of Establishing a Records Management Program. Copies of this Leaflet are available upon request from SARA.
(B) Disposition should be carried out regularly, at least once a year. It should not be deferred until records become a pressing storage problem. Duplicate copies of records, including copies maintained on different media (paper, electronic, etc.), may be disposed of in accordance with item no. 19 of the General section of this Schedule.
(C) State law does not prescribe the physical means of destruction of most records. Records may be destroyed in any way the Records Management Officer or other local official chooses. Disposition through consignment to a paper recycling plant is often the best choice as it helps conserve natural resources and also yields revenue for the local government. For records containing confidential information, disposition should be carried out in a way that ensures that the confidentiality of individuals named in the records is protected.
(D) A record should be kept of the identity, inclusive dates, and approximate quantity of records that are disposed. Sample disposition forms are available from SARA.
(E) The Records Management Officer, or other official who carries out disposition, should describe what has been done to dispose of records during the year in an annual report to the governing body.
REMINDERS
1. Records created before 1910 (even those which have been microfilmed) are not eligible for disposition without written permission from SARA.
2. No records may be disposed of unless they are listed on this Schedule, or their disposition is covered by other State laws.
3. Records common to most offices are listed under the General section of the Schedule. One should first attempt to locate a specific item under a functional heading. If the record you are locating cannot be found under a functional heading, then proceed to this General section to search for a less specific item covering the record.
4. Records being used in legal actions must be retained for one year after the legal action ends, or until their scheduled retention period has passed, whichever is longer.
5. Records being kept beyond the established retention periods for audit and other purposes at the request of State or Federal agencies must be retained until the local government receives the audit report, or the need is satisfied.
6. Retention periods on this Schedule apply to one “official” copy designated by the local government, unless otherwise stated.
7. The retention periods listed in this Schedule pertain to the information contained in records, regardless of physical form or characteristic (paper, microfilm, computer disk or tape, or other medium).
8. The Budget, Payroll and Purchasing sections are now subsections of the Fiscal section. The Planning and Zoning sections are now subsections of the Building and Property Regulation section. Radiological Health records have been moved from the Environmental Health section to the Public Health section. New sections have been added to cover records of Heritage Areas (Urban Cultural Parks) and Veterans' Services.
9. SARA cannot identify all record series with historical significance for individual local governments. Local officials will need to appraise records with nonpermanent retention periods for potential research or historical value before destroying them.
10. Certain records may need to be retained for one year longer than Schedule MU-1 dictates if those records are subject to the requirements stated in section 29.2 of 8 NYCRR for health professionals, other than physicians, employed by or associated with local governments.
11. The Local Government Records Law and Schedule MU-1 do not address confidentiality of records. Confidentiality of records is often dependent upon what information they contain. Local officials should address such questions to the Committee on Open Government, their own counsels, or other State or Federal agency having oversight of the records in question.
Schedule MU-1
 
General
GENERAL
NOTE: Records common to most offices are listed under this section of the Schedule. In using the Schedule, one should first attempt to locate a specific item under a functional heading. If the record you are locating cannot be found under a functional heading, then proceed to this General section to search for a less specific item covering the record.
A1.[1]Official minutes and hearing proceedings of governing body or board, commission or committee thereof including all records accepted as part of minutes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[2]Recording of voice conversations, including audio tape, videotape, stenotype or stenographer's notebook and also including verbatim minutes used to produce official minutes and hearing proceedings, report, or other record
a. Recording of public meeting of governing body or board, committee or commission thereof:
RETENTION: 4 months after transcription and/or approval of minutes or proceedings
NOTE: Videotapes of public hearings and meetings which have been broadcast on local government public access television as covered by item no. 33, below.
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Audio and videotapes of public hearings and meetings at which significant matters are discussed may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice on the long-term maintenance of these records.
b. Recording other than of public meeting:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA3.[3]Meeting files for meeting of governing body or board or agency, commission or committee thereof, including agendas, background materials and other records used at meetings:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Appraise these records for continuing administrative or historical value prior to disposition. Agendas may have continuing administrative value and may be useful for accessing information in unindexed minutes and for indexing those minutes. Other records prepared for or used at meetings may have administrative or historical value for documenting issues discussed at the meetings and referenced in the minutes. See item no. 1, above, for records which are accepted as part of the minutes.
A4.[4]Legal opinion or legal directive rendered by government agency:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
5.[5]Local law (including certification that law was properly enacted), rule, regulation, ordinance, resolution, proclamation or court order:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A6.[6]Legal agreement, including contract, lease, and release involving local government:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or termination or 6 years after final payment under contract, whichever is later
NOTE: This item does not apply to contracts, (collective bargaining agreements) between a local government and a public employee labor organization. These contracts are covered by item no. 375 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, and must be retained permanently.
7.[7]Signature card, or equivalent record, showing signature of individual legally authorized to sign specific transaction:
RETENTION: 6 years after authorization expires or is withdrawn
AA8.[8]Proof of publication or posting, legal notices, or certification thereof:
NOTE: This item does not apply to real property tax lien sales or to notice of forthcoming election (see item no. 599 in the Taxation and Assessment section or item no. 179 in the Election section)
a. Relating to bond or note issue or tax limit increase:
RETENTION: 6 years after issue or increase disapproved or retired
b. Not relating to bond or note issue or tax limit increase:
RETENTION: 6 years
A9.[9]Manual of procedures, or policies and standards:
a. Involving major procedures, policies and standards affecting local government operations, critical functions or issues of public visibility or concern:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Involving routine day-to-day procedures, policies and standards pertaining to internal administration of a local government:
RETENTION: 6 years after superseded
A10.[10]Correspondence, and supporting documentation maintained in a subject file (generated or received by a local government), except correspondence that is part of a case file or other record series listed elsewhere on this Schedule
a. Documenting significant policy or decision making or significant events, or dealing with legal precedents or significant legal issues:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: Significant correspondence is often maintained by the chief executive or administrative officer, and sometimes in subject file format. See item no. 581 in the Supervisor, Mayor, Manager, and/or Administrator section.
b. Containing routine legal, fiscal or administrative information:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Of no fiscal, legal or administrative value (including letters of transmittal, invitations and cover letters):
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A11.[11]Official copy of publication, including newsletter, press release, published report, bulletin, educational or informational program material prepared by or for local government
NOTE: Specific publications are listed in other places in this Schedule. Before using this item to determine the minimum legal retention for a publication, determine if that publication is covered by a more specific item.
a. Publications which contain significant information or substantial evidence of plans and directions for government activities, or publications where critical information is not contained in other publications:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Publications where critical information is also contained in other publications or reports, publications which document routine activities, publications which contain only routine information, or publications which facilitate access to government information on the internet, such as web pages:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of samples of publications covered by part “b” of the above item. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
A12.[12]Special project or program files, including official copy of publications, videotapes, or informational literature prepared for public distribution, background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after project or program ends
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. If special projects or programs deal with significant subjects, then certain documentation from these files, such as summary reports and resulting publications, should be retained permanently.
A13.[13]Grant program file
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently.
a. Application, proposal, narrative, evaluation, and annual report for grants that have been awarded:
RETENTION: 6 years after renewal or close of grant
NOTE: Local governments may find that some of the records covered by part “a” have ongoing administrative value. These records may be useful beyond the minimum retention period for preparing future grant applications.
b. Background material, fiscal records, and supporting documentation for grants that have been awarded and all records relating to grant applications that have been rejected:
RETENTION: 6 years after renewal or close of grant or denial of application
A14.[29]Complaint, petition or request for service received by local government
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Petitions by citizens involving very significant issues should be retained permanently.
NOTE: For additional fiscal items, see Fiscal section of this Schedule.
a. Summary record (such as log or register) of complaints, petitions or requests:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of all complaints, petitions or requests listed
b. Complaints, petitions or request relating to other than routine services or activities:
RETENTION: 6 years after final disposition of complaint, petition or request
c. Complaints, petitions or requests relating to routine government services or activities:
RETENTION: 1 year after final disposition of complaint, petition or request
A15.[15]Opinion survey records
a. Survey results, including official copy of survey form:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Survey results and sample forms involving very significant issues should be retained permanently.
b. Completed survey forms:
RETENTION: 0 after survey results prepared
A16.[16]Repair, installation, maintenance or similar record, including but not limited to request for service, work order, record of work done, and summary or log of service performed:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: For maintenance, testing, service, operational and repair records for public equipment or vehicle, see item no. 487 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
A17.[17]Internal investigation or non-fiscal audit records
NOTE: Fiscal audit records are covered by item no. 260 in the Fiscal section, Audit subsection. Investigations of personnel are covered by item no. 365 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, Personnel subsection.
a. Report and recommendation resulting from investigation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
A18.[18]Internal information record, including but not limited to calendars of appointments, office and travel schedule, memoranda and routing slips, routine internal reports, reviews and plans, used solely to disseminate information or for similar administrative purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
19.[19]Duplicate copy of record, created for administrative convenience, except where retention is specified elsewhere in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A20.[20]Log or schedule used for internal administrative purposes only:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A21.[21]Mailing list used for billing or other administrative purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
A22.[22]Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or other periodic internal or external report, summary, review, evaluation, log, list, statement or statistics:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: For annual, special, or final report, summary, review or evaluation, see item no. 23, below. For routine internal reports and reviews, see item no. 18, above.
A23.[23]Annual, special or final report, summary, review or evaluation
NOTE: Specific annual reports are listed in many places in this Schedule. Before using this item to determine the minimum legal retention for an annual report, determine if that report is covered by a more specific item.
a. Reports which contain substantial evidence of government policy, procedures, plans and directions:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Reports where critical information is contained in other reports, reports which document internal management and housekeeping activities, or reports which contain only routine legal, fiscal and administrative information:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently.
A24.[24]Program plan (annual, special or long-range):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: Program plans of a routine nature covering internal activities are covered by item, no. 18, above. Program plans where significant information is duplicated in other records (which are retained permanently) are covered by item no. 19, above.
25.[25]List, index or summary used for internal administrative convenience or for informational purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
26.[26]Working document, such as draft, worksheet or posting record except worksheets containing fiscal information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A27.[27]Communication log recording each communication between caller and receiving unit
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Items 27 & 28 do not apply to records found in the public safety area. See the Public Safety section of this Schedule.
28.[28]Telephone call log, statement or equivalent record:
RETENTION:1 year
A29.[33]Identification card (duplicate copy or record of issuance) issued to client, patron or resident:
RETENTION: 0 after invalid
NOTE: This does not apply to identification cards issued by a law- enforcement agency as proof of age or residency or identification cards issued by local government to its employees. See item no. 528 in the Public Safety section and item no. 370 in the Personnel/Civil Service section.
30.[30]Postal records, including returned registered or certified mail card or receipt and insurance receipt:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: This does not apply to records documenting delivery of notification to interested parties relating to tax lien sales. See the Taxation and Assessment section of this Schedule.
A31.[31]Accident report and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years, or 0 after individual attains age 21, whichever is later
A32.[32]Report of incident of theft, arson, vandalism, property damage or similar occurrence:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: This item does not apply to records found in the public safety area. See the Public Safety section of this Schedule.
A33.[653]Local government public access television records
a. Videotape (or other information storage device) recording local government public access television program, where program is produced by a local government
Where program constitutes an important public meeting, significant event, important subject or documents local government policy making:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: In order to ensure the continued preservation and availability of videotapes, local governments should consider using broadcast-quality tapes where possible. Those tapes should be periodically inspected and copied to newer tapes and formats. Consult SARA for additional advice.
Where program constitutes a routine meeting, event, or subject:
RETENTION: 1 year
Where program is aired but not produced by a local government:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
b. Viewer guide or other periodic listing of programs
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. SARA recommends that local governments retain a sampling of these records on a monthly, seasonal or other periodic basis.
c. Program files on local government cable television programs:
RETENTION: 6 years
A34.[654]Records covering photocopying and other reproduction of records, books, or other materials, including usage logs and individual copying requests
a. For materials subject to U.S. Copyright Law:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. For materials not subject to U.S. Copyright Law:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A35.[655]Training course information records, including but not limited to memoranda, flyers, catalogues and other records related to specific training courses including information on course content, program registration, instructor, credits, hours and roster of agency registrants:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: This item does not cover training in the Public Safety area; see item nos. 498 and 504 in the Public Safety section. This item does not cover training in dealing with toxic substances; see item no. 379 in the Personnel/ Civil Service section.
A36.[656]Training course registration processing records, including but not limited to employees' application and enrollment records for courses including employee data forms, course applications, and supervisors' and training officers' authorizations or denials:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of application to take course
AA37.[861]Copyright records, for materials copyrighted by local government, including but not limited to copy of application, notice of copyright and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after copyright expires or application denied
Schedule MU-1
 
Aging or Senior Services
AGING OR SENIOR SERVICES
1.[34]Annual and multi-year comprehensive plans, compliance reports and non- fiscal audits relating to aging services:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[35]Log or index of seniors served by local aging services program:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A3.[36]Individual client file, including but not limited to applications, evaluations, and follow-up report:
RETENTION: 6 years after last contact with client
4.[37]Senior volunteer file, including but not limited to registration, enrollment and service records:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1Archives/Records Management
ARCHIVES/RECORDS MANAGEMENT
A1.[38]Records disposition documentation
a. Consent of the Commissioner of Education to the use of records retention and disposition schedules and the legal disposition of records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
b. Documentation of final disposition of records, describing records disposed of and manner and date of disposition:
RETENTION: 6 years after final disposition of records
NOTE: Local governments may wish to retain records covered by part “b” longer than the minimum retention period, to provide evidence that records have been legally disposed of, in response to requests for public access to records. In addition, documentation of the final disposition of archival records is covered by item no. 40, below.
A2.[39]Inventory of records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
3.[40]Records transfer list
a. For archival records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. For inactive records:
RETENTION: 0 after disposition of records on list
A4.[41]Retrieval request for records in storage:
RETENTION: 0 after return of records, or 3 years after retrieval when records not returned
5.[42]Archival administration records
a. Appraisal and accessioning documentation, including assessment of conservation needs:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Processing and management working papers, drafts, notes, and related records:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A6.[43]Guide, listing, index, or other finding aid to archival records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
NOTE: Local governments should retain any superseded guides, lists, indices or other finding aids containing record numbering and identification information, or any other significant information not carried forward to newer versions.
A7.[44]Records on use of archival materials
a. Log or register of researchers, and patrons's registration for use of archival records:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Researcher interviews, reference statistics, requests for records, or similar reference service records:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
Schedule MU-1
 
Attorney or Counsel
ATTORNEY OR COUNSEL
A1.[45]Legal case file, including but not limited to notice of claim, attorney and investigator activity logs, complaints, court order, motions, notes, briefs, releases and closing sheet:
RETENTION: 6 years after case closed, or 0 after any minor involved attains age 21, whichever is later
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of significant cases which have importance or which set major legal precedents. For instance, local governments may wish to permanently retain files for cases concerning major local controversies, issues, individuals and organizations which are likely to be the subject of ongoing research or which result in decisions or rulings of major significance to the local government or community or to the entire State. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area. In addition, local governments may wish to retain the complaint and release for routine cases longer for convenience of reference.
2.[46]Legal brief file (“brief bank”) containing duplicate copies of legal briefs from case files, retained separately for future reference:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A3.[47]Legal case log giving chronological listing of cases:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
4.[48]Legal case index, including notations on activities related to case:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
5.[49]Subject file assembled and kept for reference purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
6.[50]Indigent defendant screening records documenting investigation of defendant's need for public defender, including case investigations and master summary record of court assignments and subsequent investigation:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Building and Property Regulation
BUILDING AND PROPERTY REGULATION
BUILDING/PROPERTY HISTORY SYSTEMS
NOTE: Some municipalities in the State use automated systems to keep track of various functions of their offices regarding building and property regulation. These systems, which we are referring to generically as “Building/Property History Systems,” contain information in such areas as planning, zoning, building permits and inspections, fire safety, code enforcement, violations and complaints. In general, these systems do not replace existing hard copy-based systems, but do create some of the forms and other paper records in these files. In addition, these systems contain data files and other electronic records not found in manual systems. The items below are meant to cover not only electronic records contained in these automated systems, but also maps, reports and other system output maintained in both traditional hard copy and electronic format as well.
More importantly, these systems often contain summary information on various municipal activity regarding a specific building and/or parcel of real property. The building/property history data file, listed below, may contain retrospective information on building permit issuance, building inspection, certificate of occupancy issuance, site plan review or other planning actions, zoning variances, special use permits and fire inspections for a single parcel of property over a period of time.
A1.[657]Building/property history data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, created for informational and reference purposes, containing information on such areas as building permit issuance, building inspection, certificate of occupancy issuance, site plan review or other planning actions, zoning variances, special use permits and fire inspections:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of these building/property history systems for all parcels of property in the municipality. This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community, urban planning and architectural history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary data on individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed records maintained in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A2.[658]Street address/parcel number authority data file, used to supply building/property history system with accurate, up-to-date information on real property tax parcel numbers, property owners' names and addresses, parcel sizes, E-911 or other street addresses, and other essential data necessary for system to operate:
RETENTION: Retain until superseding or updated filed received
NOTE: This data is often received from an assessor's or tax office. See items covering real property data systems in the Taxation and Assessment section.
A3.[659]Lists, reports, studies, queries, searches for information, special project records and analyses created from data contained in one or more data files in building/property history system
a. Final reports and studies resulting from analysis of system data, including background materials and supporting documentation containing significant information on real property and structures located thereon, used for such purposes as long-range planning, change of zoning boundaries and regulations, or planning infrastructure improvements or new facility construction:
RETENTION: 6 years after project completed, or after date of final entry in record
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records for important projects have historical value and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Reports and studies resulting from analysis of system data, including background materials and supporting documentation, queries, searches for information, lists, logs or other internal information records, containing routine information on real property and structures located thereon, or used to produce final reports and studies:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Queries conducted in automated systems are not considered “records” unless the query and/or its results are saved in electronic or manual format. See also related items in the Electronic Data Processing section.
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (REGULATION AND INSPECTION)
NOTE: Applications for permits necessary for connection to public water supply system or municipal sewer, for individual water supply or sewage disposal system, for groundwater drainage, and for soil or stream disturbance or realty subdivision construction, are found in the Environmental Health section of this Schedule. For additional records dealing with historic preservation, see item no. 336 in the Miscellaneous section.
1.[58]Master summary record, including index, log or journal, covering building code complaints, inspections, investigations, and violations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[59]Housing maintenance or building inspection records, including but not limited to complaints, inspection reports, notice of violation, cumulative building inspection record, appeal or review and final disposition of case
a. For school, public building, multi-family dwelling, commercial or industrial structure, or hazardous structure:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer exists, but not less than 21 years
b. For single-family home:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry in record
NOTE: Building inspection records relating to building permit issuance are covered by item no. 60, below.
AA3.[917]Fire safety inspection records
a. Master summary record of inspections performed:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Report on inspection at school, public building, multi-family dwelling, or commercial or industrial facility and notice of violation:
RETENTION: 21 years
NOTE: If fire safety inspection records are combined or interfiled with building inspection records, use item no. 59a, immediately above.
c. Report on inspection of single-family dwelling and notice of violation:
RETENTION: 6 years
A4.[660]Building inspection data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, created for informational and reference purposes, containing information on building inspections not related to building permit issuance, certificate of occupancy issuance, fire inspections, and other relevant detailed information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of this building inspection data for all parcels of property in the municipality, unless that data is preserved by the building/property history system overall summary data file (see item no. 657, above.) This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community, urban planning and architectural history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary building permit data on individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed building permit records in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A5.[60]Building permit and certificate of occupancy issuance records
NOTE: Building permit files often contain plans, sketches, photographs, and other records that provide valuable information on individual structures. These records may have continuing value for historical or other research, and SARA suggests they be retained permanently.
a. Master summary record of applications for building, plumbing, electrical, demolition or related permits, or for certificates of occupancy granted:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Log or other chronological list recording permits or certificates of occupancy issued:
RETENTION: 1 year after last entry in record, or 1 year after posting
c. Building, plumbing, electrical, demolition or related permit file, including application and supporting materials; plans, maps and drawings; specifications; inspection reports; copies of all required permits and approvals; affidavit of compliance or completion of work; records of appeal when permit is denied; certificate of occupancy and correspondence
When permit is granted:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer exists
When permit is denied:
RETENTION: 6 years after final decision
When application is discontinued, has lapsed or is incomplete:
RETENTION: 90 days after date of most recent entry in record
For non-structural modifications to shopping mall, office complex or similar structure (modifications not involving changes to fire suppression or alarm system), when permit is granted:
RETENTION: 10 years
NOTE: Certain records covered by this item may be included under item no. 661, below, such as in instances where they are maintained in electronic format and not created as hard-copy output and included in the building permit file. In these cases, the electronic records covered by item no. 661 must be retained as long as specified by this item.
d. Certificate of occupancy and application when not related to building permit application:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer exists
e. Detailed construction specifications submitted as part of building permit application:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of permit or completion of work
A6.[661]Building permit issuance data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, created for informational and reference purposes, containing information on applications for and issuance of building permits, including related inspections, certificate of occupancy issuance, and other relevant detailed information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of this building permit issuance data for all parcels of property in the municipality, unless that data is preserved by the master summary record (see item no. 58, above.) This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community, urban planning and architectural history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary building permit data on individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed building permit records in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
7.[61]Building condemnation and demolition files, including application, copy of permit, correspondence, and notice of condemnation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
8.[62]Contractors' liability insurance records
a. Certificate of insurance or copy of insurance policy:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial or expiration of relevant permit
b. Master summary record of contractors doing business in municipality and their insurance coverage:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
A9.[662]Building complaints/violations records, including data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, containing information on complaint tracking and violation processing, and other relevant information:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: For citizen complaints and requests for services, not covered by items in this section, see item no. 29 in the General section. For sanitary code violations, see item no. 213 in the Environmental Health section.
NOTE: Municipalities should consider longer retention of the basic data elements of this complaints/violations data for all parcels of property in the municipality, unless that data is preserved by the building/property history system overall summary data file (see item no. 657, above.) This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes in conjunction with building permit issuance and building inspection data. Contact SARA for additional advice.
PLANNING
1.[397]Comprehensive plan development file, including but not limited to official copy of comprehensive plan and all background surveys, studies, reports, and draft versions of plan:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[663]Planning action data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, created for information and reference purposes, containing information on mandatory or discretionary planning review, planning projects, and other relevant detailed information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of this planning action data for all parcels of property in the municipality, unless that data is preserved by the building/property history system overall summary data file (see item no. 657, above.) This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community and land use history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary building permit data on individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed building permit records in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice.
3.[398]Planning project or program file for project or program developed by or for planning agency
a. Final report and essential supporting information used to develop report, including but not limited to maps, plans, technical memoranda and environmental impact studies:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background material, including but not limited to notes, memos, worksheets and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[399]Master summary record (log or register) maintained by planning agency to record receipt of planning or zoning reviews and projects, and to record subsequent action taken:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
5.[400]Geographic reference file maintained by planning agency for internal reference purposes, usually arranged by name of government agency or other service organization:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
A6.[401]Mandatory planning review case file for required review of site plan, zoning variance, special permit, change of zoning, subdivision creation or enlargement, municipal planning action, or other required review, including but not limited to maps, plans, sketches, photographs, engineering reports, environmental impact statements and studies, copies of zoning records, project narrative, correspondence, and record of final determination
a. Subdivision, historic structure, major commercial or industrial development, or capital construction, where application is approved or denied (except records covered by part “d”):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Subdivision, historic structure, major commercial or industrial development, or capital construction, where application is withdrawn or abandoned (except records covered by part “d”):
RETENTION: 10 years after last entry
c. Any other mandatory review:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
d. Detailed construction specifications, receipts and transmittal documents, lists of abutting properties, superseded versions of plans and drawings, routine correspondence and internal notes and memoranda from all files:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
e. Informal consultation records, created as a result of informal meeting with prospective applicant, prior to actual submission of application:
RETENTION: 1 year after last entry
NOTE: “Subdivision,” as used in this item, means the division of one parcel of land into two or more lots, blocks, plots or sites.
7.[402]Discretionary planning review case file, including review of planning review cases, Federal or other aid projects, environmental impact or similar studies, or other reviews, including but not limited to application, correspondence, copies of local planning or zoning records, maps, plans, sketches, and other supporting materials
a. When review is carried out, and comments are forwarded by planning agency:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
b. When no comments are forwarded by planning agency:
RETENTION: 1 year after receipt of request to review
ZONING
NOTE: For additional records dealing with historic preservation, see item no. 336 in the Miscellaneous section.
A1.[664]Master summary record (log or register) maintained by zoning agency to record receipt of zoning variance and special use permit applications, change of zoning applications for individual parcels, and other zoning activity, and to record subsequent action taken:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2. [648]Zoning maps, and all updates:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[665]Zoning action data file contained in building/property history system, and related records, created for informational and reference purposes, containing information on zoning variances, special use permits, and other relevant detailed information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of this zoning action data for all parcels of property in the municipality, unless that data is preserved by the building/property history system overall summary data file (see item no. [657], above.) This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community and land use history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary building permit data on individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed building permit records in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A4.[649]Change of zoning records, including application, petition, protest, hearing minutes, preliminary and final reports and correspondence, relating to changes proposed in zoning boundaries or regulations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: Change of zoning records relating to changes in zoning classification for individual parcels of property, not affecting other parcels or larger areas, are covered by item no. 650, below, as if these were zoning variance applications.
A5.[650]Zoning variance or special permit file, including application and supporting materials, hearing results, decision and appeal records
a. For commercial, industrial, historic structure or multi-unit residential variance or permit (except records covered by part “c”):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. For single-unit residential variance or permit:
RETENTION: 25 years after date of last entry
NOTE: Certain single-unit residential variance and permit files may be significant because they set legal precedents and should be retained permanently. Those involving the definition of what constitutes a “family” may be particularly important.
c. Detailed construction specifications, receipts and transmittal documents, lists of abutting properties, superseded versions of plans and drawings, routine correspondence and internal notes and memoranda from all files:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
d. Informal consultation records, created as a result of informal meeting with prospective applicant, prior to actual submission of application:
RETENTION: 1 year after last entry
6.[651]Notification of proposed zoning change, received from adjacent town:
RETENTION: 1 year
7.[652]Zoning ordinance violation records, not related to zoning variance or special permit application
a. For alleged but unfounded violation:
RETENTION: 1 year
b. Violation files:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry in record
c. Master summary record of violations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
Schedule MU-1
 
Cemetery
CEMETERY
1.[63]Record of lot owners, “deed book,” or equivalent record:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[64] Bill of sale issued to purchaser of lots:
RETENTION: 6 years
A3.[65]Informational copy of deed for lot, request for deed to be prepared, or request for copy of deed:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
4.[66]Inscription taken from headstones:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
5.[67]Interment, exhumation or removal records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
6.[68]Maps, plot plans and surveys:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
7.[69]Permit of approval necessary to erect monument or perform other work on cemetery lot, including application and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Civil Defense/Disaster Preparedness
CIVIL DEFENSE/DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
A1.[70]Disaster preparedness or crisis relocation records
a. Official copy of plans, including supporting maps, when prepared by local government under provisions of section 23, Executive Law:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Copies of plans held by local government, including supporting maps, when official copies prepared under section 23, Executive Law, are maintained by county or other local government which created them, along with other disaster preparedness plans, not prepared under section 23, Executive Law, intended for specific buildings or for use by specific local government units:
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded
c. Background materials and supporting documentation used in preparation of plans:
RETENTION: 3 years
A2.[71]Federal surplus property acquisition records:
RETENTION: 6 years after receipt of surplus property
A3.[72]Emergency food storage records:
RETENTION: 3 years
A4.[73]Emergency fuel allocation records, including monthly application/report and detailed fuel allocation records:
RETENTION: 3 years
A5.[74]Disaster response and damage files compiling information on the response of all agencies to a major disaster, including such records as photographs, press clippings, property damage reports, records of emergency response, summary reports of personal injuries, records relating to demolition and new construction, and correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA6.[75]Emergency operating center records covering maintenance and use:
RETENTION: 6 years after center no longer used for civil defense purposes
NOTE: For property acquisition, facility construction and other records covering emergency operating centers and fallout shelters, see the Public Property and Equipment section.
A7.[76]Fallout shelter records
a. Licenses, plans and surveys:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer in existence
b. Listing of shelters:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
Schedule MU-1
 
Community Development/Urban Renewal
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/URBAN RENEWAL
1.[150]Master summary record (log or register) documenting all activity of agency, covering housing rehabilitation, tenant relocation, economic development, property acquisition and resale, special projects and various contacts:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[151]Federal assistance application submitted annually to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or successor agency:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[152]Case files of community development or urban renewal agency
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
a. Economic development case file, including but not limited to application, copy of loan approved or denied, financial statements, progress reports, copies of plans and specifications and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial or invalidation of application or final payment on loan
b. Business or resident relocation case file, including but not limited to vacation notice, income and need determination records, field reports, estimates of expenditures, copies of property acquisition records, rent collection records and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry in record
c. Housing rehabilitation case file, including but not limited to application, notice of denial or approval, contract, grant or loan agreement, copies of real property records, building department records, rental assistance records, specifications, property description, certificate of completion and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of application or completion of project or final payment on loan
d. Property acquisition case file, including but not limited to maps, plans and specifications; rent collection records and copies of tenant relocation records; demolition records; records of property improvements; advertisements of property for sale; bids and records of bid acceptance or refusal; property description; appraisal and eminent domain records and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after sale of property by local government
NOTE: Rent collection records and copies of tenant relocation records need only be retained for 6 years.
e. Property purchase and resale case file, such as F.H.A. or real property tax foreclosure, including but not limited to copies of real property records, foreclosure records, copies of building department records, property description, records of property improvements, advertisement of sale, bids and records of bid acceptance or refusal, copy of sale agreement and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after sale of property by local government
f. Public/community service project case file, including but not limited to project applications, interim financial and progress reports, inspection reports, notes and correspondence, but excluding final reports:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project or denial of application
g. Final reports on public/community service projects:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
h. Photographs, architects' plans and sketches of buildings, streets and urban areas from all case files:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer owned by local government
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some photographs, plans and sketches may have continuing value for architectural, historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
Schedule MU-1
 
Consumer Protection Services
CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICES
CONSUMER PROTECTION
1.[153]Master summary record (log or register) of consumer practice inspections, complaints, violations or other agency activity:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[154]Consumer practice retail establishment inspection report:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[155]Consumer practice complaint file, including complaint, notice of violation, investigation report, record of assessment and collection of fine, or notice of dismissal and related correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
1.[156]Certification of approval (“proof of accuracy”) for sealer's weighing and measuring equipment, issued by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration
2.[157]Sealer's inspection report of weighing or measuring device or of packaged item sold by weight, when no violation is discovered:
RETENTION: 2 years
3.[158]Report on food labelling or advertising, and related correspondence:
RETENTION: 2 years
4.[159]Log or index of inspections performed and/or other activities of sealer of weights and measures:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
5.[160]Program evaluation or audit of sealer of weights and measures, conducted by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:
RETENTION: 6 years
6.[161]Violation files, including inspection report, notice of violation, notice of correction of inaccuracy, fine collection record and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years
A7.[666]Calibrations for bulk milk holding tanks and other volumetric measures:
RETENTION: 2 years after recalibration completed or volumetric measure no longer in use
Schedule MU-1
 
Dog Identification and Control
DOG IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL
1.[162]Master summary record, index or listing
a. Master summary record, such as index registry, of dog, purebred, or kennel licenses granted or license applications:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
b. Renewal list, non-renewal list, population list, or other listing supplied by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
c. Enumerator's list of owners or harborers of dogs, prepared by local government offices, including billing for enumerator's services and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years
A2.[163]Copy of original or renewal license for dog, purebred license (including application and renewal license), or dealer's exemption certificate:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration
3.[164]Affidavit for spayed or neutered dog or veterinarian's certificate:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
4.[165]Records relating to replacement of dog tag or purebred ID tag:
RETENTION: 1 year
5.[166]Records relating to the audit of dog and purebred licenses, tags and validation stickers by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, or to the disposal of licenses or tags:
RETENTION: 3 years
6.[167]Reports
a. Report on dog or purebred licensing or license sales:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Municipal compliance report, sent to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on dog identification and control:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Notification sent to New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets of dog or purebred license fee established by local government:
RETENTION: 0 after superseding notice is filed, but not less than 6 years
7.[168]Affidavits and other records required prior to 1980 as part of dog licensing procedure:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: This does not include affidavit for spayed or neutered dog or assessor's affidavit regarding claim for damages caused by dog. See item nos. 164 and 170.
A8.[169]Records relating to dangerous dog or other animal, to their seizure, or to cruelty to animals:
RETENTION: 20 years, but not less than 6 years after death of animal (if death is known to have occurred)
9.[170]Records relating to claim for damages caused by dog or by rabies to domestic animals, including appraisal report, certificate of claim, assessor's report and affidavit, and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
10.[171]Animal shelter records
a. Master summary record (index, log or intake record) covering all animals held by shelter:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
b. Individual animal disposition record, covering redemption, adoption or euthanasia of seized animal:
RETENTION: 3 years
11.[172]Notice of violation of animal control law or ordinance:
RETENTION: 3 years
A12.[667]Reports of rabies vaccinations, forwarded by clinic, veterinarian or animal shelter to municipality:
RETENTION: 3 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Economic/Industrial Development
ECONOMIC/INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
A1.[173]Business/industry loan case file, including but not limited to loan application and evaluation, status reports, records of loan payments, tax abatement and exemption records, feasibility studies and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of application or 6 years after final payment on loan
2.[174]Master summary record (log or register) documenting contacts and inquiries and resulting responses and actions taken by agency personnel:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
Schedule MU-1
 
Election
ELECTION
A1.[175]Voter registration records, including register of voters and pollbook
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition, especially when not duplicated at a county board of elections. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Even though certain voter registration records are retained permanently by county boards of elections, municipalities and districts may wish to retain these records longer, if not permanently, for convenience of reference and for research purposes, if they contain information not found at county boards. See also item no. 186, below. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
A2.[176]Vote recording and tabulating records
a. Sample ballot:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Voted ballot:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
c. Application for absentee ballot:
RETENTION: 30 days after election
d. Final election results, including election inspectors' return and statement of canvass (where information is not duplicated in report of final election results) and election result reports from town, city, village, or district clerk, or county board of elections:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
e. Intermediate records used to compile final election results, including tally sheets, voting machine tabulation, detailed breakdown of results by wards or election districts and election inspectors' returns and statements of canvass (where information is duplicated in report of final election results):
RETENTION: 1 year after election
3.[177]Election readiness records, including certification of testing of voting machines, record of ballot delivery, or similar records:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
4.[178]Election officials' appointment records, including notice of appointment, oath of office, and record of service:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
5.[179]Notification and publication of notice of forthcoming election
a. Official copy of election notice:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Proof of publication or posting, certification and listing of notice posting, copy of newspaper notice and certification of offices to be voted for at forthcoming election:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
A6.[180]Referendum records, covering any question, recall or special election, including but not limited to actual petitions, records of signature verification and correspondence
NOTE: Certain records documenting establishment, incorporation, annexation, consolidation, dissolution or charter revision must be retained permanently; see item no. 334 in the Miscellaneous section.
a. Summary records documenting request or need for referendum, such as records of public hearing, narrative justification accompanying petition, reports and correspondence dealing with pros and cons of issue at question:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other referendum records, including actual petitions, records of signature verification and routine correspondence:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
A7.[181]Election officials' training and qualifications records:
RETENTION: 3 years
8. [182]Candidate designation or nomination records, including petitions, certificate, declination of nomination, objection to nomination, and related records:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
9.[183]Certificate of acceptance of office:
RETENTION: 1 year after person leaves office
A10.[184]Election challenge or investigation records:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records which document significant investigations and challenges to election results may possess historical value and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A11.[185]Records of election financing and/or campaign receipts, contributions and campaign expenses, including attached copies of political advertisements and literature, including but not limited to report of campaign receipts and expenditures, waiver of report, party committee's designation of treasurer and depository and statement of authorization or non- authorization by candidate:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Campaign financing is a major public policy issue. Therefore, SARA preserves State-level campaign finance records and the New York City Board of Elections preserves City campaign finance records. Preservation of these archival records will maintain vital evidence for future research about campaign financing. County boards of elections have the option to preserve these financing statements longer than five years if they find the need to do so. Likewise, villages and other local governments may wish to preserve all or some campaign finance records beyond the five-year minimum in those instances where the elections involved are hotly contested and serious local issues are involved. Contact SARA for more advice if necessary.
12.[186]Informational records received from county board of elections, including lists of election officials, enrollment or registration lists, district maps and instructional materials:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: While official copies of these records are maintained by the county board of elections, some of these records contain important information relating to local elections and may be retained permanently for future research and documentation of local elections.
Schedule MU-1
 
Electric and Gas Utility
ELECTRIC AND GAS UTILITY
1.[187]Operational permit records, including application, copy of permit and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of application or expiration, renewal or revocation of permit
A2.[188]Construction, modification, demolition or retirement records for electric or gas production plant and transmission and distribution system, including but not limited to detailed construction specifications and other supplementary documentation, progress and completion reports, work orders, memoranda, worksheets, records of inspection and work evaluation and correspondence:
RETENTION: 10 years after retirement of plant or system
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Significant records deriving from the construction, retirement or other major changes in municipal power facilities may have long-term value deriving from and relating to the importance of these facilities in the community and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
3.[189]Gas and electric utility reports
a. Station or system power generation report:
RETENTION: 25 years
b. Station or system inspection report, including operating tests:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Inspection and repair reports on street openings, such as for correcting gas leaks:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Analysis of gas produced and purchased, including BTU and sulfur content:
RETENTION: 6 years
e. Gas measuring records:
RETENTION: 3 years
f. Gas pressure department reports:
RETENTION: 3 years
4.[190]Substation, transformer, pole, tower or generator records, or records of other specific component part of system, including sketches and measurements; and installation, maintenance and discontinuance information:
RETENTION: 6 years after component part replaced or its use discontinued
NOTE: All records relating to any gas pipeline designed to operate at 125 PSIG or more must be retained as long as that pipeline remains in service, per section 255.17(b) of 16 NYCRR.
5.[191]Log book of electric or gas plant or any part of electricity or gas production, transmission and distribution system:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
6.[192]Charts, graphs and related data recording records
a. Summary chart, graph or equivalent record compiled from records of original entry showing long term trends and developments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Recording chart or other record of original entry, including load curve; and temperature, pressure, specific gravity or water level chart:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Gas measuring records, when information is transferred to summary record:
RETENTION: 6 months
d. Gas measuring records, when information is not transferred to summary record:
RETENTION: 1 year
e. River flow data collected in connection with hydro-electric plant operation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
7.[193]Municipal lighting records, including but not limited to installation, repair, inspection and replacement records for street lights and other lighting devices:
RETENTION: 6 years after device no longer in use
8.[194]Subsidiary ledgers or journals of electric or gas utility:
RETENTION: 50 years
9.[195]Service interruption records, including but not limited to storm damage, downed and severed power lines, circuit overloading or other related power failure or transmission problem, or apparatus failure reports for gas utility:
RETENTION: 6 years
10.[196]Board of Fire Underwriters' certificate:
RETENTION: 3 years
11.[197]Records of electric or gas meter tests:
RETENTION: 2 years after subsequent test conducted, but not longer than 6 years
12.[198]Electric or gas meter history records:
RETENTION: 0 after meter no longer in use
Schedule MU-1
 
Electronic Data Processing
ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
A1.[668]Data processing unit subject files, correspondence, memoranda, reports, publications, and related records used to support the administration of data processing services. This item does not include local government IRM plans, long-range or strategic plans, EDP and IRM policies, records that document fiscal transactions, and any records covered by other items in this schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
AA2.[669]Information resources management and data processing services plans, local government IRM plans, data processing services plans, strategic plans, and related records used to plan for information systems development, technology acquisitions, data processing services provision, or related areas
a. Master copy of plan and essential background documentation:
RETENTION: Retain for 3 planning cycles after the plan is completed, superseded, or revised
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Some of these records may document the development and advancement of technology used by the local government. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
b. Copies, drafts, and routine material:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A3.[670]Data processing policies, records of data processing policies including those covering access and security, systems development, data retention and disposition, and data ownership:
RETENTION: 3 years after policy is withdrawn, revised, updated, or superseded
A4.[671]Data processing product/vendor and State contracts reference files, information on data processing equipment, software, and other products and their vendors:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed for reference
SYSTEMS AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
A1.[672]Application development project files, records created and used in the development, redesign, or modification of an automated system or application including project management records, status reports, draft system or subsystem specifications, draft user requirements and specifications, and memoranda and correspondence. This item does not cover system or application documentation (see items no. 673 and no. 674):
RETENTION: 3 years after completion of project
NOTE: In some circumstances, local governments may wish to maintain these files longer for reference. All relevant information and final documentation should be contained in system and application documentation files (see items no. 673 and no. 674).
A2.[673]Data systems specifications, user and operational documentation describing how an application system operates from a functional user and data processing point of view including records documenting data entry, manipulation, output and retrieval (often called “system documentation records”), records necessary for using the system, including user guides, system or sub-system definitions, system flowcharts, program descriptions and documentation (or other metadata), job control or work flow records, system specifications, and input and output specifications. This item does not cover data documentation and other records used to explain the meaning, purpose, or origin of data (see item no. 674):
RETENTION: 3 years after discontinuance of system, but not before system data is destroyed or transferred to new operating environment
A3.[674]Data documentation, records generally created during development or modification and necessary to access, retrieve, manipulate and interpret data in an automated system including data element dictionary, file layout, code book or table, and other records that explain the meaning, purpose, structure, logical relationships, and origin of the data elements (sometimes known as metadata):
RETENTION: 3 years after discontinuance of system or application but not before system's or application's data is destroyed or transferred to a new structure or format
NOTE: In some cases, local governments will retain data for extended periods, sometimes off-line. It is essential that they retain related documentation in an accessible format. This is particularly crucial if the documentation is stored in electronic form or the related records are appraised as archival. Application design documentation and user guides covered by item no. 673 may also serve to explain how data was interpreted and used. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
A4.[675]Automated program listing/source code, automated program code which generates the machine-language instructions used to operate an automated information system:
RETENTION: Retain for 3 system update cycles after code is superseded or replaced.
NOTE: This item coincides with item no. 682, system backup files. It assumes that the files are maintained (backed-up) and disposed in accordance with accepted data processing practice; i.e., that 3 generations of backups be retained (see item no. 682).
A5.[676]Technical program documentation, paper copy of program code, program flowcharts, program maintenance log, system change notices, and other records that document modifications to computer programs:
RETENTION: 1 year after replacement, modification, or related programs cease to be used
NOTE: Local governments may consider retaining documentation for critical systems for a longer period. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
A6.[677]Test database/files, routine or benchmark data sets, related documentation, and test results constructed or used to test or develop a system:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed, but not before user accepts and management reviews and approves tests results
COMPUTER OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
A1.[678]Data processing operating procedures, records of procedures for data entry, the operation of computer equipment, production control, tape library, system backup, and other aspects of a data processing operation:
RETENTION: 3 years after procedure is withdrawn, revised, updated, or superseded
A2.[679]Data processing hardware documentation, records documenting the use, operation and maintenance of a local government's data processing equipment including operating manuals, hardware/operating system requirements, hardware configurations and equipment control systems:
RETENTION: 0 after the local government no longer uses related hardware and all data is transferred to and made usable in new hardware environment
NOTE: Routine records that do not contain substantial information on the maintenance history or equipment should be destroyed on an annual basis, using item no. 18 in the General section.
A3.[680]Operating system and hardware conversion plans, records relating to the replacement of equipment or computer operating systems:
RETENTION: 1 year after successful conversion
A4.[681]Disaster preparedness and recovery plans, records related to the protection and reestablishment of data processing services and equipment in case of a disaster:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded by revised plan
NOTE: The State Archives recommends that local governments store disaster preparedness and recovery plans in a secure area off-site from the computer installation to which they refer.
A5.[682]System backup files, copies of master files or databases, application software, logs, directories, and other records needed to restore a system in case of a disaster or inadvertent destruction:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 system backup cycles
NOTE: Backups used to document transactions or retained for purposes other than system security are covered by the relevant sections of this schedule. For fiscal systems, monthly system backups are often retained for the entire fiscal year to provide an audit trail, and annual system backups are retained to meet all legal and fiscal requirements in lieu of copies of the individual master files or databases. These records should be disposed using items from the Fiscal section of this schedule. It is advisable that for many application systems 2 or 3 copies of backups be produced during each cycle.
AA6.[683]System users access records, created to control or monitor individual access to a system and its data including but not limited to user account records and password files:
RETENTION: 0 after the individual no longer has access to the system, but not before audit requirements for the records modified by that individual have been met.
NOTE: System users access records and computer usage records may also serve some security purposes.
AA6a.[862]Computer system security records, records used to control or monitor the security of a system and its data, including but not limited to intrusion detection logs, firewall logs, logs of unauthorized access, and other security logs:
RETENTION: 10 years after date of last entry
AA7.[684]Computer usage files, electronic files or automated logs created to monitor computer system usage including but not limited to login files, systems usage files, charge-back files, data entry logs, and records of individual computer program usage:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 system backup cycles
A8.[685]Summary computer usage reports, summary reports and other paper records created to document computer usage for reporting or cost recovery purposes:
RETENTION: 1 fiscal year after creation
A9.[686]Computer run scheduling records, records used to schedule computer runs including daily schedules, run reports, run requests, and other records documenting the successful completion of a run:
RETENTION: 0 after end of current fiscal year
A10.[687]Input documents, copies of records or forms designed and used solely for data input and control when the data processing unit provides centralized data input services and original records are retained by the program unit:
RETENTION: 0 after all data has been entered into the system and, if required, verified
NOTE: Input records retained for fiscal audit or legal purposes, or, containing information needed by a local government, are covered by the relevant section of this schedule. Input records that document valid transactions are covered by item no. 689. Input records which serve a fiscal audit purpose may be covered by items in the Fiscal section of this schedule
A11.[688]Work/intermediate files, records used to facilitate the processing of a specific job/run or to create, update, modify, transfer, export, import, manipulate, or sort data within an automated system, including “macro” or “startup” file or other electronic record created to preserve a combination of data elements and/or method of displaying these data elements
a. When export, import or relational data file is used to supply data to or receive data from other system, or to exchange data between files in this system:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: This data may have secondary value beyond the purpose for which it is created. Consider additional uses for this data in determining when it is no longer needed.
b. When all transactions are captured in a master file, central file, valid transaction file, or database, and the file is not retained to provide an audit trail:
RETENTION: 0 after the transaction is completed
NOTE: This item does not cover intermediate files retained to recreate or document valid transactions, to serve as an audit trail, or needed for system recovery backup.
c. When electronic file is needed to recreate or document a valid transaction, such as creation of a specific report or study:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the reports, studies and other principal records for which the file is created are retained.
NOTE: A local government's ability to recreate or properly document the output may be tied to long-term retention of these records. Contact the State Archives for additional advice regarding the long-term retention of electronic records.
A12.[689]Valid transaction files, records used to update and/or document a transaction in database or master file including valid transaction files, DBMS log, update files, and similar records, and not retained to document a program unit action or for fiscal audit purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 database/master file backup cycles
NOTE: Records used to document a program unit's actions (e.g., receipt of a voucher, issuance of a check), as opposed to a strictly data processing transaction, or needed for fiscal audit or legal purposes, are covered by the relevant sections of this schedule.
A13.[690]Print files (not used to document a transaction), source output data extracted from the system to produce hard copy publications, printouts of tabulations, ledgers, registers, reports, or other documents when the files are not needed for audit purposes or to document program unit transactions:
RETENTION: 0 after all print runs are completed, output verified (if required), and local government has no need to reproduce the report
NOTE: Print files needed for fiscal audits or retained to document transactions are covered by the relevant sections of this schedule.
A14.[691]Audit trail files, data generated during the creation of a master file or database used to validate a master file or database during a processing cycle:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 database/master file backup cycles
A15.[692]Data processing unit's copies of output reports, data processing unit's copy of output reports produced for client program units:
RETENTION: 0 after output is distributed
A16.[693]Summary or extracted data files, summary or aggregate data from a master file or database, including “snapshots” of data, created solely to distribute data to individuals or program units for reference and use, but not altered or augmented to support program-specific needs:
RETENTION: 0 after data is distributed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some snapshots of data, created and maintained as either electronic files saved to disk, tape or diskette, or as hard-copy output such as printed maps, or in both formats, may warrant longer retention. Contact SARA for additional advice on the creation and maintenance of these records.
A17.[694]Finding aids (indexes) or tracking systems, electronic indexes, lists, registers, and other finding aids used only to provide access to the hard copy and electronic records in the custody of the data processing unit:
RETENTION: 0 after the related hard copy or electronic records have been destroyed
NOTE: Finding aids and tracking systems of program units other than data processing units are covered by the relevant sections of this schedule and are frequently covered by the same item covering related program records.
A18.[695]Automated tape library system files, automated records used to control the location, maintenance, and disposition of magnetic media in a tape library:
RETENTION: 0 after related records or media are destroyed or withdrawn from the tape library.
A19.[696]Reports on the destruction of files (“scratch reports”), records containing information on the destruction of files stored on electronic media in a tape library:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or (if required) management review and approval
A20.[697]Tape library control records, records used to control the location, maintenance, and disposition of magnetic media in a tape library including list of holdings and control logs:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
DATA ADMINISTRATION
A1.[698]Data/database dictionary records, usually in an automated system, used to manage data in a local government's information systems including information on data element definitions, data structures or file layout, code tables, and other data attribute information or records that explain the meaning, purpose, logical relationships, ownership, use, or origin of data:
RETENTION: 0 after discontinuance or modification of the related application but not before the applications's data is destroyed or transferred to a new structure or format
A2.[699]Data/database dictionary records, periodic printouts from a data/database dictionary system including data element attribute reports, database schema, and related records used for reference purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: The official copy of essential data documentation is covered by either item no. 674 or no. 698.
USER/OFFICE AUTOMATION SUPPORT
A1.[700]Site/equipment support files, records documenting support services provided to specific data processing equipment or installations including site visit reports, program and equipment service reports, service histories, and correspondence and memoranda
a. Site visit reports, problem and equipment service reports, and routine correspondence and memoranda:
RETENTION: 3 years after creation
b. Service histories and other summary records:
RETENTION: 0 after the related equipment is no longer in use
A2.[701]Help desk telephone logs and reports, records used to document requests for technical assistance and responses to these requests as well as to collect information on the use of computer equipment for program delivery, security, or other purposes:
RETENTION: 1 year after creation
A3.[702]Software review files, records related to the review and recommendations for software for local government use including vendor information, manuals, software reviews, and related material:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
NETWORK/DATA COMMUNICATION SERVICES
A1.[703]Network site/equipment support files, records documenting support services provided to specific sites and computer to computer interfaces on a network including site visit reports, trouble reports, service histories, and correspondence and memoranda
a. Site visit reports, trouble reports, and related correspondence:
RETENTION: 3 years after creation
b. Service histories and other summary records:
RETENTION: 0 after the related equipment or site is no longer in use
c. Routine records that do not contain substantial information on the maintenance history or site:
RETENTION: 1 year
A2.[704]Inventories of circuits, automated or paper records containing information on network circuits used by the local government including circuit number, vendor, cost per month, type of connection, terminal series, software, contact person, and other relevant information about the circuit:
RETENTION: 0 after the circuit is no longer used by the local government
A3.[705]Network or circuit installation and service files, copies of requests by local governments to service provider for data communication service, installation, or repair and response to the request including work orders, correspondence, memoranda, work schedules, and copies of building or circuitry diagrams:
RETENTION: 1 year after request is filled or repairs are made
A4.[706]Network usage files, electronic files or automated logs created to monitor network usage including but not limited to log-in files and system usage files:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 system backup cycles after creation
A5.[707]Network usage reports, summary reports and other records created to document computer usage for reporting or other purposes:
RETENTION: 1 fiscal year after creation
A6.[708]Network implementation project files, local government records used to plan and implement a network including reports, justifications, working diagrams of proposed network, wiring schematics, and diagrams:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
INTERNET SERVICES
A1.[709]Internet services logs, electronic files or automated logs created to monitor access and use of local government services provided via the Internet, including, but not limited to, services provided via a local government gopher site, FTP (file transfer protocol) or World Wide Web site, or via Telnet services:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 backup cycles, but not before relevant audit and documentation requirements have been met
A2.[710]Employee internet use logs, electronic files or automated logs created to monitor and control use of the Internet by employees:
RETENTION: 0 after 3 backup cycles, but not before any appropriate review and verification
Schedule MU-1
 
Energy
ENERGY
AA1.[203]Energy consumption monitoring records showing use of electricity or fuel or operation of heating and/or cooling equipment, or energy audit, when not relating to facility owned or operated by local government:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Energy consumption monitoring records showing use of electricity or fuel, operation of heating and/or cooling equipment, or environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) in various parts of publicly owned or operated building or other facility, is covered by item no. 898 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
A2.[711]Weatherization client case files, covering assistance provided to individuals and families to improve heating efficiency and reduce fuel expenditures, including but not limited to application, income documentation, description of property and work needed to improve heating efficiency, results of energy efficiency testing, description of work performed, copies of fuel bills, fuel information form, landlord agreement, notes and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry
A3.[712]Master listing of clients participating in weatherization program:
RETENTION: 6 years
A4.[713]Annual State plan (final copy) for weatherization assistance program:
RETENTION: 6 years
A5.[714]Status report on clients referred to local subgrantee agency:
RETENTION: 1 year
A6.[715]Interagency referral form, maintained by referring agency:
RETENTION: 1 year
Schedule MU-1
 
Environmental Health
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
NOTE: Records relating to laboratories are listed in the Public Health section, Laboratory subsection. Radiological health records are now found in that section as well. Lead poisoning records are covered by item nos. 463, 464 and 465 in the Public Health section, Miscellaneous subsection.
LOCAL REGULATORY/PERMITTING AGENCY:
ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
AA1.[205]Rabies and animal bite records
a. Antirabies protection certificate:
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Records concerning certification of area for rabies, including but not limited to correspondence, notices, and copy of resolution:
RETENTION: 20 years
c. Investigation records for bite or other potentially dangerous contact with animal, including potentially rabid animal:
RETENTION: 6 years
MISCELLANEOUS
1.[208]Environmental disturbance permit file:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[210]Property acquisition or regulation file documenting acquisition of real property or easements for drainage control or other environmental health purposes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA3.[212]Master summary record of applications relating to realty subdivisions, private water supply, private sewage disposal systems, or hazardous substance (or petroleum) spill, release or investigation records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA4.[209]Spill, release or investigation records covering hazardous substance or petroleum
a. Records of investigation of spill or release of hazardous substance exceeding minimum reportable quantity (as defined in 6 NYCRR, section 597.2, Table 1):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records of investigation of spill or release of hazardous or toxic substance not exceeding minimum reportable quantity (as defined in 6 NYCRR, section 597.2, Table 1):
RETENTION: 7 years after close of investigation
c. Records of investigation of spill or release of petroleum (as defined in 6 NYCRR, section 597.1[7]) exceeding 25 gallons:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
d. Records of investigation of spill or release of petroleum (as defined in 6 NYCRR, section 597.1[7]) not exceeding 25 gallons:
RETENTION: 7 years after close of investigation
AA5.[213]State and local sanitary and related code violation records, including locally enacted regulations, such as "clean indoor air acts"
a. Violation files:
RETENTION: 3 years after violation abated
b. Alleged but unfounded violation files:
RETENTION: 1 year after last entry
c. Master summary record (log or register) of complaints, violations and inspections:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
AA6.[863]Records of minor repairs, enlargements or cleaning of drainage ditches, or in drainage districts, including but not limited to those defined in sections 15-1943 and 15-1945, Environmental Conservation Law:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of completion of work
AA7. [864]Hazardous waste site identification records, including survey of suspected hazardous waste disposal sites, including that created pursuant to section 27-1303, Environmental Conservation Law; copy of State registry listing of sites for a specific jurisdiction; review of registry listings; and determination and notification records for newly identified sites:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA8.[865]Informational copies of reports and studies, received from environmental facilities or from county or State agencies, including copies of reports created pursuant to section 5-1.72 of 10 NYCRR, public health hazard notification, or relating to unsatisfactory water samples, watershed rules violations, and water quality monitoring violations, including testing records and records of action taken by supplier of water to correct violations:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA9.[866]Environmental restoration project records, created pursuant to Subpart 375-4 of 6 NYCRR
a. Application for State assistance; feasibility studies; successful bids; plans, specifications and designs; project description; in-progress and completion photographs; inspection reports; final plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs; structure demolition records; environmental impact statement; annual project statement; copies of project review records; fiscal and other final reports; significant change orders; property disposition records; and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Supplementary documentation, including interim fiscal reports, claims, contracts, vouchers, work orders, memoranda, worksheet, non-significant change orders; routine correspondence, detailed construction specifications and draft or intermediary plans, maps, designs, sketches or drawings:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project or date of most recent entry, whichever is longer
c. Unsuccessful bids, to which contracts are not awarded:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. All records, when project is proposed but not undertaken:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Certain records for environmental restoration projects that are proposed but not undertaken may have research value in documenting property where hazardous substances are located or which is otherwise adversely affected, and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES: GENERAL
AA1.[867]Capital construction or public improvement project file for environmental facility, covering water treatment plant; public water supply system; wastewater treatment plant and disposal system; and solid waste management facility (including landfill gas recovery facility)
a. Feasibility studies; successful bids; plans, specifications and designs; project description; in-progress and completion photographs; construction inspection reports; final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs; environmental impact statement; annual project statement; fiscal and other final reports; significant change orders; retrofitting records; and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: Some draft or intermediary plans, maps, designs, sketches or architectural drawings, or detailed construction specifications may need to be retained permanently under part "a," above, if they document significant changes with long-term fiscal and other implications. Local governments should review these records for these possible uses prior to disposition under part "b," below. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Supplementary documentation, including interim fiscal reports, claims, contracts, vouchers, work orders, memoranda, worksheet, non-significant change orders; routine correspondence, detailed construction specifications and draft or intermediary plans, maps, designs, sketches or architectural drawings:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project or date of most recent entry, whichever is longer
c. Unsuccessful bids, to which contract is not awarded:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. All records, when project is proposed but not undertaken:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Certain records for important environmental facility projects that are proposed but not undertaken may have historical and other research value and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA2.[223]Permit or registration files for construction, operation and maintenance of environmental facility, covering water treatment plant; public water supply system; wastewater treatment plant and disposal system; and solid waste management facility (including landfill gas recovery facility):
a. Permit, application, approval or disapproval; related plans, maps, specifications and engineering drawings; variance from New York State regulations, approval of use of emergency source of water, approval to supply water to or take water from other system, approval of fluoridation process, progress and inspection reports, final and annual reports, summaries of data collected relating to permit issuance, and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Routine correspondence, cover and internal memoranda, draft or intermediary plans, designs and photographs, detailed data that has been summarized in other records, and other records of transitory value:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry
AA3.[225]Component part sketches, measurements, installation, inspection and maintenance records:
RETENTION: 6 years after part replaced or its use permanently discontinued
AA4.[868]Automated operating system records, covering Supply Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or equivalent systems, covering operation, monitoring, problems or emergencies, and maintenance of environmental facility
a. Detailed data collected from sensors or monitors, and detailed reports generated from such data:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Because of the amount of detailed data collected by such systems, such data may only be maintained online for a limited period of time. Some of this data may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements, such as those contained in section 756.2(c), 6 NYCRR. It is recommended that local government environmental facilities store this data offline long enough to meet such requirements. Also, maintenance of a history file (see below) containing the most significant data elements may satisfy these administrative and legal needs.
b. System operation history file, containing significant data and/or periodic data snapshots, generated from detailed system data:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. History files may contain valuable information to document system operation over a period of time. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
AA5.[226]Log or equivalent record containing information such as changes in pressure and level, proportion of chemicals present, operational changes, problems and emergencies, and personal observations
a. Containing summary information collected at periodic intervals and information on significant readings, events or observations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Containing all or routine information collected at frequent intervals:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: If no logs containing summary information are generated, local government environmental facilities may wish to retain all or some records covered by part "b" of this item, for both long-term administrative use and for potential research purposes.
NOTE: Certain inspection logs of solid waste management facilities must be retained for 7 years after date of inspection. See item no. 886, below.
AA6.[227]Charts, graphs and similar records of pumpage, flow, pressure, emissions, temperature, levels of chemicals, and related information
a. Summary records showing long-term trends and developments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records of original entry, containing significant information:
RETENTION: 10 years
c. Records of original entry, containing only routine information with no long-term value:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Some of these records may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements, such as those contained in section 756.2(c), 6NYCRR. Consult your attorney or counsel and the State Department of Environmental Conservation to determine which records, if any, must be retained longer than 1 year.
d. Intermediary records, compiled from records of original entry, but not showing long- term trends and developments:
RETENTION: 5 years
7.[228]Operator qualifications records:
RETENTION: 6 years after disapproval, renewal, or expiration of approval
AA8.[869]Reports, studies or data queries, including those generated from SCADA or equivalent environmental facility operating system (including documentation of macros, queries, and reports), when not covered by specific report items in this section:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise the records for archival value. Reports and studies documenting various aspects of system operation may be valuable for long-term planning and for historical and other research. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA9.[870]Environmental facility alarm, problem and emergency records
a. Narrative records documenting serious problems or emergencies, including charts, graphs, and data necessary to support such records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records documenting minor or routine alarms or problems, including detailed data generated by automated systems when certain parameters are exceeded:
RETENTION: 5 years
c. Contingency or similar plans to deal with emergency situations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES: PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
AA1.[229]Permit, approvals, and related records, excluding those related to public water supply system construction or operation, covered by item no. 223, above.
a. Approval necessary for connection to public water supply system:
RETENTION: 6 years after connection no longer in use, or after denial of application
b. Waiver or variance from mandatory disinfection or other requirements:
RETENTION: 5 years after superseded or invalid
c. Permit files for fluoridation plans, backflow prevention devices, fire pump chlorinators, distribution of bottled or bulk water, or for interconnecting water systems, where local government agency issues permit:
RETENTION: 6 years after cessation of operation or denial of application
d. Informational copies of permit records for fluoridation plans, backflow prevention devices, fire pump chlorinators, distribution of bottled or bulk water, or for interconnecting water systems, where State Department of Health issues permit:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA2.[230]Reports and studies relating to plant, system or facility operation
a. Annual and final reports (including annual report submitted to Federal Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]), comprehensive water supply study and report, special studies and detailed reports, including facility inspection reports, reports on watershed rules and rules violations, sanitary surveys, comprehensive performance evaluations, environmental facility monitoring, overall operational reports and reports of emergencies, containing summary or detailed information of long-term value:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Reports and studies covering routine information only, not covered by other item in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. Monthly operational report submitted to New York State Department of Health:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Appraise the records for archival value. Reports and studies documenting various aspects of system operation may be valuable for long-term planning and for historical and other research. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
d. Records relating to water quality monitoring violations, watershed rules violations or unsatisfactory water samples, and major changes in aquifer or watershed, including test results and records of corrective actions taken:
RETENTION: 5 years after superseded
NOTE: Appraise these records for long-term uses prior to disposition, warranting longer, if not permanent, retention. These records may be useful in the future in documenting cases of serious drinking water contamination. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A3.[716]Water systems periodic operation reports, created pursuant to 10 NYCRR, section 5-1.72(d) and forwarded to county health department or regional office of New York State Department of Health
a. Report of microbiological sample results (copy retained by supplier of water):
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Report of surface water systems, showing chemical and turbidity analyses (copy retained by supplier of water):
RETENTION: 10 years
AA4.[231]Reports not relating directly to system or treatment facility construction or operation
a. Operational and testing records for fire pump chlorinator, backflow prevention device, where local agency issues permit:
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Informational copies of operational and testing records for fire pump chlorinator, backflow prevention device, where State Department of Health issues permit:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. Report of bottled or bulk water distribution:
RETENTION: 3 years
d. Small privately owned water system detailed evaluations, including sanitary surveys and comprehensive performance evaluations:
RETENTION: 10 years after superseded
e. Interstate water carrier reports and other records:
RETENTION: 0 years
AA5.[871]Automated hydrological monitoring system records, covering system infrastructure, system service area or aquifer
a. Detailed data collected from sensors or monitors (both collected by this system or obtained from another source, such as a SCADA system), and detailed reports generated from such data:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Because of the amount of detailed data collected by such systems, such data may only be maintained online for a limited period of time. Some of this data may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements. In some cases it may be necessary to maintain this detailed data as long as reports or studies based on the data are retained. It is recommended that local government environmental facilities store this data offline long enough to meet such requirements. Also, maintenance of a history file (see below) containing the most significant data elements may satisfy these administrative and legal needs.
b. System operation history file, containing significant data and/or periodic data snapshots, generated from detailed system data:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. History files may contain valuable information to document system operation over a period of time. In some cases it may be necessary to maintain this detailed data as long as reports or studies based on the data are retained. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
AA6.[872]Reports, studies, analytical models or data queries, generated from hydrological monitoring system (including documentation of macros, queries, and reports), when not covered by specific report items in this section:
a. Reports and studies documenting major system operational capabilities and proposed modifications, long-range water use planning and aquifer or watershed protection, and/or for long-term planning, for historical and other research, or leading to major future capital expenditures:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Report and studies of short-term or transitory value, containing incomplete or otherwise invalid data, or drafts generated in the process of creating reports and studies covered by part "a," above:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA7.[873]Water supply emergency plan, prepared pursuant to section 1125, Public Health Law and section 5-1.33 of 10 NYCRR, including revisions and review records
a. Copy maintained by public water supplier:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Copy held by local health agency:
RETENTION: 5 years after superseded
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES: WASTEWATER TREATMENT
AA1.[874]Permit, approvals, and related records, excluding those related to system or treatment facility construction or operation, covered by item no. 223, above, or those relating to receiving significant industrial or high-discharge users, covered by item no. 875, below.
a. Approval necessary for connection to wastewater disposal system:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial or approval
b. Permit for septic tank cleaner or industrial waste collectors to deliver waste to treatment facility:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA2.[875]Records relating to receipt and pretreatment of significant industrial or other high-discharge waste
a. Permits for discharge of effluent into wastewater treatment system and related records, such as copies of SPDES permits issued to waste generator, discharge monitoring reports, detailed intake records, and laboratory test results:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial, renewal, or expiration of permit
b. Summary records of waste received for treatment, including records relating to waste received that exceeds acceptable volume or content parameters:
RETENTION: 20 years
NOTE: Certain records covered by parts "b" and "c" relating to significant industrial or other high-discharge waste generation and disposal may warrant longer, if not permanent, retention, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
c. Survey or similar records of significant industrial or other high-discharge waste generators in an area served by a specific wastewater treatment facility:
RETENTION: 5 years after superseded or obsolete
AA3.[876]Reports and studies relating to plant, system or facility operation
a. Annual and final reports (except annual report submitted to Federal Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]), comprehensive wastewater study and report, special studies and detailed reports, including facility inspection reports, sanitary surveys, environmental facility monitoring, overall operational reports and reports of emergencies, containing summary or detailed information of long-term value:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Annual report submitted to Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also known as "503 report":
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: As a rule this report does not contain as useful information as do the monthly discharge and operation reports, covered by part "d," below. However, facilities which include more information in this report may wish to retain these reports longer, even permanently, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
c. Filter inspection reports (such as sieve analysis) for wastewater treatment system:
RETENTION: 5 years
d. Monthly discharge monitoring and operation reports, submitted to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in conjunction with SPDES permit requirements:
RETENTION: 5years after facility no longer in use
NOTE: Appraise the records for archival value. Data contained in these reports may be valuable for long-term planning and for historical and other research, warranting permanent retention of these records. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
e. Septic tank cleaner or industrial waste collector reports and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years
f. Reports and studies covering routine information only, not covered by other item in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA4.[877]Records relating to sludge, biosolids, unprocessable solids or other waste byproduct produced as a result of wastewater treatment process, including both detailed records of waste byproducts generated, including laboratory test results and individual load transfer records, and summary records of waste byproducts produced (including unprocessable solids) and disposed of by facility:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Certain records relating to sludge, biosolids, unprocessable solids or other waste byproduct produced as a result of wastewater treatment process may warrant longer, if not permanent, retention, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
AA5.[878]Records relating to leachate received from solid waste management facilities for processing, including both detailed records of leachate received, including laboratory test results and individual load delivery records and summary reports and other records of leachate received and disposed of:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Certain records relating to leachate received from solid waste management facilities for processing may warrant longer, if not permanent, retention, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
AA6.[879]Co-composting records, including but not limited to testing records for materials used and product generated, and marketing and distribution records, including both detailed records, including laboratory test results and individual load delivery records and summary reports and other records of materials used and compost generated and its distribution:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Certain records relating to co-composting may warrant longer, if not permanent, retention, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
NOTE: Records relating to co-composting facilities are covered in the Environmental Facilities: Wastewater Treatment subsection, immediately above.
NOTE: Records relating to disposal of sludge, biosolids, unprocessable solids or other waste byproduct produced as a result of wastewater treatment process, are covered by item no. 877, above. Records relating to public educational recycling programs are covered by item nos. 11 and 12 in the General section.
AA1.[880]Permit for use of solid waste management facility by business or resident of local government:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial or expiration of permit
AA2.[881]Reports and studies relating to plant, system or facility operation
a. Annual summary reports, final reports, special studies and detailed reports, including facility inspection reports, environmental facility monitoring, overall operational reports and reports of emergencies, water quality records, containing summary or detailed information of long-term value:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Quarterly or monthly or operational reports, including reports of exceedances generated by resource recovery facilities and condensate sampling reports of landfill gas recovery facilities:
RETENTION: 10 years
NOTE: Appraise the records for archival value. Reports documenting various aspects of system operation may be valuable for long-term planning and for historical and other research. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
c. Detailed tonnage or similar reports (including summary reports or other records generated from individual load delivery records) which contain significant information, for solid waste management facility:
RETENTION: 10 years
d. Monthly discharge monitoring and operation reports, submitted to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in conjunction with SPDES permit requirements, for use of water as coolant, including thermal water temperature data:
RETENTION: 5 years
e. Reports and other records of unauthorized waste collected and its final disposition, created pursuant to section 360-1.14 (i-1), 6 NYCRR:
RETENTION: 5 years
f. Reports and studies covering routine information only, not covered by other item in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA3.[232]Hazardous waste collection and disposal records
a. Summary reports and other records of substances and quantities collected and disposed of by outside transfer:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Individual load delivery and other detailed records, including manifest form:
RETENTION: 10 years
NOTE: Certain records covered by part "b" may warrant longer retention for legal and administrative reasons, because of the toxic nature of materials collected and transported for disposition at another site. Contact your attorney or counsel to determine if longer retention of these records is necessary.
c. Contract for removal of materials collected, along with related performance bond or certificate of insurance:
RETENTION: 6 years after superseded or invalid
NOTE: For local governments which generate hazardous waste but do not operate programs to collect and dispose of hazardous waste, see item no. 918 in the Public Property and Equipment section for records covering hazardous waste generation.
AA4.[233]Individual load delivery records for solid waste management facility (including materials recycling facility - MRF), including "scalehouse" information records
a. Individual load delivery records for residential waste:
RETENTION: 6 years*
b. Individual load delivery records for other than residential waste:
RETENTION: 10 years*
c. Summary reports and other records created from individual load delivery records:
RETENTION: 10 years
*NOTE: The individual load delivery records may be disposed of after 1 year, providing the summary records created from them contain sufficient information on the date of disposal, name of the generator, transporter and disposer of the waste, types and quantity of waste disposed. To ascertain if the summary records suffice to meet requirements of the State Department of Environmental Conservation, contact D.E.C.'s Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials at (518) 402-8660.
d. Reports and studies covering routine information only, not covered by other item in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
e. Automated "scalehouse" data file, containing information on type, weight and source of waste collected and disposed of, as well as billing information:
RETENTION: 10 years after information is superseded or invalid
AA5. [234]Proof of liability insurance coverage (insurance policy, certificate of insurance or equivalent record), and proof of financial assurance for solid waste management facility
a. For landfill:
RETENTION: 30 years after closure of landfill
b. For solid waste management facility other than landfill:
RETENTION: 6 years after closure of facility
AA6.[235]Recycling marketing records, including but not limited to annual, final or summary reports and studies, and background files on markets and materials:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Routine marketing reports and other records are covered by item no. 881f, above.
AA7.[236]Recycling waste collection annual or summary records and reports, including necessary supporting data:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA8.[882]Records relating to ash, leachate, or other waste byproduct generated and/or disposed of by solid waste management facility
a. Detailed records of waste byproducts generated, including laboratory test results, leaching potential test report and individual load transfer records:
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Summary records of waste byproducts generated and/or disposed of by facility:
RETENTION: 10 years
NOTE: Certain records covered by parts "a" and "b" relating to ash, leachate other waste byproduct generated and/or disposed of by solid waste management facility may warrant longer, if not permanent, retention, for administrative or research reasons. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
AA9.[883]Local solid waste management plan, created pursuant to section 27-0107, Environmental Conservation Law, covering all updates, and including necessary supporting documentation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA10.[884]Research, development or demonstration project or program files, including required permits and related records created pursuant to section 360-1.13, 6 NYCRR, official copy of publications, videotapes, or informational literature prepared as a result of the project, background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after project or program ends
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. If research, development or demonstration projects or programs deal with significant subjects of a scientific or public improvement nature, then certain documentation from these files, such as summary reports and resulting publications, should be retained permanently.
AA11.[885]Self-inspection records of solid waste management facility, created pursuant to section 360-1.14 (f-3) and (i-2), including inspection log:
RETENTION: 7 years from date of inspection
AA12.[886]Landfill closure records, including but not limited to site investigation records, conceptual and final closure plans, environmental and facility monitoring records, close and post-closure registration report, closure construction certification report, and periodic inspection reports
a. All records, except periodic routine inspection reports, routine notes, memoranda, correspondence and detailed data collected as part of project:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Routine notes, memoranda, correspondence and detailed data collected as part of project:
RETENTION: 30 years after date of closure
c. Periodic routine inspection reports:
RETENTION: 7 years after date of closure
Schedule MU-1
 
Environmental Management
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL)
1.[242]Natural resource inventory and listing of open areas and wetlands, including official copy of final inventory or report, final maps, surveys, photographs and background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[243]Environmental quality review records
a. Environmental impact statements and related reports:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation used in preparing statements and reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. In the case of environmental impact statements prepared for major projects, supporting documentation may be very valuable, and the State Archives suggests local government consider retaining these records permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
A3.[244]Environmental protection and natural resources management plan
a. Final plan and report:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Supporting documentation may be very valuable, and the State Archives suggests local government consider retaining these records permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
A4.[717]Fish stocking and other fishery records for lakes and streams
a. Fishery surveys, including detailed collection records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records of fish stocking:
RETENTION: 40 years
c. Other fishery records, including notes and routine correspondence:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A5.[718]Lake, river, stream or watershed study files
a. Final and interim reports and studies, maps, photographs, significant correspondence and essential data collected as part of study:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Notes, drafts, routine correspondence and non-essential data:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA6.[887]Flood control and beach erosion records
a. Flood insurance maps, including all updates:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other records, such as shoreline and flood hazard boundary maps, flood insurance surveys, and storm damage reports, and including records provided local officials by the State Department of Environmental Conservation, but excluding flood insurance maps:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. These records may be valuable for areas in the State where beach erosion and flood control have a major impact. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
Schedule MU-1
 
Fiscal
FISCAL
AUDIT
1.[260]Report of audit of financial affairs
a. Audit filed pursuant to section 35, General Municipal Law, conducted by New York State Comptroller's Office or by an outside auditing firm:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other external audits:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Internal audits, conducted by local government officials:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[261]Audit background documentation, including summaries, posting records, and related records created by an auditing office as part of the auditing procedure:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[262]Audit hearing or review file:
RETENTION: 6 years after audit accepted
BANKING AND INVESTMENT
NOTE: Section 239.7 of the Banking Law contains a 20-year statute that applies to certain records of monies held in any account in a “savings bank” (as defined in section 2.4, Banking Law). While most local governments are prohibited by law from depositing monies in a savings bank, some local governments may have some funds deposited in a savings bank. In these instances, records covered by item no. 264, and possibly items nos. 263, 265, 267 and 268, below, depending on the nature of the account and what information these records contain, may need to be retained for 20 years. If you have funds deposited in a savings bank, and need additional information on this subject, contact the State Archives.
1.[263]Banking communications, including but not limited to bank statement, reconciliation, notification of voiding or return of check, cancellation of payment, or other notice for checking or savings account:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[264]Canceled check, (including payroll check), or other instrument of payment, such as bank check, warrant check, order check, or order to fiscal officer to pay when used as a negotiable instrument, including voided check:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: It is recommended that a list of destroyed unused checks be created and maintained for legal or audit purposes.
3.[265]Copy of check or check stub:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[266]Depository agreement, including designation of depository, bond or surety, or other record relating to deposition of local government funds:
RETENTION: 6 years after agreement, contract, designation, bond or surety has expired or been superseded or rescinded
5.[267]Deposit book for checking account:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of most recent entry
6.[268]Deposit book for savings account:
RETENTION: 6 years after cancellation
7.[269]Deposit slip:
RETENTION: 6 years
A8.[273]Master summary records of bonds, notes, or securities purchased by the government for investment, identifying the security, the fund for which held, the place where kept, and listing the date of sale and the amount realized:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A9.[274]Periodic reports and similar records of yield received from or status of bonds, notes, securities or other obligations purchased for investment:
RETENTION: 6 years after bond issue retired
BONDS AND NOTES
ANOTE: The following records series provide disposition authority for records related to the issuance of bonds, notes or obligations. However, the actual bonds, notes or obligations are not covered by these items. Instead, bonds, notes or obligations may only be destroyed pursuant to section 63.10 of the Local Finance Law. Questions should be addressed to the Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Legal Services, 110 State Street, Albany, NY 12236, (518) 474-5586.
A1.[270]Bond issue preparation file, covering bonds issued by local governments:
a. Master summary record of bonds issued:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other records, including those relating to bond attorneys, preparation of the prospectus, prospectus distribution to bond buyers, bond printing, list of prospective or actual buyers, bond printing bids, bond ratings, and proof of publication of notice of estoppel:
RETENTION: 6 years after bond issue retired
2. [271]Bond or note issue and cancellation register, including information on the type, amount, number of obligations in issue, rate of interest, date of maturity, holders, cancellation of the bond or note, and other pertinent information:
RETENTION: 6 years after cancellation of last bond or note
A3.[272]Debt-contracting power statement filed with Office of State Comptroller before sale of bonds:
RETENTION: 6 years after bond issue retired
A4.[719]Records relating to exclusion of self-liquidating indebtedness by a municipality, including copy of application filed with Office of State Comptroller, notice and proof of publication, and State Comptroller's written certificate:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of certificate
BUDGET
A1.[51]Budget preparation file for budget request or estimate submitted by department head, including but not limited to the preliminary or tentative budget, budget appropriation and staffing requests, estimates of revenues or expenditures, narrative of services, budget message, budget hearing and review files, and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[54]Annual budget
a. Official copy when not included in minutes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. When budget is included in minutes:
RETENTION: 0 after officially recorded in minutes
c. Reporting office copy:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
3.[55]Special budget filed with State or Federal agency:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
4.[56]Budget status report on allocation, receipts, expenditures, encumbrances, and unencumbered funds
a. Cumulative report:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Monthly or quarterly report:
RETENTION: 1 year
5.[57]Budgetary change request, (if not included in minutes) including approval or denial for change in approved budget and including but not limited to transfer of funds from one budget item to another, overtime authorization, or request for supplemental funds:
RETENTION: 6 years
A6.[720]Copies of county, special district or other budgets, received and maintained for informational purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
CLAIMS AND WARRANTS
A1.[275]Claim for payment, (approved or disallowed), including claim, vendor's voucher and bill:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[277]State or Federal-State reimbursement claim file, including but not limited to summary and detail of claim, worksheets and other supporting documents:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[278]Summary record of outstanding or paid warrants or claims:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[279]Notice of claim record and index as required by section 50-f of the General Municipal Law:
RETENTION: 6 years after final disposition of claim
5.[280]Order or warrant to pay monies
a. For any funds held in a savings bank:
RETENTION: 20 years
b. For any funds not held in a savings bank:
RETENTION: 6 years
6.[281]Outstanding warrants listing, including adding machines tapes:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA7.[888]Assignment of claim:
RETENTION: 6 years after satisfaction or 10 years, whichever is less
GENERAL ACCOUNTING AND MISCELLANEOUS
A1.[245]General ledger showing summary receipts and disbursements from all funds and accounts:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. General ledgers containing detailed entries that include information on nature of transaction and parties involved may be valuable in documenting financial transactions involving a local government.
A2.[246]Subsidiary ledger providing details of the general ledger accounts:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: This does not apply to subsidiary ledgers of municipal electric utilities. See item no. 294 in the Electric and Gas Utility section.
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Subsidiary ledgers containing detailed entries that include information on nature of transaction and parties involved may be valuable in documenting financial transactions involving a local government, if this detailed information is not contained in general ledgers.
A3.[247]Journal recording chronological entries of all fiscal transactions:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Journals containing detailed entries that include information on payor, payee and purpose may be valuable in documenting financial transactions involving a local government.
4.[248]Accounting register, including but not limited to check register, transfer of funds register, encumbrance register, and register of claims presented for payment and paid claims:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
5.[249]Cash transaction record showing cash received from collection of various fees and petty cash disbursed:
RETENTION: 6 years
6.[250]Tolls or fares collection record, including but not limited to record of receipts and log of operations:
RETENTION: 6 years
7.[251]Daily cash record, including adding machine tapes, cashier's slips showing daily cash receipts and analysis of cash receipts:
RETENTION: 6 years
8.[252]Notice of encumbrance indicating funds encumbered and amount remaining unencumbered:
RETENTION: 6 years
9.[253]Past due account fiscal records and summaries:
RETENTION: 6 years after account satisfied
10.[254]Intermediary fiscal record of receipts and disbursements, including but not limited to detail record, analysis, proof sheet or trial balance worksheet, and adding machine tapes:
RETENTION: 6 years
11.[255]Abstract of receipts, disbursements, or claims:
RETENTION: 6 years
12.[256]Billing records covering services provided by local government
a. Customer's individual account:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
b. Records used to determine billing and charges including “flat rate” computation record and copies of bills and charge slips:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Billing address records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
13. [257]Bill of sale of property owned by local government other than real property:
RETENTION: 6 years
14.[258]Sales tax records, covering sales tax collected by local governments and transmitted to State Department of Taxation and Finance:
RETENTION: 6 years
15.[259]Tax exemption records, showing that local government is exempt from paying sales, use or other taxes:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
A16. [721]Payment recoupment records, documenting the process of recovering monies paid erroneously by local government to employee, vendor or other payee:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of most recent entry in record
17.[282]Receipt (received) or copy of receipt (issued) other than for payment of taxes:
RETENTION: 6 years
A18.[722]Grant, award or gift files, covering grants, awards and gifts given by local governments to other local governments, not-for-profit corporations, businesses or individuals
a. Master summary record of grants, awards or gifts
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Detailed records of grants, awards and gifts, excluding master summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA19.[723]Credit card records, documenting payments received by credit cards or electronic transactions, including credit card payment receipts, and statements showing amounts of payments received and fees deducted:
RETENTION: 6 years
PAYROLL
NOTE: The copy of payroll, or payroll report, submitted to civil service office for certification or approval, is covered by item no. 385 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, Civil Service subsection.
NOTE: The State Archives does not prescribe the amount of detail and nature of information necessary to be maintained for salary verification for retirement and social security purposes. Contact the Office of State Comptroller or other retirement system to verify that you are maintaining the necessary payroll information.
A1.[345]Payroll, including information on gross and net pay, base pay, taxes, and other deductions
a. Year-end payroll, including detailed information necessary for salary verification for retirement and social security purposes:
RETENTION: 55 years
b. Periodic payroll, including detailed information necessary for salary verification for retirement and social security purposes, when no year-end payroll is maintained or year-end payroll does not contain this required detailed information:
RETENTION: 55 years
c. Periodic payroll not including detailed information necessary for salary verification for retirement and social security purposes:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Warrant authorizing payment of salaries based on a specific payroll, if maintained separate from payroll itself:
RETENTION: 6 years
e. Preliminary draft of payroll:
RETENTION: 0 after warrant authorizing payment of salaries is signed
f. Municipality's information copy of school, fire or special district payroll:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA2.[346]Payroll or related report covering all employees or an individual employee, and not covered by specific item in this section:
a. When needed for audit or other fiscal purposes:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. When not needed for audit or other fiscal purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Local governments may wish to retain records covered by item nos. 346 and 347 longer for social security or retirement documentation purposes.
3.[347]Payroll distribution breakdown record used to distribute or classify labor costs:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[348]Summary record of employee's payroll changes:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
5.[349]Employee's time cards, sheets, or books:
RETENTION: 6 years
6.[350]Record of employee absences or accruals
NOTE: This item does not apply to any employee's time cards or sheets.
a. When not posted to periodic cumulative time summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. When posted to periodic cumulative time summary record:
RETENTION: 1 year
A7.[351]Employee request for and/or authorization given to employee to use or donate sick, vacation, personal or other leave, or to work overtime:
RETENTION: 6 years
8.[352]Record of assignments, attachments, and garnishments of employee's salary
a. When employment was terminated prior to satisfaction:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
b. When satisfied:
RETENTION: 5 years after satisfaction
AA9.[353]Employee's voluntary payroll deduction request form:
RETENTION: 5 years after authorization expires
10.[354]Schedule or other notification from issuing bank showing savings bond purchased for employee:
RETENTION: 5 years after latest bond issue
A11.[355]Employee's personal earnings record used to prove end-of-year total earnings, retirement or other deductions and taxes withheld:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Local governments may need to retain these records longer for social security or retirement documentation purposes
12.[356]Employee's declaration of intention to accept or reject social security:
RETENTION: 10 years after employee dies or reaches age 75, whichever is shorter
A13.[357]Quarterly or other periodic report of wages paid prepared for social security, and report of any adjustments or corrections:
RETENTION: 6 years after year in which wages were reported
14.[358]Copy of Federal determination of error in wage reports (Form OAR-S30 or equivalent record):
RETENTION: 6 years after determination received
15.[359]Payroll report submitted to New York State Employee's Retirement System, Policemen's and Firemen's Retirement System, or any other official pension system:
RETENTION: 6 years
16.[360]Employer's copy of Annual Federal Tax Return (Form 940), Quarterly Federal Tax Return (Form 941E) and Continuation Sheets (Form 941a), Notice of Tax Return Due (Form TY 14), or equivalent forms:
RETENTION: 5 years after tax paid
17.[361]Employer's copy of: U.S. Information Return for Calendar Year (Form 1099), Withholding Tax Statement (Form W-2) or Transmittal of Wages and Tax Statements (Form W-3), or equivalent forms:
RETENTION: 5 years
18.[362]Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate (Form W-4), or equivalent form:
RETENTION: 5 years after a superseding certificate is filed or employment is terminated
19.[363]Employer's copy of New York State income tax records relating to employees:
RETENTION: 5 years after tax was paid
AA20.[724]Direct deposit records, covering direct deposit of employee's salary, including but not limited to application to begin or terminate direct deposit, and transaction log or similar reports:
RETENTION: 5 years after authorization expires
A21.[725]Employee's declaration of intention to decline membership or participation in retirement system or benefit plan, including copy of written notification of options provided employee by local government
a. For retirement system:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
NOTE: Local governments may wish to retain these records for the life of the employee. State legislation in effect between 1993 and 1996 allowed for retroactive retirement system membership, for employees who were not previously offered membership, and the possibility exists that similar legislation may be passed into law in the future. If this occurs, these declarations of non-membership may be valuable for local governments to document intentions of present or former employees.
b. For benefit plan:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
PURCHASING
A1.[559]Purchase order, purchase requisition, or similar record, used to obtain materials, supplies, or services:
RETENTION: 6 years
A2.[561]Purchasing file, including but not limited to bid (successful, unsuccessful), contract and specifications, and related records, for purchase of materials, supplies and services not connected with capital construction:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or termination or 6 years after final payment under contract, whichever is later
NOTE: For capital construction, see item no. 478 in the Public Property and Equipment section and item no. 616 in the Transportation and Engineering section.
3.[562]Vendor file, including but not limited to list of vendors doing business with the local government, vendor evaluation forms, price lists, or other information received from vendors:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
4.[563]Performance guarantee or written warranty for products or similar record:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration
A5.[564]Invoice, packing slip, shipping ticket, copy of bill of lading or similar record used to verify delivery and/or receipt of materials or supplies:
RETENTION: 6 years
A6.[565]Invoice register, or similar record used to list invoices:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
7.[567]List or abstract of purchase orders, claims or contracts:
RETENTION: 6 years
8.[568]Standing order file, used for purchase of materials and supplies which are received on a regular basis:
RETENTION: 6 years
A9.[726]Chargeback records, showing specific fund to be charged for in-house expenditure:
RETENTION: 6 years
REPORTS
1.[283]Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or other periodic fiscal reports, including but not limited to daily funds report, daily cash report, statement of monthly balances, recapitulation of disbursements, and departmental reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[284]Annual or final fiscal reports
a. When report is not included in minutes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. When report is included in minutes:
RETENTION: 0 after officially recorded
3.[285]Fiscal reports from State agencies:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[286]Fiscal report on management of court funds and of securities or depositories in which court funds are invested or deposited:
RETENTION: 6 years
5.[287]Certificate, demand or direction to fiscal officer to pay monies:
RETENTION: 6 years
6.[288]Verification of travel expenses, including but not limited to certificate of accuracy and receipts:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Games of Chance/Bingo/Lottery
GAMES OF CHANCE/BINGO/LOTTERY
1.[289]Licensing and operation file for non-profit organization conducting bingo or games of chance
a. Application for and copy of license, investigation report, correspondence and all related records, except financial reports:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of license or denial of application
b. Financial report submitted quarterly, weekly or at the conclusion of each day's games:
RETENTION: 4 years
c. Annual financial/operational report submitted to municipality:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[290]Authority to license bingo and games of chance delegated to local official by local governing body:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
3.[291]Master license register, summarizing all information on bingo and games of chance operations in municipality:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
A4.[292]Lottery, raffle, or other fund-raising game or event records, except bingo or games of chance:
RETENTION: 3 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Heritage Area
HERITAGE AREA (URBAN CULTURAL PARK)
A1.[727]Management plan for heritage area (urban cultural park), created pursuant to section 35.05, Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law, including description of boundaries of park area, inventory and designation of cultural resources, statement of goals and objectives, identification of types of park uses, identification of properties for potential acquisition, description of exhibits and programs to be undertaken, economic assessment of the park's cost and benefits, description of techniques for preservation of cultural resources, description of organizational structure and schedule for park planning, development and management and State-issued approval
a. Final management plan
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation, including copies of “early action” grant files:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of the records these files may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A2.[728]Application for heritage area (urban cultural park) designation submitted to State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, including response and related correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[729]Visitor center records
a. Proposals, plans and drawings, feasibility studies and real property records
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Visitors registers and patron usage records:
RETENTION: 3 years
A4.[730]Walking and other tour files
a. Maps, brochures, photographs and background research files:
RETENTION: 6 years after tour discontinued
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some maps, brochures and photographs may have continuing value for architectural, historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Notes, correspondence, memoranda, lists of participants and other routine records:
RETENTION: 1 year
A5.[731]Exhibit file documenting planning, construction, and use of exhibit, including but not limited to installation photographs and slides, sketches, worksheets, publicity, brochures, exhibit catalogs, inventory lists, loan agreements and visitor surveys
a. Brochures, exhibit catalogs, installation photographs and slides, and inventory lists:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. All other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after exhibit closed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these records may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A6.[732]Special event file, including but not limited to official copy of any program or promotional literature, or significant photographs of events, and background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these files may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
Schedule MU-1
 
Historian
HISTORIAN
A1.[293]Local historian's records collected in the course of official duties pursuant to section 57.09 of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
a. Records that document significant aspects of the history of the community and its citizens:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records that are collected and maintained for reference purposes or which do not document significant aspects of the history of the community and its citizens:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: This item includes non-government manuscript records collected by the official local government historian. Local government records collected by the historian are covered by other items on this Schedule. Published materials collected by the historian are not considered to be public records.
Schedule MU-1
 
Human Rights/Economic Opportunity
HUMAN RIGHTS/ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
A1.[294]Individual complaint or problem case file of human rights, economic opportunity, equal employment, community relations or similar function, including individual case summary record
a. For case handled at local level (includes cases referred to New York State Division of Human Rights but returned to local agency for adjudication):
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of significant cases handled at the local level. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
b. For case referred to New York State Division of Human Rights:
RETENTION: 2 years after last entry
2.[295]Summary record for individual case and/or master summary record of all cases:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[733]Periodic statistical or narrative activity or progress reports on human rights or economic opportunity office activities:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Periodic reports containing summary information not found in annual reports may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently.
Schedule MU-1
 
Insurance/Self-Insurance
INSURANCE/SELF-INSURANCE
NOTE: Proof of liability insurance coverage must be retained longer for solid waste management facilities. See item 234 in the Environmental Health section.
A1.[296]Insurance (including self-insurance) case records, except workers' compensation case record, including but not limited to notice of claim, copies of filed court documents, accident reports, medical reports, motor vehicle reports, appraisal report, copy of check, correspondence, and other supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after claim closed, but not until any minor reaches age 21, whichever is later
NOTE: The local government may wish to retain the release longer for convenience or reference. Proof of liability insurance coverage must be retained longer to cover claims relating to exposure to asbestos and other toxic substances. Consult your counsel or attorney to ensure that insurance policies and other appropriate documentation are retained as long as needed.
A2.[297]Workers' compensation case records (including Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law) case records
a. If claim allowed:
RETENTION: 18 years after injury or illness, but not less than 8 years after last payment
b. If claim disallowed after trial, or case otherwise disposed of without an award after the parties have been given due notice:
RETENTION: 7 years after injury or illness
NOTE: The employee injury record must be retained for 18 years after date of accident or injury, as required by section 110, Workers' Compensation Law, even for disallowed claims. See item no. 744 in the Personnel/Civil Service section.
A3.[298]Master summary record (log or register) of all (including workers' compensation) claims:
RETENTION: 0 after all claims and/or cases listed in master summary record have been disposed of
A4.[299]Insurance policy covering fire, theft, property damage, personal injury liability, general liability, insurance of life or property, when no outstanding claims are involved:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration, or until the report on examination is filed, whichever is later
5.[300]Workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance policy, when no outstanding claims are involved:
RETENTION: 18 years after expiration
6.[301]Title insurance policy, when no outstanding claims are involved:
RETENTION: 20 years after expiration
A7.[302]Certificate of insurance certifying as to name of insured, type of insurance, limits of liability, date of expiration and policy number, when no outstanding claim is involved, except a certificate of insurance certifying as to a security bond or undertaking:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration
NOTE: For the exceptions mentioned above, see item no. 380 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, item no. 62 in the Building and Property Regulation section, item no. 266 in the Fiscal section, item no. 234 in the Environmental Health section and item no. 478 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
8.[303]Insurance appraisal and/or survey:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
Schedule MU-1
 
Library
LIBRARY
1.[304]Incorporation, chartering and registration records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[305]Accession records:
RETENTION: 1 year after accessioning procedure becomes obsolete
NOTE: Some libraries accession manuscripts, rare books and special collections, but not their general library holdings. In these cases, the accession records need to be retained only for the kinds of materials still accessioned.
A3.[306]Directory of public library system and member libraries, prepared by public library system (member library's copy):
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
4.[307]Borrowing or loaning records, including interlibrary loan:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A5.[308]Catalog of holdings
a. Manuscript or published catalog:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Continuously updated catalog:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
6.[309]Individual title purchase requisition which has been filled or found to be unfillable:
RETENTION: 1 year
A7.[310]Records documenting selection of books and other library materials:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A8.[311]Library material censorship and complaint records, including evaluations by staff, patrons' complaints and record of final decision:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some library censorship records deal with serious constitutional issues and may have value for future research.
9.[312]Patron's registration for use of rare, valuable or restricted non-circulating materials:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Licenses and Permits
LICENSES AND PERMITS
NOTE: Additional license and permit records may be found in the Environmental Health, Dog Identification and Control, Transportation and Engineering, Public Safety, and Building and Property Regulation sections.
1.[313]Master summary record (log or register), of license and permit application and issuance:
RETENTION: 6 years after all licenses or permits listed on records are invalid
A2.[314]Licensing file for person to perform contracting trade (general contracting, plumbing, electrical or similar work) in municipality
a. Original application for license, including performance bond and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or denial of license
b. Renewal records, including renewal application, performance bond and other records, when a fee is charged:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or denial of renewal license
c. Renewal records, including renewal application, performance bond, and other records, when no fee is charged:
RETENTION: 1 year after expiration or denial of renewal license
A3.[315]Business or special event license or permit issuance records, covering home improvement, vendors, peddlers, trash collectors, junk dealers, flea markets, going-out-of-business sales, yard or garage sales, entertainment and recreational events, explosives license records (predating 1971), waiver of open-container law, or other local legislation, and similar permit applications
a. All records in filing, excluding detailed inventories submitted for “closing out” or “defunct business” sales:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of license or denial of application
b. Detailed inventories submitted for “closing out” or “defunct business” sales:
RETENTION: 1 year
4.[316]Trailer, mobile home or trailer park permit records, including application, site plan, copy of permit, copies of environmental health records, fire and building inspection reports:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of application, or expiration or renewal of license
A5.[317]Special franchise files, documenting franchises granted by municipality to public utility, communications, transportation or other corporation, including application, record of negotiations, franchise bonds, consumer surveys, reports and correspondence
a. Special franchise files, other than renewal records:
RETENTION: 6 years after franchise expires
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Special franchise files for public utilities and transportation companies, for instance, may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Renewal record in file, such as renewal application, or performance bond:
RETENTION: 6 years after record becomes invalid or obsolete
6.[318]Notice of intent to apply for or renew alcoholic beverage license submitted by license applicant to municipal clerk:
RETENTION: 2 years
7.[319]Records relating to conservation license, issuance and distribution
a. Annual and monthly reports of licenses sold, monthly summary sheet showing licenses sold, detail allotment sheet and similar records:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Stub, copy or abstract of license retained by municipality:
RETENTION: 2 years
A8.[734]Notification of issuance of license to purchase, own, possess, transport, use, manufacture, sell, or dispose of explosives, also known as “magazine certificate,” issued pursuant to section 458.9, Labor Law, and sent to municipality:
RETENTION: 0 after date of expiration
Schedule MU-1
 
Miscellaneous
MISCELLANEOUS
A1.[320]Ombudsman/referral service records covering citizen complaint services, landlord/tenant advisory services, job placement consultation, handicapped person's assistance, and related services, including but not limited to log or master index, copies of complaints, intakes and referrals, and individual case file materials
a. Relating to other than routine services or activities:
RETENTION: 6 years after final disposition of matter
b. Relating to routine services or activities:
RETENTION: 1 year after final disposition of matter
2.[321]Reapportionment or establishment plan for legislative body, including background materials:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[322]Certificate of population, received from Federal Bureau of the Census, filed with county or municipality after each census enumeration:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
4.[323]Official record of street name and/or street address changes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
5.[324]Military service and militia assessment records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
6.[325]School district records, created prior to consolidation of school districts into centralized districts
a. Basic records documenting the municipality's role in supporting and maintaining the district, including but not limited to school district trustees' minutes; school commissioners' reports; school district “record books”; records of district formation, alteration or consolidation; teacher hiring and salary records; school fund and other accounting ledgers; attendance records; school censuses; district tax rolls or lists; school library reports and book lists; certificates of apportionment; and annual and special reports:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Supporting fiscal and administrative documentation, including but not limited to receipts, warrants and orders to pay, canceled checks, bank statements, and routine correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years
7.[326]District reference file, covering school, (special) improvement, and fire districts
a. Records documenting the establishment, extension, alteration, consolidation or dissolution of district, including but not limited to petition, records of public hearing, correspondence with New York State agencies, maps, surveys, special reports and studies, and photographs:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation, including but not limited to periodic reports, routine correspondence, memoranda and copies of district budgets:
RETENTION: 6 years
8.[327]Public utility gross income tax return, filed with city or village receiving tax payment from utility:
RETENTION: 6 years
A9.[328]Noise level monitoring records, including but not limited to summary records, showing long-term trends and developments and original entry and intermediary records, including charts, graphs and statistics:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of summary records, showing long-term trends and developments, in cases where noise levels are a matter of public concern. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
10.[330]Chattel mortgages and conditional sales
a. Index volume or other master listing of chattel mortgages and/or conditional sales:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Chattel mortgage or conditional sale contract and satisfaction:
RETENTION: 0
11.[331]Out-of-State or other unofficial marriage or birth records, filed with clerk for informational purposes:
RETENTION: 0
12.[332]Surplus food distribution records, covering federally donated food and related commodities, including but not limited to inventory, order form, eligibility determination records, authorizing receipt and reports on storage and distribution:
RETENTION: 4 years
13.[333]Lower income housing rental assistance records (created under section 8 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974)
a. Master summary record (index, log or register) of applications and payments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Case file, including but not limited to applications for assistance, eligibility determination records, certifications, worksheets, correspondence and rental agreements:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial of application, termination of agreement or close of case
14. [334]Governmental establishment and reorganization records, covering establishment, incorporation, annexation, consolidation, dissolution or charter revision, for political subdivision, including but not limited to petitions, special studies and surveys, correspondence with State agencies, records of voter action and reports:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
15.[335]Census records of all regular and special local, New York State and Federal censuses:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
16.[336]Historic preservation records, including but not limited to background files relating to proposed historic preservation legislation, historic district and/or structure designation, records and case files for proposed external modifications to structures with historic designations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A17. [337]Financial or political interest disclosure records, filed by vendor/contractor doing business with the municipality:
RETENTION: 6 years
A18.[338]Minority- and women-owned business files, covering minority- and women-owned businesses doing business with or in the jurisdiction of a local government
a. Summary record listing businesses, eligibility criteria and official government policy statement:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Detailed application/questionnaire/response completed by business:
RETENTION: 5 years after date of most recent entry in record
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. If the local government uses its own rather than statewide criteria for approving these businesses, then these records may document minority-and women-owned business operating in the community.
c. Directory of State-approved minority- and women-owned businesses, supplied by State Department of Economic Development:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
d. Other records, including job quotes, bid lists, referrals, credit and character references and affidavits, but not including summary record, detailed application/questionnaire/response, eligibility criteria and official government policy statement, and State-supplied directory of businesses:
RETENTION: 6 years after contract expiration
A19.[339]Record of gifts and bequests to a local government, including copy of will, copies of deeds, maps and surveys (if applicable) and records of establishment of and use of monies generated by trust fund or endowment
NOTE: This does not apply to donations of real property, which are covered by item no. 475 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
a. When trust fund or endowment is involved:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. For gift of work of art, historical or other artifact or historical manuscript:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
c. For gift or bequest not covered under parts a or b, or by note above:
RETENTION: 6 years
20.[340]List of community college students residing in municipality:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
A21.[735]Certificate of residency issued to person enrolling in a community college, and related records
a. Copy, and related records, retained by municipality which completes certificate:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Informational records received from county clerk:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
22.[342]Local law or ordinance violation records, not related to zoning ordinance violation
a. For alleged but unfounded violation:
RETENTION: 1 year
b. Violation files:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry in record
c. Master summary record of violations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A23.[736]Community service records, showing time worked and type of tasks performed by person sentenced by court to community service:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
AA24.[737]Annual financial disclosure statements, filed by local political party official or candidate for local elected office, pursuant to section 812.1(a), General Municipal Law:
RETENTION: 7 years
AA25.[738]Power generating facility licensing records, covering all records submitted to municipality as part of nuclear power, hydropower, cogeneration or other power facility licensing or relicensing process, including but not limited to maps and plans, construction specifications, reports and studies, copies of applications, copies of court transcripts and environmental data collected as part of application process:
a. Copies held by municipality where facility (or proposed facility) is located:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Copies held by other municipalities in the area, supplied by applicant for informational purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A26.[739]Miscellaneous records, received by local government agency in the course of official business:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records which document the history of the community and its citizens may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. These records may contain valuable information which supplements records created by the local government itself. Records not retained permanently may be offered to a local historical records repository. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
NOTE: Upon the receipt of these non-public manuscript records by a local government agency in the course of official business, these records all become “local government records” subject to this Schedule. Published materials received by a local government are not considered to be public records.
A27.[740]Assumed business name certificates (D.B.A.- Doing Business As) and related materials
a. Assumed business name certificate:
RETENTION: 6 years after discontinuance filed
b. Assumed business name certificate index:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A28.[741]Register of professions, including nurses, midwives, doctors and other professionals:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A29.[742]Notary public and commissioner of deeds appointment records, including but not limited to commission, certificate of official character, certificate of appointment and oath:
RETENTION: 6 years after authorization expires or is withdrawn
A30.[743]Domestic partnership statement, notice of termination, and related records, filed with municipality or county:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA31.[889]Photographs or other visual media records, created by a local government, which are not part of a record series listed elsewhere in this Schedule:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some photographs and other visual media records may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA32.[890]Child abuse or maltreatment reports and related records, reporting agency copy:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: This item covers copies of child abuse and maltreatment reports and related records retained by agencies reporting suspected abuse and maltreatment to the State Central Register or to child protective services units of county social services departments. Reporting agencies may be in such areas as education, youth services and recreation. Reporting copies maintained by law enforcement agencies are covered by item no. 536 in the Public Safety section, Law Enforcement: Miscellaneous subsection.
AA33.[891]Lobbying activity records, including but not limited to registration records, individual reporter designation records, and periodic reports of lobbying activity filed with New York Temporary State Commission on Lobbying:
RETENTION: 3 years
AA34.[892]Project review records, covering projects requiring approval by the Adirondack Park Agency, Lake George Commission, or other government entity or agency, where local government receives records for comment or review, or for informational purposes
a. When permit or other approval must be granted by local government involved:
RETENTION: Retain as long as related building, land use, planning, zoning, or environmental permit or approval records covered elsewhere in this schedule.
b. When no permit or approval by local government is needed, and records are received for comment or informational purposes only:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of most recent entry
Schedule MU-1
 
Museum
MUSEUM
A1.[343]Exhibit file documenting planning, construction, and use of exhibit, including but not limited to installation photographs and slides, sketches, worksheets, publicity, brochures, exhibit catalogs, inventory lists, loan agreements and visitor surveys
a. Brochures, exhibit catalogs, installation photographs and slides, and inventory lists:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. All other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after exhibit closed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these records may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A2.[344]Collections records documenting acquisition, accession, deaccession, loan, conservation, and use of materials, including but not limited to accession register, loan agreement, inventory of collection and conservation treatment record
a. Routine records, including, but not limited to notes and internal memoranda:
RETENTION: 1 year
b. All other collections records
RETENTION: PERMANENT
Schedule MU-1
 
Personnel/Civil Service
PERSONNEL/CIVIL SERVICE
PERSONNEL
A1.[364]Personnel records of local government employees (includes volunteers and interns)
a. Master summary record from personnel case file, including but not limited to age, dates of employment, job titles and civil service status:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Personnel case file materials, except summary information record, and including but not limited to application for employment, resume, report of personnel change, evaluation, civil service examination results, notice of resignation or termination, and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
A2.[365]Investigative records and disciplinary proceedings, including but not limited to statement of charge, transcript of hearing, notice of decision, letter of termination or resignation, letter of reinstatement, record of appeal procedure, and correspondence:
RETENTION: 3 years after final decision rendered
NOTE: Records covered by this item may be destroyed before this retention period has been reached, if specified either in a union contract or settlement between the employer and employee.
NOTE: Affirmative action and related complaints may be covered by item no. 371c, below.
3.[366]Employee's time records covering leave, absences, hours worked and scheduling, and including but not limited to employee's time cards or sheets, request for change of work schedule, vacation schedule, report of absence and request for leave without pay:
RETENTION: 6 years
A4.[367]Annual or other financial disclosure statements, filed by local government employees or officials, pursuant to section 812.1(a), General Municipal Law, or local law:
RETENTION: 7 years
5.[368]Continuing staff education, training and development records, including information on courses of instruction, except public safety training records and those dealing with toxic substance handling training:
RETENTION: 6 years
A6.[369]Administrative organization chart and related records showing administrative and supervisory organization:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A7.[370]Identification card records, when card is issued to local public employee:
RETENTION: 6 months after becoming invalid
A8.[371]Equal employment opportunity report and related records
a. Annual, long-term or special (narrative or statistical) reports, goals and achievements:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Periodic reports, statistics and other records used in compiling annual, long-term or special (narrative or statistical) reports, goals and achievements:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Affirmative action and related complaint investigation records:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of final determination
A9.[372]Health and life insurance records
a. For employee with or without dependent survivor:
RETENTION: 3 years after termination of employee's or dependent survivor's coverage, whichever is later
b. Claim for benefits (copy, where original is submitted directly by employee):
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Health and life insurance coverage reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Declination statement filed by employee:
RETENTION: 6 years after separation from service
10.[373]Unemployment insurance records
a. Claim filed by employee, when claim is approved:
RETENTION: 6 years after final payment
b. Claim filed by employee, when claim is disqualified:
RETENTION: 3 years after filing
c. Claim payment reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
A11.[374]Labor-management meeting records, including minutes of meeting, agenda, reports, and correspondence:
a. Minutes and reports:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Meeting agenda, correspondence, and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years
A12.[375]Public employee contract negotiations records, including but not limited to proposals, summary of proceedings, copies of salary schedules and contracts, P.E.R.B. fact-finding report, and correspondence:
a. All documentation in record, except routine correspondence, routine memoranda and drafts:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Routine correspondence, routine memoranda and drafts:
RETENTION: 1 year
A13.[376]Job action records documenting strikes, work stoppages, informational picketing and other job actions conducted by local government employees, including but not limited to correspondence and memoranda, press clippings, copies of notices of violation, detailed and summary records of employees' participation, and penalties levied upon participants:
a. All documentation in record, except detailed listings of all employees present at various events and other records lacking substantive informational value:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Detailed listings of all employees present at various events, and other records lacking substantive informational value:
RETENTION: 6 years
A14.[377]Public employee grievance records, including but not limited to grievance, investigative records, hearing proceedings, decision rendered by employer, employee appeal, records of arbitration procedure, final decision, and correspondence:
RETENTION: 3 years after grievance is resolved
A15.[378]On-site safety inspection records, including individual inspections and summary of findings:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
A16.[379]Toxic substance exposure records
a. Records of exposure or possible exposure of an employee to a toxic substance or other harmful physical agent, including background data to environmental monitoring or measuring, biological monitoring records which are designated as exposure records, material safety data sheets or chemical inventory records indicating use and identity of a toxic substance or harmful physical agent, and related records:
RETENTION: 30 years
NOTE: Environmental monitoring background data may be destroyed after 1 year provided that sampling results, methodology, a description of the analytical method used, and a summary of other background data relevant to the interpretation of results are retained for at least 30 years, as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1020(d-1)(ii-A).
b. Lists, or material safety data sheets, of toxic substances present in the workplace and of employees who handle those substances:
RETENTION: 40 years after superseded or obsolete
c. Material safety data sheet or fact sheet, providing detailed information on specific toxic or other substance at workplace, when not used for parts a or b, above, as the list of toxic substances (as defined in 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z) in the workplace or for substances not defined in 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z as being toxic:
RETENTION: 3 years after substance no longer present at workplace
NOTE: If material safety data sheets or facts sheets are used for parts a or b, above, as the list of toxic substances (as defined in 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z) in the workplace, then those sheets should be maintained for the time periods indicated by parts a or b.
d. Training records covering training of individual employee in handling toxic substances:
RETENTION: 3 years after separation from service
e. Summary records of toxic substance training, including but not limited to minutes of meetings and training sessions and summary descriptions of training given employees:
RETENTION: 3 years after separation from service of all employees involved
NOTE: This retention may be difficult to calculate in instances where a number of employees have attended the same training. Local officials may wish to retain these summary training records for 60 years or another period sufficient to ensure that all concerned employees have separated from service.
f. Policy statements and procedures issued by local government relative to dealing with toxic substances:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
17.[380]Personal surety bond or undertaking of public official:
RETENTION: 20 years after coverage expires
18.[381]Listing or roster of local government officials or employees, including names, addresses, titles and other pertinent information:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
19.[382]Oath of office or record of official signature of public employee
a. Official copy:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Oath of any election official:
RETENTION: 1 year after election
A20.[383]Log and summary of occupational injuries and illnesses, created pursuant to 12 NYCRR 801.7 and 29 CFR, 1904.6:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: If these records are intended to also satisfy the legal requirements of section 110, Workers' Compensation Law, and no separate records covered by item no. [21], below, are created, then these records must be retained for 18 years after date of injury or illness.
A21.[744]Employee injury record, covering work-related accident or occupational disease, created pursuant to section 110, Workers' Compensation Law:
RETENTION: 18 years after date of injury or illness
A22.[384]Employee medical records
NOTE: This item does not include health insurance records, which are covered by item no. 372, above, or toxic substance exposure records, which are covered by item no. 379, above.
a. First aid records of one-time treatment and subsequent observation of minor illnesses and injuries, as defined in 29 CFR 1910.1020(d-1)(i-B), if made on-site by a non-physician and maintained separately from the employee medical records:
RETENTION: 3 years after completion of treatment and subsequent observation
b. Medical records, other than those covered by part “a”, including medical questionnaires and histories, the results of medical examinations and laboratory tests, medical opinions, diagnoses and recommendations, first aid records, descriptions of treatments and prescriptions, employee medical complaints, and related records, for employee who worked one year or longer.
RETENTION: 30 years after termination of employment
c. Medical records, other than those covered by part “a”, including medical questionnaires and histories, the results of medical examinations and laboratory tests, medical opinions, diagnoses and recommendations, first aid records, descriptions of treatments and prescriptions, employee medical complaints, and related records, for employee who worked less than one year, provided copies were given to the employee upon termination of employment, pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.1020(d-1)(i-C):
RETENTION: 3 years after termination of employment
NOTE: If copies are not given to the employee upon termination of employment, the retention specified in part “b,” above, must be followed.
A23.[329]Notification of vacancy in office, or filling of vacant position:
RETENTION: 0 after position filled or abolished
A24.[745]Drivers' license review records for local government officials, employees or volunteers
a. When no action is taken as result of review:
RETENTION: 0
b. When action is taken as result of review:
RETENTION: 3 years
A25.[746]Employee attestation of knowledge of code of ethics, staff policy manual or other official policies or procedures
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or upon termination of employment
A26.[747]Records documenting the specimen collection and testing process, for commercial motor vehicle driver alcohol and drug testing
a. Official copy of all policies and procedures, including documentation of the random selection process:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Quality control records, including calibration records for testing equipment, assuring that testing equipment is operating correctly:
RETENTION: 5 years
c. Annual statistical and other reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently.
d. Other records, including periodic reports and statistics and collection logbooks:
RETENTION: 2 years
A27.[748]Drivers' test results and related records
a. Verified positive controlled substance test results or alcohol test results indicating a breath or blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.02, documentation that individual employee's test was conducted and specimen handled properly, records of dispute of test results by driver, justification for conducting other than random test, records of compliance with Substance Abuse Professional's (SAP's) recommendations, correspondence and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
b. Verified positive controlled substance test results or alcohol test results indicating a breath or blood alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.02, documentation that individual job applicant's test was conducted and specimen handled properly, records of dispute of test results by individual, justification for conducting other than random test, records of compliance with Substance Abuse Professional's (SAP's) recommendations, correspondence and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Negative or canceled control substance test result or alcohol test result indicating a breath or blood alcohol concentration less than 0.02:
RETENTION: 1 year
d. Records relating to a driver's refusal to take alcohol or substance abuse test:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
e. Records relating to a job applicant's refusal to take alcohol or substance abuse test:
RETENTION: 3 years
A28.[749]Documentation of other violations of alcohol or substance abuse rules, including results of alcohol or substance abuse tests administered by law enforcement personnel, copies of police reports and medical records:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
A29.[750]Staff training and evaluation records for commercial motor vehicle driver alcohol and drug testing
a. Official copy of course syllabus or any local government produced training or advisory publication or videotape:
RETENTION: 6 years after superseded
b. Other training records including lists of attendees, copies of instructors' course or class notes, documentation of instructor's training and proof that employees have received required reading materials:
RETENTION: 6 years
CIVIL SERVICE
A1.[385]Copy of payroll, or payroll report, submitted to civil service office for certification or approval:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
NOTE: Official copy of payroll must be retained for 55 years. See item no. 345 in the Fiscal section.
2. [386]Official civil service employee roster card:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[387]Established position record showing a history of each position and names and other pertinent information about persons who occupied it
a. If record contains detailed information about the position and persons who occupied it:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. If record only provides lists of names of employees:
RETENTION: 1 year after final entry in record
NOTE: The official listing or roster of all local government officials or employees, covered by item no. 381, must be retained permanently.
A4.[388]Report of personnel change, (including employee transfer record), except copy retained in employee's personnel records
a. Copy held by office with official civil service function:
RETENTION: 0 after termination of employment, but not less than 6 years
b. Copy retained by fiscal office, where official civil service copy is maintained by other local government having the official civil service function:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Employee transfer record:
RETENTION: 0 after termination of employment, but not less than 6 years
A5.[389]Job classification records, including job classification questionnaire, analysis of job duties and request for reclassification:
RETENTION: 1 year after subsequent classification action completed, but not less than 10 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Local governments with official civil service functions should consider permanent retention of these records. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A6.[390]Official copy of job posting and position duties statement
a. When duties of position are described in detail:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. When duties of position are not described in detail:
RETENTION: 6 years
A7.[391]Personnel requisition made to civil service or personnel office, requesting that vacancy be filled:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
A8.[392]Civil service eligible list records
a. Official eligible list and certification of eligible list:
RETENTION: 20 years after expiration of eligible list
b. Certification of eligible list sent to and retained by appointing authority:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of eligible list
c. Request for certification of eligible list:
RETENTION: 1 year after expiration of eligible list, but not less than 3 years
d. Individual's request for reinstatement to eligible list and reply:
RETENTION: 1 year after expiration of eligible list, but not less than 3 years
e. Eligible list canvass records, including but not limited to precanvass questionnaire and letter of canvass and reply:
RETENTION: 6 months after expiration of eligible list, but not less than 3 years
f. Military record of applicant, when applicant was not hired:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of eligible list
A9.[393]Application for employment, including resume, when applicant not hired:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: When the applicant is hired, the application is retained in or as long as the personnel file. See item no. 364 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, above.
A10.[394]Application for examination
a. When eligible list is established:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of eligible list
b. When no eligible list is established:
RETENTION: 3 years after examination date
c. Supplemental documentation filed in conjunction with application, including but not limited to student loan statement, credentials and copies of transcripts:
RETENTION: 1 year
A11.[395]Civil service examination records
a. Civil service examination and announcement (official copy held by office with official civil service function):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Civil service examination and announcement (other than official copy held by office with official civil service function):
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. Candidate identification or admission card:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of examination
d. Examination preparation, administration, and rating records:
RETENTION: 5 years after date of examination
e. Veteran credit records:
RETENTION: 50 years
f. Qualifying medical, physical fitness or agility examination report, when person is hired, and worked one year or longer::
RETENTION: 30 years after termination of employment
g. Qualifying medical, physical fitness or agility examination report, when person is hired, and worked less than one year, provided copies were given to the employee upon termination of employment, pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.1020(d-1)(i-C):
RETENTION: 3 years after termination of employment
h. Qualifying medical, physical fitness or agility examination report, when person is not hired:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of examination
i. Summary listing of examination results:
RETENTION: 1 year after date of examination
j. Notification of examination results mailed to candidate:
RETENTION: 3 years
k. Examination review records including but not limited to employee request, correspondence, and objection:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration of eligible list
12.[396]Seniority list ranking employees by length of service:
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or obsolete
A13.[751]Disclosures related to student loan status, received as part of civil service examination application, transmitted to New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, along with transmittal documents:
RETENTION: 1 year
A14.[752]Local government requests to State Civil Service Commission for approval of changes in policies or jurisdictional classifications:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of last entry in record
AA15.[893]Recruitment, hiring, interview and selection records, including but not limited to correspondence, reports, selection criteria, interview notes, background check records, rating and ranking forms, evaluations and other records pertaining to the hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff and termination of employees:
RETENTION: 3 years after completion of personnel action
NOTE: This item does not cover personnel records of individual employees. See item no. 364 in the Personnel subsection, above.
Schedule MU-1
 
Port Facility
PORT FACILITY
A1.[403]Maps, plans, specifications, drawings and photographs of port facility:
RETENTION: 6 years after facility no longer in use
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these records will have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact SARA for additional advice.
2.[404]Master plan, and all supporting documentation for port facility:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[405]Tenant legal and reference files
a. Contract negotiations, contracts, leases and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration, revocation or renewal
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. These records may document the important roles these facilities play in the economic development of the community. In such cases, these records may have continuing value for historical or other research meriting their permanent retention. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Correspondence, including but not limited to complaints about tenants:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Informational materials, including but not limited to lists of tenant's employees, copies of schedules, brochures and advertising materials:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
Schedule MU-1
 
Public Access to Records
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS
A1.[406]Subject matter list of records held by local government, required under Freedom of Information Law:
RETENTION: 6 months after superseded
A2.[407]Listing of officers or employees of local government required by Freedom of Information Law:
RETENTION: 6 months after superseded
A3.[408]Register or list of applicants seeking access to public records:
RETENTION: 6 months
A4.[409]Freedom of Information records request file
a. Request for access to public records, when request is granted:
RETENTION: 6 months
b. Request for access to public records, when request is denied, including statement of denial, appeal records, documentation of review and decision:
RETENTION: 6 months after final determination
c. Certificate that record does not exist or cannot be found:
RETENTION: 6 months
Schedule MU-1
 
Public Employment and Training
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
A1.[410]Employment and training program file for Job Training Partnership Act, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (C.E.T.A.), Manpower Development and Training Act, youth employment training, Work Force Investment Act, and other job training programs
a. Project application, proposal, narrative, evaluation, and annual report:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently.
b. Background material and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[411]Employment and training program individual participant file, including but not limited to application, work schedule, evaluations, and notice of transition to non-grant employment:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
3.[412]Denied employment and training enrollment application:
RETENTION: 3 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Public Health
PUBLIC HEALTH
GENERAL
A1.[413]Certification, licensing, and accreditation records covering review and approval by State or Federal agency or professional review organization, to operate facility or program, to conduct tests, or to perform specified work, including lists of permissible procedures or tests:
RETENTION: 7 years after superseded, revoked, or no longer valid
2.[414]Survey, evaluation, and inspection records covering review of facilities and programs by State or Federal agency or professional review organization, including but not limited to medical care evaluation and similar studies:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[416]Appointment records, including slips, return cards, sign-in sheets, and clinic schedules kept by facility or public health program:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
NOTE: Appointment records for certain patients may have legal value to supplement patient medical records in documenting services provided to these patients.
4.[417]Screening and assessment records and referrals, for persons evaluated but not treated by facility or program:
RETENTION: 3 years
A5.[753]Advice and referral records, covering medical, mental health or other information provided to individuals in person or over the telephone, including but not limited to telephone logs and individual call records
a. When person involved is or becomes a patient:
RETENTION: Retain as long as patient case record
b. When person involved is not or does not become a patient:
RETENTION: 6 months
FISCAL
NOTE: Other fiscal records are covered by items on this Schedule found in the Fiscal section.
1.[418]Annual expenditure report or budget submitted to State or Federal agency or professional review organization:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[419]Patient's individual financial case record and account
a. Individual case record, account card, or ledger card:
RETENTION: 7 years after account closed, but not less than 9 years
b. Individual charge records, posted to case record or card:
RETENTION: 7 years
3.[420]Medicare, Medicaid or insurance carrier claim records, including but not limited to schedule of payments, copy of claim, listing of invalid or rejected claims, vendor payment list, list of claims submitted for payment, and list of checks received:
RETENTION: 7 years
4.[421]Insurance and reimbursement related reports, including Medicare/Medicaid cost report and certified uniform financial or statistical report, and all necessary supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 9 years
A5.[422]Patient personal property records, including log or register of personal property of patients and receipts and related property records of original entry:
RETENTION: 6 years after death or discharge of patient
FACILITY AND PATIENT SERVICES
1.[423]Establishment, major alteration, or change of occupancy or use records
a. Records of review and approval of plans, schedule of costs, feasibility studies, plans, specifications and drawings, final report, and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Memoranda, routine correspondence, and supplemental fiscal documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
2.[424]Facility committee records
a. Minutes of medical staff committees, including but not limited to utilization review committee, joint conference committee or patient care conference:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records of medical staff committees, excluding minutes, including but not limited to agenda, worksheets and notes:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Minutes and all other records of facility committee other than medical staff committees, such as dietary services committee or activities committee:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[425]Dietary services records
a. Food service records, including meal counts, roster of patients' diet orders, and dietary services studies:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Menus:
RETENTION: 1 year
4.[426]Patient activities records, including information on courses and activities offered to patients:
RETENTION: 2 years
5.[427]Medical information index, including but not limited to physician's index, disease index and operative index:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A6.[428]Census record of patients:
RETENTION: 6 years
7.[429]Nursing services report, including substation, shift and ward report:
RETENTION: 1 year
8.[430]Hospital stay data collection records covering data collection and review by Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (S.P.A.R.C.S.) and Data Protection Review Board (D.P.R.B.)
a. Request for data or review of data:
RETENTION: 2 years
b. Results of data processing:
RETENTION: 0 after data verified
c. Data received from S.P.A.R.C.S.:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed for administrative purposes
A9.[431]Quality assurance records
a. Quality assurance plan, including staff privileges review procedures:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Relating to quality of care provided by individual hospital staff members:
RETENTION: 10 years after termination of employment
c. Relating to quality of care provided individual patient, when not duplicated in medical case record:
RETENTION: Retain as long as medical case record
d. Relating to more than one patient:
RETENTION: Retain as long as all relevant medical case records are retained
10.[432]Health facility infection control and monitoring records:
RETENTION: 10 years
PATIENT CASE RECORDS AND RELATED MATERIALS
1.[415]Master summary record, master index file, or principal register giving basic data on individual patients:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[754]Patient data file, providing summary and/or detailed information on patient:
RETENTION: Maintain as long as patient medical or other case record
NOTE: Health agencies and facilities should consider permanent or long- term retention of the basic data elements of these systems for both administrative convenience and for potential research purposes. This data may provide for ease of access to other electronic and paper-based files and may create a record which replaces or supplements the master summary record (see item no. 415, above). Contact SARA for additional advice.
3.[433]Patient's leave records, including leave book or slip, patient's request, physician's consent and record of leave taken:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[434]Utilization review records for individual patient, excluding those contained in medical case record:
RETENTION: 6 years
5.[435]Pre-admission screening records for long-term care health facility
a. When person is not admitted:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
b. When person is admitted, and information is not duplicated in medical case record:
RETENTION: retain as long as medical case record
A6.[436]Medical case record of hospital patient, (in-patient and out-patient), excluding film, tracing, or other record of original entry when information contained is posted to or summarized in case record:
RETENTION: 6 years after death or discharge of patient, but not until 3 years after individual attains age 18
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance. These records may have continuing value for historical or other research, and SARA suggests hospitals consider permanent retention, or if not permanent, for at least 10 years after death or discharge of patient, based on American Medical Records Association guidelines. In addition, records of adoptive children may need to be retained longer for legal and medical reasons. Also, medical records of mothers may, in certain cases, need to be retained longer if needed relative to their children's health. SARA recommends that these factors be considered in disposing of medical case records, and that these records be evaluated for disposition on a case-by-case basis.
7.[437]Medical case record of long-term care health facility patient:
RETENTION: 6 years after death or discharge of patient, but not until 3 years after individual attains age 18
8.[438]Medical case record of out-patient, including but not limited to diagnostic or treatment center patient; child health, maternity, family planning, lead poisoning, medical rehabilitation, dental health, Indian reservation health, nutrition or tuberculosis clinic patient; health related social services and home health agency patient:
RETENTION: 6 years after discharge or last contact, but not until 3 years after youngest patient attains age 18
A9.[439]Original entry patient care records which exist separately from case record, including nurses' notes, operating room record, therapy record, nursery and obstetrics record, emergency room treatment record, triage records and temperature charts
a. When significant information is posted to medical case record:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. When significant information is not posted to medical case record:
RETENTION: Retain as long as medical case record
A10.[440]Film or tracing, including X-ray, EKG tracing, EEG tracing, sonogram, echo cardiogram and holter monitor printout, when report of film or tracing is retained as long as medical case record:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Holter monitor tapes need only be retained for one month after printouts (“disclosures”) are produced from them.
NOTE: Older X-rays on nitrate-base films, which have deteriorated to the point where they are no longer usable, should not be retained. Retention of older nitrate-base X-rays may pose a serious fire hazard.
NOTE: Certain mammograms (covered by this item or by item no. 417, above) must be retained for 10 years pursuant to requirements found in 21 CFR, section 900.12(e-1). Consult your attorney or counsel to determine what action is necessary to meet this requirement.
11.[441]Patient care conference records, including worksheets and evaluations, but excluding minutes
a. When significant information is posted to medical case record:
RETENTION: 0 after posting
b. When significant information is not posted to medical case record:
RETENTION: Retain as long as medical case record
A12.[442]Communicable disease individual case records
a. Communicable disease case report or equivalent record, including copy of laboratory report:
RETENTION: 6 years after discharge or last contact, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
b. Supplementary reports on communicable diseases:
RETENTION: 2 years
c. Typhoid carrier records:
RETENTION: 2 years after death or release of carrier
d. Syphilis treatment case record:
RETENTION: 40 years
e. Sexually transmitted disease case record, except syphilis:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
A13.[755]Mental health incident report:
RETENTION: 20 years
A14.[443]Mental health individual case record
a. Clinical discharge summary:
RETENTION: 25 years
b. Psychiatric test answer sheets:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Case record materials, except clinical discharge summary and psychiatric test answer sheets:
RETENTION: 10 years after discharge or last contact with patient, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance. Records covered by item nos. 443 &444 may have continuing value for historical or other research. Contact SARA for additional advice in this area.
A15.[444]Alcohol or substance abuse individual case record including clinical discharge summary:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of discharge or last contact, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, or for the period required by contractual arrangements, whichever is longest
A16.[756]Reports, studies or data queries, including those generated from patient data system (including documentation of macros, queries, and reports)
a. Reports, studies or queries relating to individual patient:
RETENTION: Retain as long as or as part of medical or other patient case record
b. Reports, studies or queries not relating to individual patient:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise records covered by part “b” for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing specific medical conditions and their treatments may be valuable for long-term planning and for medical, historical and other research. Contact SARA for additional advice.
LABORATORY
A1.[445]Master summary record, including accession sheet or register
a. Register of laboratory tests performed:
RETENTION: 7 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. These records may contain detailed information on the subject, nature and results of laboratory tests and may have long-term or permanent scientific or historical research value. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Record of collection of specimens:
RETENTION: 7 years
A2.[757]Laboratory test data file, providing summary and/or detailed information on laboratory tests performed
a. For clinical laboratory tests:
RETENTION: Maintain as long as related laboratory tests results
b. For forensic or toxicology tests:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. For environmental health tests:
RETENTION: Maintain as long as related laboratory tests results
NOTE: Laboratories should consider permanent or long-term retention of the basic data elements of these systems for both administrative convenience and for potential research purposes. This data may provide for ease of access to other electronic and paper-based files (such as accession records and laboratory test results) and may create a record which replaces or supplements the master summary record (see item no. 445, above). Contact SARA for additional advice.
A3.[446]Request for laboratory test:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the related test results or 7 years, whichever is shorter
A4.[758]Referral information for cytogenetic cases:
RETENTION: 6 years
A5.[447]Laboratory worksheet, workslip, history slip, or similar record
a. For environmental health, or toxicology or forensic test:
RETENTION: Retain as long as related test results
b. For clinical laboratory tests:
RETENTION: 1 year
A6.[448]Preventive maintenance, service, or repair record for laboratory equipment or instrument:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the equipment or instrument remains in use, and also as long as test results using this equipment are retained
NOTE: If equipment is used to produce laboratory test which have differing minimum legal retention periods, then these preventive maintenance records must be retained as long as the longest period of time these laboratory test results need to be retained.
A7.[449]Quality control records covering laboratory equipment and procedures:
RETENTION: Retain as long as test results using this equipment are retained, but not less than 2 years
NOTE: If equipment is used to produce laboratory test which have differing minimum legal retention periods, then these quality control records must be retained as long as the longest period of time these laboratory test results need to be retained.
8.[450]Laboratory protocol detailing procedures for conducting tests, disposing of specimens, samples and supplies, or other activity, including superseded or obsolete procedures:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A9.[451]Laboratory reports, studies or data queries, including those generated from automated data system
a. Forensic and other related investigation reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. All other reports, studies or queries:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing specific types of tests, test results and the population being tested may be valuable for long-term planning and for medical, historical and other research. Because these records will vary greatly as to content, subject and detail, they should be appraised for archival value. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A10.[452]Laboratory specimens and slides
a. Blood film, routine:
RETENTION: 6 months
b. Blood film, other than routine:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Cytology slide, showing abnormality:
RETENTION: 7 years
d. Cytology slide, showing no abnormality:
RETENTION: 3 years
e. Bone marrow biopsy, tissue block, and histopathology slide:
RETENTION: 20 years
f. Bacteriology slide, on which no diagnosis depends:
RETENTION: 0
g. Bacteriology slide, on which a diagnosis depends:
RETENTION: 1 year
h. Cytogenetic slide:
RETENTION: 6 years
i. Photographic record of cytogenetic karyotype:
RETENTION: 25 years
j. Recipient blood specimens:
RETENTION: 1 week
A11.[453]Blood collection, release, transfusion and related records
a. When plasmapheresis, cytapheresis, intraoperative and postoperative blood recovery, isovolemic hemodilution or reinfusion is involved:
RETENTION: 7 years after procedure involved
b. Other blood related records, including autogenic or allogenic transfusions:
RETENTION: 7 years, or 6 months after the expiration date of the individual product, whichever is later
12.[454]Biologics receipt and distribution record
a. Detailed delivery record:
RETENTION: 2 years
b. Summary record of receipt and distribution:
RETENTION: 5 years
13.[455]District laboratory supply station records
a. Notification of establishment or discontinuance of station or of appointment or termination of its caretaker:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Certificate of approval of station maintenance:
RETENTION: 2 years
c. Periodic inventory of station supplies:
RETENTION: 6 years
A14.[456]Laboratory examination test results (clinical)
a. Positive report of syphilis serology:
RETENTION: 7 years
b. Negative report of syphilis serology:
RETENTION: 2 years
c. Tissue pathology (including exfoliate cytology) report:
RETENTION: 20 years
d. Cytogenetics report:
RETENTION: 25 years
e. Clinical, except those listed above:
RETENTION: 7 years
A15.[759]Forensic and toxicology test results:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: These records may need to be retained as long as related case investigation records. Consult the appropriate law enforcement or investigative agency to determine if these records may be needed longer for legal purposes.
A16.[457]Laboratory examination test results (environmental health)
a. Chemical analysis of potable water supply:
RETENTION: 10 years
b. Routine analysis of water at pool or beach:
RETENTION: 0 after posted to summary record, or 3 years if not posted
c. All other environmental health test results:
RETENTION: 3 years
d. Sampling data and other test results maintained by laboratory of public water supply facility, created pursuant to section 5-1.49, 10 NYCRR:
RETENTION: 12 years
e. Local health agency copy of any environmental analysis received from laboratory:
RETENTION: 1 year
RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH
A1.[219]Approvals and registrations relating to radiological equipment and materials
a. Approval to possess or use radioactive materials, received from New York State Department of Health, and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years after local government, facility or program no longer possesses or uses radiological materials
b. Registration of radiation-producing equipment with New York State Department of Health, and related records:
RETENTION: 2 years after expiration or renewal
A2.[220]Radiation-exposure records for an individual
a. Records of diagnostic misadministrations:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Records of therapeutic misadministrations:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Radiation-exposure data for an individual, including records of radioactive material deposited or retained in body:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 90
A3.[760]Records of occupational doses for an individual using radiation-producing equipment or radiological materials
a. Annual or other summary occupational dose records:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 90
b. Detailed occupational dose records:
RETENTION: 0 after annual or other summary record containing this information is produced
c. Records of prior occupational dose:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 90
d. Records of planned special exposures:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 90
A4.[221]Radiation equipment testing and inspection records
a. Regulatory inspection and audit records, including master summary record and “index card”:
RETENTION: 6 years after equipment no longer in use
b. Equipment accuracy testing records, including surveys, calibrations, measurements, and quality control tests:
RETENTION: 3 years
A5.[222]Records of disposal, theft, loss, or excessive release of radiation
a. Records concerning theft or loss of radiation source, excessive release of radiation, or excessive exposure of individual to radiation, including documentation of notification:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Record of disposal by burial in soil:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
c. Records of authorized transfer or receipt, or issue and return of radiation source or radioactive materials, or disposition by incineration or release into sanitary sewer system:
RETENTION: 6 years
A6.[761]Radiation program safety records
a. Records documenting provisions of program:
RETENTION: 3 years after program ceases to exist
b. Audits and other reviews of program content and implementation:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Records documenting specific instructions given to workers:
RETENTION: 3 years
MISCELLANEOUS
A1.[458]Birth and death records held by health agency or facility, including copies of birth and death certificates, and related electronic records:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: The New York State Department of Health requires these records be destroyed as soon as no longer needed. Paper copies of birth and death certificates shall be destroyed within one year of the date of their receipt. Copies of fetal death certificates must be destroyed by the end of each month, pursuant to chapter 809, Laws of 1987.
NOTE: This item does not cover official copies of birth and death certificates held by the health departments of Chemung, Monroe, Onondaga and Tompkins Counties, which serve as registrars of vital statistics.
2.[459]Medical rehabilitation service card:
RETENTION: 6 months after completion of annual report
A3.[460]Dental clinic records
a. Dental hygienist's clinic record:
RETENTION: 0 after youngest person on record attains age 21
b. Dental referral card, notifying clinic of work done by private dentist:
RETENTION: 2 years
c. Individual dental treatment summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years after dental work completed, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
A4.[461]Nutrition program eligibility and certification records (including W.I.C. program), including but not limited to copy of blood test results, record of advice given patient, and records of fair hearing procedure:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
5.[462]Maternal and child health reports
a. Clinic service report, including but not limited to school health service report, and report of poisoning case, except lead poisoning:
RETENTION: 1 year
b. Individual newborn infant metabolic defects screening report:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 21
6.[463]Housing investigation case record for lead poisoning:
RETENTION: 7 years after case closed
7.[464]Master summary record (index, log, register or similar record) of lead poisoning cases and investigations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
8.[465]Lead poisoning reports and screening results
a. Positive results of screening, when not duplicated in case record:
RETENTION: Retain as long as case record
b. Positive results of screening, when duplicated in case record:
RETENTION: 0
c. Negative results of screening, when posted to summary record:
RETENTION: 0 after posting
d. Negative results of screening, when not posted to summary record:
RETENTION: 0 after individual attains age 21
e. Blood level determination report:
RETENTION: 10 years
f. Summary report of screening program:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A9.[466]Cancer study and control program records
a. Cancer case report for individual, received and used for statistical purposes:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
b. Cancer summary record for individual:
RETENTION: 2 years after individual dies or attains age 90
10.[467]Tuberculosis case and contact register or record card, and related materials
a. When individual has died:
RETENTION: 3 years after death
b. When individual's diagnosis has been changed to nontubercular:
RETENTION: 6 years after diagnosis changed
c. For other tubercular individual:
RETENTION: 20 years after last entry
d. For nontubercular contact:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
e. Source or intermediary documents used in reporting, tracking or posting information on tubercular cases:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
11.[468]Tuberculosis case listing by geographical area:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
12.[469]Negative tuberculosis X-ray films or interpretive reports resulting from screening program:
RETENTION: 3 years
A13.[470]Individual immunization record, including authorization and/or parental consent:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
14.[471]Vaccine distribution and usage records
a. Official record of distribution and usage:
RETENTION: 25 years
b. Statistical or similar record of vaccines administered:
RETENTION: 5 years
A15.[472]Results of screening programs, except lead poisoning
a. Summary reports on screening results:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Master index or listing of participants:
RETENTION: 50 years
c. Positive report of individual screened, including statement of consent or participation and authorization for release of information:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
d. Negative report of individual screened, including statement of consent or participation and authorization for release of information:
RETENTION: 1 year
e. Log or other working record of screening and testing, used to compile statistics and other data:
RETENTION: 1 year
f. Anonymous H.I.V. test results and related records
RETENTION: 7 years
NOTE: Identifiable H.I.V. related records are covered by items 436 and 438, and related laboratory records are covered by items in the Laboratory subsection.
A16.[473]Receipt and storage records for controlled substances (or other drugs or medication), including inventory, authorized requisition, receipt and vendor record:
RETENTION: 5 years
A17.[474]Usage and distribution records for controlled substances (or other drugs or medication)
a. Record of withdrawal from stock, distribution and administration to patients:
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Order or prescription form used for administering to patients:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. List of narcotic registrants (persons registered to possess or prescribe controlled substances):
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
d. Report on habitual user of narcotics:
RETENTION: 6 years
A18.[762]Tissue donation and transfer records
a. Master summary record (index or log) of all tissue donations and transfers:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Reproductive tissue donation records, including but not limited to information on donor and donation, referral records, tissue storage and processing records, documentation of delivery or receipt and records of tissue disposal and/or use (other than those contained in patient medical records), of donated reproductive tissue in artificial insemination and/or assisted reproductive procedures which result in a live birth:
RETENTION: 25 years
c. Reproductive tissue donation records, including but not limited to information on donor and donation, referral records, tissue storage and processing records, documentation of delivery or receipt and records of tissue disposal and/or use (other than those contained in patient medical records), of donated reproductive tissue in artificial insemination and/or assisted reproductive procedures which do not result in a live birth:
RETENTION: 7 years after release or discard of tissue
d. Other tissue donation and transfer records, including but not limited to information on donor and donation, referral records, tissue storage and processing records, documentation of delivery or receipt and records of tissue disposal and/or use (other than those contained in patient medical records), for tissue intended for transplantation:
RETENTION: 7 years after release or discard of tissue
e. Records of release of tissue or nontransplant anatomic parts for research or educational purposes:
RETENTION: 5 years after release
A19.[763]Organ procurement and transplant records
a. Master summary record (index or log) of all organ donations and transplants:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other organ donation and transplant records, including but not limited to information on donor and donation, referral records, documentation of delivery or receipt, information on recipient and records of use (other than those contained in patient medical records), when organ is procured:
RETENTION: 7 years after date of procurement
c. Other organ donation and transplant records, including but not limited to information on donor and donation, referral records and explanation of why organ is not procured (other than those contained in patient medical records), when organ is not procured:
RETENTION: 7 years after date of most recent entry in record
A20.[764]Copies of laboratory reports, submitted to health department by hospitals for informational purposes:
RETENTION: 0
AA21.[894]Medical waste disposal records, relating to generation, transportation and disposal of regulated medical waste
a. Medical waste tracking records, including exception reports:
RETENTION: 3 years after waste accepted for transport
b. Records created by generators who destroy regulated medical waste on site:
RETENTION: 3 years after date waste destroyed
c. Annual reports prepared by waste generator or transporter:
RETENTION: 3 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Public Property and Equipment
PUBLIC PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A1.[475]Real property acquisition or sale file for property owned by local government including but not limited to copy of deed, copy of appraisal or valuation, copy of site or plot plan, photographs, recommendation or justification for acquisition or sale, approval for acquisition or sale, closing statement, memoranda and correspondence
a. Copy of site or plot plan, photographs, and recommendation or justification for acquisition or sale:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other records in file, including but not limited to copy of deed, copy of appraisal or valuation, closing statement, approval for acquisition or sale, memoranda and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after property no longer owned by local government
NOTE: This does not apply to a sale of real property tax liens conducted by the local government. See the Taxation and Assessment section.
2.[476]Master summary record (book, log or register) recording acquisition or sale of property by local government:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
3.[477]Official copy of sale or auction list, and notice or advertisement of sale of real property by local government:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA4.[478]Capital construction or public improvement project file, including but not limited to bids, specifications, contracts, performance guarantees, inspection reports, and environmental impact statements
a. Feasibility studies; successful bids; plans, specifications and designs; project description; in-progress and completion photographs; inspection reports; environmental impact statement; annual project statement; fiscal and other final reports; significant change orders; and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after building or facility no longer exists or is no longer owned by local government
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records for important projects or historic structures have historical value and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Supplementary documentation, including application for assistance, project budget, interim fiscal reports, claims contract, vouchers, work orders, memoranda, worksheet, non-significant change orders; routine correspondence and detailed construction specifications:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry in project file
c. Unsuccessful bids, to which contract in not awarded:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. All records, when project is proposed but not undertaken:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
NOTE: For plans, maps, designs, sketches, designs, architectural drawings and photographs of buildings and facilities, see item no. 479, below.
AA5.[479]Official plans, maps, designs, architectural drawings, and photographs for buildings or other facilities owned by local government, including index, and also including design file for capital construction or renovation project
a. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for significant building or other facility:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for other than significant building or other facility:
RETENTION: 6 years after building or facility no longer exists or is no longer owned by local government
c. Mechanical, electric and other detailed schematic drawings, not covered by parts "a" or "b," including detailed specifications not appearing on plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings:
RETENTION: 6 years after building or facility no longer exists or is no longer owned by local government
d. Other related non-graphic design file documents, including correspondence, cost estimates, reports, planning studies and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project
NOTE: Some of these non-graphic documents may need to be retained for 6 years after the building or other facility no longer exists, if they document significant changes with long-term fiscal and other implications. Local governments should review these records for these possible uses prior to disposition.
e. Template or other similar automated framework or reference files used in conjunction with more specific automated design files:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the related specific automated design files are retained.
f. Index or similar record used to locate, identify and access plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings, photographs and other existing records:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file or other record, deleting information only relating to records that have been disposed of.
AA6.[480]Draft or intermediary plans, maps, designs, sketches or architectural drawings, including explanatory textual files, tracings and other than final or "as built" automated design files:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Some of these design documents may need to be retained for 6 years or longer, possibly as long as the building or other facility exists, if they document significant changes with long-term fiscal and other implications. Local governments should review these records for these possible uses prior to disposition.
AA7.[895]Maintenance, testing, service, operational and repair records for buildings and other facilities or their mechanical, electrical systems or other infrastructure
a. Cumulative summary records:
RETENTION: 6 years after building or other facility no longer in use
b. Individual detailed report or related record, such as work request, work order, personnel deployment record, preventive maintenance schedules and records of work completed, when posted to cumulative summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Individual report or related record, such as work request, work order, personnel deployment record and records of work completed, when not posted to cumulative summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years after building or other facility no longer in use
d. Log, maintenance schedule or similar record of ongoing activity:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
e. Descriptive information on specific equipment or component parts:
RETENTION: 6 years after equipment or part no longer in use
f. Descriptive information on maintenance personnel, vendors or contractors:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
g. Inventories of parts, materials and supplies needed for maintenance and repairs:
RETENTION: 6 years
h. Requests for inspection, repair or service, when no work is performed and no funds expended:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: For plans, designs and schematic drawings of buildings and facilities, including their systems and component parts, see item no. 479, above.
AA8.[896]Reports and studies relating to maintenance, testing, service, operation and repairs for buildings and other facilities or their mechanical, electrical systems or other infrastructure:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Some of these reports may need to be retained longer for long-term facility management purposes, such as for 6 years after building or other facility no longer in use. Some may even have permanent historical or other research value. Contact the State Archives for additional information.
AA9.[481]Building or facility security records, including but not limited to visitor's register and watchman's or automated security system or false alarm reports:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: This item does not cover airport security records, which are covered by item no. 609 in the Transportation and Engineering section, Airport subsection.
A10.[482]Public facility use file, including but not limited to requests, correspondence, fiscal records and authorizations:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. In some cases, facility use files may document significant attempts by the local government to broaden its support base by reaching out to community groups.
AA11.[483]Fire safety records, including but not limited to fire safety inspection reports, fire drill report, fire alarm records, fire inspection reports and fire investigation reports
NOTE: Records maintained by the public safety agency which performs official fire safety functions are covered by item nos. 509, 511 and 512 in the Public Safety section, Fire Fighting and Prevention subsection.
a. Fire safety inspection reports:
RETENTION: 3 years, or until all violations noted on report are corrected, whichever is later
b. Records other than fire safety inspection reports:
RETENTION: 3 years
AA12.[484]Property inventory records, covering buildings, facilities, vehicles, machinery and equipment, including "fixed assets" records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded by updated inventory, or 6 years after replacement, sale, or discontinuance of use of all property listed, whichever is sooner
13.[485]Inventory of supplies:
RETENTION: 6 years
14.[486]Public property sale or discard records, except real property, including but not limited to description of property, bids or offers, and receipt of deed of gift:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA15.[487]Maintenance, testing, service, operational and repair records for equipment or vehicle, but not covering buildings and other facilities or their mechanical, electrical systems or other infrastructure
a. Cumulative summary record for vehicle or equipment:
RETENTION: 6 years after vehicle or equipment no longer in use
b. Individual report when posted to cumulative summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Individual report when not posted to cumulative summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years after vehicle or equipment no longer in use
d. Maintenance or repair log or similar record:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
e. Reports and studies relating to maintenance, testing, service, operation and repairs for equipment or vehicles:
RETENTION: 6 years
f. Requests for inspection, repair or service, when no work is performed and no funds expended:
RETENTION: 1 year
16.[488]Specifications, warranty and descriptive information received from vendor for vehicle or equipment:
RETENTION: 6 years after vehicle or equipment no longer in use
AA17.[489]Vehicle routing, scheduling and usage records, including automated system used to schedule and assign routes of service and maintenance vehicles
NOTE: This does not apply to emergency use of law enforcement, fire or other emergency vehicles, which are covered by items in the Public Safety section. For usage records covering busses and other public transportation vehicles, see the Transportation and Engineering section, Public Transportation subsection.
a. Detailed data file containing information such as on vehicle stops, usage, locations at specific times or intervals:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Because of the amount of detailed data collected by such systems, such data may only be maintained online for a limited period of time. Some of this data may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements. It is recommended that local officials store this data offline long enough to meet such requirements. Also, maintenance of a history file (see below) containing the most significant data elements may satisfy these administrative and legal needs.
b. Automated system operation history file, containing significant data and/or periodic data snapshots, generated from detailed system data:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Logs, schedule, reports, and queries (including macros, queries and necessary documentation used in report and query generation), which contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Logs, schedules, reports, and queries (including macros, queries and necessary documentation used in report and query generation), which do not contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
e. Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) street/road data file used for vehicle routing scheduling, derived from official G.I.S. data maintained by other unit of local government:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA18.[490]Consumption and dispensing records for fuel, oil, or similar products used by publicly owned vehicle or equipment:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: This item does not cover fuel (jet fuel and service vehicle fuel), de-icer or other chemical storage and dispensing records for airport, which are covered by item no. 903 in the Transportation and Engineering section, Airport subsection.
A19.[491]Request for services or supplies, including stockroom supplies, forms and publications, duplication, or use of any vehicle or equipment
a. When a chargeback or fee is involved:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. When no chargeback or fee is involved:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
20.[492]Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) private radio licensing records
a. Original application and other related records not created for renewal applications:
RETENTION: 5 years after final termination of license or denial of application
b. Renewal application and related records, including copy of license:
RETENTION: 5 years after renewal or termination of license or denial of application
c. Request for frequency data research:
RETENTION: 1 year
d. Listing of locations of radios using local government private radio frequency:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
A21.[493]Petroleum bulk storage records
a. Registration, including application and related records:
RETENTION: 7 years after expiration or termination of registration or denial of application
b. Monthly and 10-year mandatory inspection reports:
RETENTION:10 years
c. Daily and other periodic inspection reports:
RETENTION: 1 year
d. Test certification for underground storage tank:
RETENTION: 7 years
e. Site assessment and related records, required when an underground storage tank is abandoned:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
f. Records relating to leakage and spillage:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
g. Inventory monitoring records:
RETENTION: 5 years
A22.[765]Aquatic weed harvesting and/or control records (covers harvesting by mechanical or manual means or control by use of herbicides):
RETENTION: 3 years
A23.[766]Asbestos files showing the location of asbestos materials and the warnings about it given to employees and the public, including but not limited to notice to employees, blueprints, building diagrams, laboratory reports, record of friable material found, result of analysis of friable material sampled, and annual inspection report
a. Annual inspection report:
RETENTION: 40 years
b. All other records:
RETENTION: 40 years after building no longer exists or after all asbestos material is removed from the building
A24.[767]Building rehabilitation and reconstruction project files when asbestos is installed, removed, encapsulated, applied, distributed or otherwise involved:
RETENTION: 40 years
A25.[768]Lead or copper content testing and remediation files covering lead or copper content in drinking water of public facilities
a. Water sample test results and related records, when lead or copper level exceeds the action level as defined in section 5-1.41, State Sanitary Code:
RETENTION: 50 years
b. Water sample test results and related records, when lead or copper level does not exceed the action level as defined in section 5-1.41, State Sanitary Code:
RETENTION: 10 years
c. Records of remediation by replacement of lead or copper plumbing:
RETENTION: 6 years after building no longer exists
d. Records of remediation by elimination or replacement of water cooler not connected to plumbing:
RETENTION: 6 years after cooler eliminated or replaced
A26.[769]Pesticide (including herbicide, rodenticide and disinfectant) application record (showing kind and quantity used, dosage rate, method of application, target organism, area and time of application):
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Records of incidents of possible exposure to pesticides (including herbicides, rodenticides and disinfectants), and other records created because pesticides are considered "toxic substances," are covered by item no. 379 in the Personnel/Civil Service section.
A27.[770]Inventory of pesticides (including herbicides, rodenticides and disinfectants) maintained by local government:
RETENTION: 40 years after superseded or obsolete
A28.[771]Annual report of pesticides (including herbicides, rodenticides and disinfectants) used, submitted to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
RETENTION: 2 years
A29.[772]Application for business/agency pesticide registration, including all related records:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or invalid
A30.[773]Records relating to certification for individual certified commercial applicator, including copy of application, records of training in use of pesticides, examination results, copy of certificate and recertification records:
RETENTION: 6 years
A31.[774]Permits and approvals from State or county health department to operate pool or beach:
RETENTION: 3 years after denial or expiration
A32.[775]Reports of pool or beach operation and inspection:
RETENTION: 21 years
A33.[776]Facility inmate work crew records, covering crews from State or county correctional facilities performing work outside the facilities for local government or not-for-profit organization, including but not limited to request for work crew and site visit report:
RETENTION: 2 years
A34.[777]Self-evaluation records, required under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
a. Voluntary compliance plan for facility, including list of persons consulted, description of areas examined, transition plan, list of problems identified and description of modifications anticipated and made:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Copies of work orders, progress notes and other supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 1 year after modifications completed
A35.[778]Inspection reports, reviews and audits (internal and external) created relative to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
RETENTION: 6 years after building or facility involved is no longer in use
A36.[779]Individual complaint records, filed under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including but not limited to complaint or charge, medical reports, response to charge, correspondence and internal memoranda, records documenting work done in response to complaint and documentation of final resolution
a. When complaint is filed by officer or employee of the local government involved:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of employment
b. When complaint is filed by person other than officer or employee of the local government involved:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of final entry in record, but not less than 3 years after person involved attains age 18
A37.[780]Summary record for individual case and/or master summary record of all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cases:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A38.[781]Videotape or other recording maintained for security purposes
a. Videotape or other recording containing incidents warranting retention for administrative or potential legal uses:
RETENTION: 3 years, but not until any minor has attained age 21
b. Videotape or other recording not containing incidents warranting retention for administrative or potential legal uses:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A39.[782]Records relating to protection of underground facilities
a. Notice of or request for excavation, received by local government from excavator, pursuant to 16 NYCRR, section 753-5.2, including notice of postponement or cancellation and notice of discovery of unknown facility:
RETENTION: 4 years
b. Master list or central registry of operators of underground facilities located within borders of county or municipality:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
A40.[783]Records filed by contractor or sub-contractor with local government related to public works project, pursuant to section 220(3-a), Labor Law, including but not limited to copy or abstract of payroll, classification of workers employed on a project, and statement of work to be performed by each classification:
RETENTION: 3 years after contract completion
AA41.[897]Water supply system records, covering water supply system (such as private well) maintained by local government for its own use
NOTE: Public water supply records, where a local government provides water for public consumption, are covered by items in the Environmental Health section, Environmental Facilities: General and Environmental Facilities: Public Water Supply subsections.
a. Permits and approvals necessary to establish or operate system, including supporting data and other related records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Original entry and intermediary charts, graphs and other data collected relating to water usage, water levels and water quality:
RETENTION: 10 years
c. Reports and related data collection and other summary records showing long-term trends and developments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
d. Reports and related records not showing long-term trends and developments:
RETENTION: 0 years
e. Reports and test results on unsatisfactory water supply samples:
RETENTION: 20 years
f. Log recording summary information collected at periodic intervals such as changes in pressure and level, proportion of chemicals present, operational changes and problems:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
g. Log recording all or routine information such as changes in pressure and level, proportion of chemicals present, operational changes and problems:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: If no logs containing summary information are generated, local governments may wish to retain all or some records covered by part "g" of this item longer, for both long-term administrative use and for potential research purposes.
AA42.[898]Energy consumption monitoring records showing use of electricity or fuel, operation of heating and/or cooling equipment, or environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) in various parts of publicly owned or operated building or other facility
a. Detailed data collected from sensors or monitors, and detailed reports generated from such data:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Some of this data and these detailed reports may need to be retained for 6 years for energy consumption trending analysis or energy consumption audit purposes. The State Archives recommends that local governments consult the Office of the State Comptroller or their own auditor to determine which data may have long-term value.
b. Equipment maintenance, testing and service records, except detailed records of routine activities:
RETENTION: 6 years after equipment no longer in use
c. Detailed records of routine maintenance, testing and service:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Reports relating to energy consumption and environmental conditions, including reports of problems and corrective actions taken, summary reports of environmental conditions, and reports showing long-term energy consumption trends, along with accompanying charts, graphs and data tables:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical or other long-term significance prior to disposition. Records showing long-term trends in energy use may need to be retained permanently, or at least 6 years after the building or other facility is no longer in use. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA43.[899]Records relating to mines owned or operated by local government
a. Plans, maps and environmental impact statements generated as part of application process to obtain permit from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to operate mine, or to obtain permit renewal:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Other records generated as part of application process to obtain permit from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to operate mine, or to obtain permit renewal, including but not limited to original and renewal application, actual permit, reports and correspondence:
RETENTION: 3 years after mine closed and land reclaimed
c. Mine registration with the United States Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) known as "Legal Identity Report":
RETENTION: 3 years after mine closed and land reclaimed
d. Listing of employment, accident and injury data, submitted annually by MSHA to local government:
RETENTION: 5 years
e. Quarterly mine employment and coal production report, submitted to MSHA, as required by 30 CFR, section 50.30:
RETENTION: 5 years
f. Basic information on employees working at mine, known as "population survey," submitted to MSHA, as required by 30 CFR, section 45.4:
RETENTION: 0 after no persons listed on report still work at mine
NOTE: The annual training plan for employees who work at a mine is covered by item no. 655 in the General section. Accident and personal injury reports are covered by item no. 744 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, Personnel subsection. The rescue plan is covered by item no. 512 in the Public Safety section, Fire Fighting and Prevention subsection. Training certification records for each employee working at a mine are covered by item no. 368 in the Personnel/Civil Service section, Personnel subsection.
AA44.[918]Hazardous waste generation records
a. Individual load delivery and other detailed records, including manifest form:
RETENTION: 3 years after waste accepted by transporter
b. Annual and exception reports:
RETENTION: 3 years after due date of report
c. Test results and waste analyses
RETENTION: 3 years after date waste was removed
NOTE: This item covers records of local governments which generate hazardous waste but do not operate programs to collect and dispose of hazardous waste. For governments that operate such programs, item no. 232 in the Environmental Health section, Solid Waste Management Facilities subsection, covers records of the generation, collection and disposal of hazardous waste.
Schedule MU-1
 
Public Safety
PUBLIC SAFETY
E-911 AND RELATED RECORDS
A1.[784]Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) and related records
a. MSAG data base, containing such information as road/street names, address ranges, addresses, community names, telephone numbers, and information on properties, structure and individuals:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file, and 1 year after replaced by superseding MSAG data file
NOTE: Appraise these records, which may contain valuable information on properties, structures and residents, for secondary uses as well as historical significance prior to disposition. Periodic “snapshots” of this data may be created and maintained as either electronic files saved to disk, tape or diskette, or as hard-copy output such as printed maps, or in both formats. Contact SARA for additional advice on the creation and maintenance of these records.
b. Street alias file, containing alternative road or street names:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file, and 3 years after replaced by superseding street alias file
c. Records of updates, corrections and confirmations to MSAG data base, including assignments of new or revised street addresses:
RETENTION: 3 years
d. Non-permanent road/street related information, such as relating to temporary closure of road or street:
RETENTION: 3 years after information becomes invalid
A2.[785]Telephone utility address records
a. Copy of database or printout received from telephone utility:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
b. Updates, corrections, trouble reports and Automatic Location Information (ALI) discrepancy reports, submitted to and received from telephone utility:
RETENTION: 1 year
A3.[786]Non-emergency call receipt and response records, such as those contained in E-311 system, E-911 system module, or other electronic or manual system by which non-emergency calls are handled:
RETENTION: 1 year
A4.[787]Automatic Number Information (ANI) and Automatic Location Information (ALI) records
a. ALI database, containing street address information on each telephone number:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Local governments which do not maintain MSAG data files may wish to retain this record as a perpetual data file, and for 1 year after replaced by a superseding data file.
b. ANI and ALI reports, such as printouts of ANI or ALI screen displays and similar records, but not including ALI discrepancy reports:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Local governments should consult their attorney or counsel before these records are disposed of regarding any potential legal value.
A5.[788]E-911 system development and implementation records
a. Feasibility and implementation reports and studies:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Because of the costs involved and significance of implementing E-911 and related systems, these records may be important in documenting the system itself as well as the implementation process. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Background materials used in preparing feasibility and implementation reports and studies, preliminary maps, and detailed statistical and other supplementary data accompanying reports and studies:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project
c. Records relating to establishment of road/street names, address ranges and addresses, including changes in names of roads/streets and address range changes, including standards followed for naming, addressing and address conversions:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
d. Aerial photographs and final maps created in conjunction with system implementation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH (CAD)
A1.[789]Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) or incident data file, containing data on each call received and equipment dispatch or other resulting action taken:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: In some automated systems no MSAG data file exists, and the CAD or incident data file assumes this function. In these cases local governments should consider maintaining this record as a perpetual data file, and 1 year after replaced by superseding data file.
NOTE: Incidents involving minors, casualties, serious injuries, homicides, fires which are incendiary in nature or under investigation, or unsolved law enforcement cases, may necessitate retention of data relating to these incidents longer for potential or ongoing legal needs. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A2.[494]Emergency call receipt and/or equipment dispatch record, including but not limited to police or fire incident report or alarm report, generated each time an alarm or call is received and equipment is dispatched or other resulting action taken
a. When record contains no information on emergency medical treatment of an individual:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Incidents involving minors, casualties, serious injuries, homicides, fires which are incendiary in nature or under investigation, or unsolved law enforcement cases, may necessitate retention of data relating to these incidents longer for potential or ongoing legal needs. Records custodians may wish to consult their attorney, counsel or law enforcement agency before these records are disposed of regarding any potential longer legal value. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. When record contains information on emergency medical treatment of an individual:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
A3.[790]Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) records used in emergency dispatch process
a. Street, road right-of-way, road centerline, hydrant, tax parcel or other data layer (official copies maintained and/or updated by dispatching unit):
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data files, and 1 year after superseded
b. Street, road right-of-way, road centerline, hydrant, tax parcel or other data layers (other than official copies, where official copy is maintained by other unit of local government which maintains the G.I.S.):
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. G.I.S. file and process documentation records, covering G.I.S. operations where dispatch unit creates, revises or performs analyses on data layers and related files:
RETENTION: Maintain until G.I.S. system used in dispatch is superseded or no longer used
A4.[495]Communications log (radio, telephone, alarm or other) recording each communication between caller and receiving unit or between dispatch unit and mobile unit or field personnel, for law enforcement agency, fire department or district, emergency medical or central emergency dispatch unit:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
NOTE: Local governments should consult their attorney or counsel before these records are disposed of regarding any potential legal value.
A5.[496]Tape recording of communications kept by dispatch unit of law-enforcement agency, fire department or district, emergency medical service or central emergency dispatch unit:
RETENTION: 0 after information posted to emergency call receipt and/or equipment dispatch record
NOTE: Records custodians may wish to consult their attorney, counsel or law enforcement agency before these records are disposed of regarding any potential legal value. The State Police suggests that these tapes be retained for at least 30 days if economically feasible. Recordings of serious incidents may warrant longer retention for legal reasons. These tapes should be retained until legal action is resolved, or the relevant specific communications should be transferred onto a separate tape. Consult SARA for additional advice.
A6.[791]Call receipt and dispatch related reports, other than individual incident reports
a. Incident data files submitted to New York Department of State:
RETENTION: 2 years
b. Summary data reports and detailed reports containing information of potential legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Internal information reports of no legal or fiscal value, such as daily activity reports:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
PUBLIC SAFETY: GENERAL
NOTE: Software and software manuals and documentation are not considered “records” under the Local Government Records Law. Local governments may need, however, to retain older versions of software, as well as relevant manuals and documentation, to document the operation of public safety related systems for legal purposes, such as defending the integrity of systems in court actions. Contact your counsel or attorney for advice in this area prior to destroying outdated software and related documentation.
A1.[534]Accreditation records for law enforcement, fire fighting or prevention or emergency medical services agency or unit:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[792]Emergency vehicle, apparatus and equipment records
NOTE: Items covering purchase, warranty, repair, fuel use, and replacement are found in the Public Property and Equipment section.
a. Vehicle upkeep and use records, including records of incidents where vehicle responded and equipment was used:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Vehicle readiness checklist, or equivalent record, for any emergency vehicle, needed to ensure that necessary equipment and material is in place and in proper order:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Record of equipment (other than firearms) issued to public safety personnel:
RETENTION: 1 year after equipment returned or otherwise disposed of
A3.[498]Training records for law-enforcement officers, E-911, dispatch or fire-fighting personnel, but excluding emergency medical personnel
a. Individual's record of courses attended and/or completed, including basic information on course content:
RETENTION: 6 years after individual leaves service
NOTE: Local officials may wish to keep these records longer, possibly for the career of the individual, if the records are consulted throughout that period.
b. Official copy of training manual or bulletin:
RETENTION: 50 years
c. Course instruction records, including attendance lists and lesson plan:
RETENTION: 1 year
A4.[793]Alarm records
a. Permit files for connecting fire, water or burglar alarm to public safety agency emergency telephone system, including applications, copies of permits, inspection reports and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years after denial, expiration or renewal
b. Alarm or fire alarm box call record containing basic information on each alarm transmitted:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. False alarm records, including but not limited to lists of false alarms, notices sent to property owners and records of assessing and collecting fines for responses to false alarms:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Alarm location records, including maps and listing and descriptions of alarms:
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or obsolete
A5.[794]Public safety personnel service data file or equivalent record, including incident and activity attendance information showing names of personnel present at fire or other emergency, including attendance at training, drills, meetings and other official activities
NOTE: This item does not cover the personnel records of officer, employee or volunteer. See the Personnel/Civil Service section of this schedule.
a. Summary data on an individual:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Detailed data on an individual, when posted to or listed on summary data file or other record:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Detailed data on an individual, when not posted to or listed on summary data file or other record:
RETENTION: 3 years
A6.[795]Public safety real property data file, containing basic and detailed information on land and structures, including hazards, property inspections, and individuals associated with properties
a. Basic or “history file” data:
RETENTION: Maintain as updated perpetual data file, for as long as system remains in use and property covered comes under service area
NOTE: Local governments should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of these property “history” files for all parcels of property, or the creation and permanent retention of “snapshots” of this data. This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, and for community, urban planning, public safety issues, and other research. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Detailed data, including plans and computer-assisted design records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
c. Records of updates and corrections to property data:
RETENTION: 3 years after update or correction made
A7.[796]Documentation of macros, queries, and reports
a. Relating to specific case investigation or subject file:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the case investigation or subject file for which the documentation is created are retained.
b. Not relating to specific case investigation or subject file:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Depending on the results obtained from generating these macros, queries and reports, local officials may wish to retain these records for potential legal and other uses.
A8.[797]Hazardous materials records
a. Hazardous materials location report or exemption filed with the fire department or district, or equivalent record:
RETENTION: 3 years after hazardous materials no longer stored at site
NOTE: Local officials may wish to retain these records longer, possibly as long as 40 years, if the hazardous materials listed on this record include substances listed in Subpart Z, 29 CFR (Federal O.S.H.A. Regulations).
b. Textual reference information containing medical, chemical or other information used to assist dispatchers and responding personnel, and maps of agency/service coverages
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or obsolete
c. Reports on hazardous materials found in the service area in its entirety, or at specific locations:
RETENTION: 3 years after hazardous materials listed in report are no longer present at listed sites
NOTE: Local officials may wish to retain these records longer, possibly as long as 40 years, if the hazardous materials listed on this record include substances listed in Subpart Z, 29 CFR (Federal O.S.H.A. Regulations). In addition, if these reports document the presence of hazardous materials in a community at a given time, they should be appraised for historical significance. These records may have immediate significance for fire fighting and disaster prevention and long-term research value in situations where the hazardous materials found in the area had a significant impact on the community. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A9.[798]Standard Operating Procedures for call receipt and dispatch, including codes, abbreviations and authority file data:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: Detailed routine procedures are covered by item no. 9 in the General section.
A10.[799]Reference files on municipalities, districts and volunteer entities in service or neighboring areas:
RETENTION: 0 superseded or obsolete
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. These records may have long-term historical value in documenting emergency services in a given area. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA11.[919]Wild animal notification records, consisting of annual notifications to city, town and village clerks from persons owning, possessing or harboring wild animals as defined pursuant to section 209-cc of General Municipal Law, and subsequent notifications of the presence of wild animals from those clerks to public safety agencies
a. Notifications received by municipal clerks from persons owning, harboring or possessing wild animals:
RETENTION: 4 years
b. Notifications sent from municipal clerks to public safety agencies:
RETENTION: 1 year or when superseded
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
A1.[800]Patient care records
a. Ambulance run or prehospital care record created each time a patient is transported by emergency vehicle and/or administered medical treatment:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual treated and/or transported reaches age 18, whichever is longer
b. Patient care data file, containing medical treatment and/or billing information on individual treated by emergency medical personnel:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual treated and/or transported reaches age 18, whichever is longer
c. Summary record of all patients treated and/or transported:
RETENTION: 3 years
A2.[503]Ambulance run or emergency medical treatment chronological log, or equivalent record:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
AA3.[504]Emergency medical training records, covering local government employees who receive training
a. Application for training or certification filed by individual:
RETENTION: 6 months
b. Original entry training records, when posted to summary record:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Original entry training records, when not posted to summary record:
RETENTION: 7 years
d. Summary record of training:
RETENTION: 7 years
NOTE: Local officials may wish to keep these records longer, possibly for the career of the individual, if the records are consulted throughout that period.
e. Course materials, except final or annual reports:
RETENTION: 7 years after course completed
AA4.[900]Emergency medical training records, covering local governments which are course sponsors, including but not limited to information on individuals, course files, and information on instructors, as required by section 800.20, 10 NYCRR
a. Information on individuals and course files:
RETENTION: 5 years
b. Information on instructors:
RETENTION: 5 years after working association of each instructor ceases
A5.[801]Rescue and disaster response reports and related records, covering specific incidents:
RETENTION: 3 years, but not until 3 years after any minor involved attains age 18
NOTE: Specific rescue and disaster response records should be appraised for historical value, and may warrant permanent retention, based on the serious nature of the incident involved. These records may not be duplicated in disaster response files, covered by item no. 74 in the Civil Defense/Disaster Preparedness section. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A6.[802]Emergency medical services reports, containing information on such subjects as specific types of medical emergencies, types of supplies used, and call frequency
a. Reports containing billing information:
RETENTION: 7 years
b. Reports not containing billing information:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Summary data received from New York State Department of Health:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
FIRE FIGHTING AND PREVENTION
A1.[505]Blotter or equivalent record providing summary information on all significant activities of a fire department or district:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[506]Log, journal or similar chronological record of all activity at a fire station:
RETENTION: 3 years after date of most recent entry
A3.[507]Fire department or district incidents listing or report, received from New York State Department of State
a. When blotter or equivalent record is not kept by department or district:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. When incidents listed on printout are also shown on blotter or log:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. County fire coordinator's, marshal's or emergency services director's information copy:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A4.[508]Reports on fire-fighting activity, not including incident reports
a. Reports dealing with serious incidents or problems, or major issues with long-term implications, such as covering overall status of fire-fighting apparatus, equipment and facilities, fire-fighting readiness capability and personnel performance evaluation, and fire casualty reports:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Reports on routine activities, including but not limited to daily activity report, daily communications report, false alarm investigation report, and other periodic report, which contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Reports on routine activities, which do not contain information of legal or fiscal value, and reports which contain information duplicated in reports covered by part “a” or part “b” above:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
d. Informational reports received from county fire coordinator:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A5.[509]Fire investigation records
a. First, second or third degree arson investigation records, disaster or casualty investigation records, or records of investigations of major fires or significant fires of suspicious origin:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Fourth degree arson investigation records:
RETENTION: 10 years
c. Routine fire investigation records, not covered by part “a” or “b,” above:
RETENTION: 3 years
d. Master summary record of all fire investigations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A6.[510]Fire mutual aid plan
a. Final plan, including maps and other attachments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation used in producing final plan:
RETENTION: 3 years after final plan completed
AA7.[511]Fire safety inspection records
a. Master summary record of inspections performed:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Report on inspection at school, public building, multi-family dwelling, or commercial or industrial facility and notice of violation:
RETENTION: 21 years
c. Report on inspection of single family dwelling and notice of violation:
RETENTION: 6 years
A8.[512]Fire evacuation plan, disaster response plan, fire drill report, fire safety survey, but not including mutual aid plan:
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or obsolete
A9.[513]Fire hydrant records
a. Master record of hydrant locations:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
b. Installation, repair, location, maintenance, inspection and replacement records:
RETENTION: 3 years after hydrant replaced, removed or use discontinued
A10. [516]Copies of volunteer department or organization fund-raising records, maintained by municipality or fire district:
RETENTION: 6 years
A11.[517]Volunteer Firefighter Service Awards benefit plan
a. Benefit plan (including all revisions):
RETENTION: 0 after superseded and no longer needed to determine benefits
b. Drafts and supporting documentation used in producing and updating plan:
RETENTION: 1 year
A12.[518]Annual report (“census of members”) received from Volunteer Firefighters Insurance Service (VFIS):
RETENTION: 0 after superseding report received
A13.[519] Summary records of volunteers listing credits earned and providing breakdown of types of services and how credits earned
a. Annual summary report or listing:
RETENTION: 55 years
b. Monthly or other periodic reports or listings:
RETENTION: 3 years
A14.[520]Volunteer Firefighter Service Awards records relating to individual volunteer
a. Records showing credits earned and providing breakdown of types of services and how individual earned credits:
RETENTION: 6 years after individual leaves service
b. Copy of initial and vested certificates of membership in awards plan:
RETENTION: 6 years after individual leaves service
c. Copy of application to join service awards plan and/or life insurance plan, along with declination statement and related records:
RETENTION: 6 years after individual leaves service
d. Beneficiary designation records:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
e. Records relating to individual's challenge to plan's, department's or district's assignment or of number of points earned:
RETENTION: 3 years after appeal concluded or other disagreement otherwise resolved
A15.[803]Controlled burn records, covering legally approved burning of leaves and debris permitted by fire department or district:
RETENTION: 3 years
LAW ENFORCEMENT: GENERAL
A1.[521]Incident data summary record, including blotter, “desk record book,” or equivalent record containing summary record of department or station activities:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[529]Law enforcement reports, studies or data queries, including their documentation
a. Reports, studies or queries having legal or fiscal value, such as reports covering use of equipment and personnel resources, reports on crime in specific neighborhoods or on specific kinds of criminal activity:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise records covered by part “a” for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing law enforcement activity within a municipality for specific kind of criminal activity or a given area may be valuable for long-term planning, analysis of trends in law enforcement, and for historical and other research. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Reports, studies or queries having no legal or fiscal value, such as daily activity, individual officer “diaries,” daily communications or other routine internal reports:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. Uniform Crime Reports submitted to State Division of Criminal Justice Services:
RETENTION: 1 year
d. Incident-based reports or queries:
RETENTION: 3 years
e. Report or study of law enforcement activity within municipality, generated for local law enforcement agency by county, regional or State law enforcement agency (local law enforcement agency copy):
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise records covered by parts “e” and “f” for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing law enforcement activity within a municipality or specific area may be valuable for long-term planning, analysis of trends in law enforcement, and for historical and other research. Contact SARA for additional advice.
f. Report or study of law enforcement activity within municipality, generated for local law enforcement agency by county, regional or State law enforcement agency (copy retained by county or regional creating agency):
RETENTION: 3 years
A3.[523]Case investigation record, (for adult, juvenile offender, youthful offender or juvenile delinquent) including but not limited to complaint, investigation report, arrest report, property record, and disposition of the case
a. For homicides, suicides, arson (first, second or third degree), missing persons (until located), active warrants, and stolen or missing firearms (until recovered or destroyed):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. For all felonies except those covered by parts “a” and “c”:
RETENTION: 25 years after case closed
NOTE: Appraise case investigation files for these felonies for historical and other research value, as well as for analysis of long-term trends. Contact SARA for additional advice.
c. For fourth degree arson and non-fatal accidents:
RETENTION: 10 years after case closed
d. For misdemeanor:
RETENTION: 5 years after case closed
e. When offense involved was a violation or traffic infraction:
RETENTION: 1 year after case closed
f. When investigation reveals no offense has been committed by adult:
RETENTION: 5 years
g. When individual involved was a juvenile and no arrest was made, or no offense was committed:
RETENTION: 1 year after individual attains age 18
h. Domestic incident report, created pursuant to section 140.10(5), Criminal Procedure Law, when case investigation record is created:
RETENTION: Retain for 4 years or as long as rest of case investigation report, whichever is longer
A4.[804]Master summary record of case investigation information:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed to access case investigation records
NOTE: Appraise this record for archival value. This record may supplement the incident data summary record in providing summary information on all case investigations conducted by the law enforcement agency. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A5.[524]Individual identification file, except jail or penitentiary prisoner case record, including but not limited to fingerprint cards, photographs, record sheets from other agencies, local arrest and disposition records, and miscellaneous reports
NOTE: Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Law requires that individual identification records be returned to the individual involved or destroyed when criminal actions are terminated in favor of the accused or by conviction for a noncriminal offense.
a. When offense involved was a crime (misdemeanor or felony):
RETENTION: 5 years after death of individual, or 0 after individual attains age 80, whichever is shorter, provided no arrest in the last 5 years
NOTE: Records created before establishment of the D.C.J.S. statewide automated identification system in 1966 are not duplicated at the State level and should be appraised for both archival value and ongoing legal and administrative purposes. Contact SARA for additional information.
b. When offense involved was a violation or traffic infraction:
RETENTION: 5 years
c. Digital “mug shot” file, containing digital photos and relevant accompanying data on an individual, when official copies of photos are retained in hard copy as part of part “a” or “b,” above:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Digital “mug shot” file, containing digital photos and relevant accompanying data on an individual, when official copies of photos are not retained in hard copy, must be retained as specified in part “a” or “b,” above.
NOTE: Appraise these digital files for archival, legal and administrative value. They may have long term value in criminal investigation. Contact SARA and the Division of Criminal Justice Services for additional advice.
d. Digital fingerprint file, containing digital images used to produce fingerprint cards:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
e. Photo arrays, created by combining identification photos for identification and investigative purposes:
RETENTION: Retain as long as relevant case investigation record
f. Criminal record summaries (“rap sheets”), received from Federal Bureau of Investigation or other law enforcement agency:
RETENTION: Retain most current copy as long as relevant case investigation, or 0 after superseded or obsolete if unrelated to case investigation
g. Authorized requests for criminal information contained in local government law enforcement agency records, along with response and record of action taken:
RETENTION: 6 years
A6.[805]Personal information data file
a. Data on criminals and suspects:
RETENTION: Retain data for 5 years after death of individual, or 0 after individual attains age 80, whichever is shorter, provided no arrest in the last 5 years
b. Data on associated persons, such as victims, relatives and witnesses:
RETENTION: Retain data as long as, or information as part of, relevant case investigation record
c. Documentation of updates and changes to data:
RETENTION: Retain as long as data which has been changed or updated
d. Trouble and discrepancy reports regarding personal information data:
RETENTION: 3 years
A7.[806]County- or region-wide arrest information cumulative data file, covering county- or region-wide area:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file, with superseded or corrected data maintained for 3 years after data updated
A8.[807]Profiling reports and related records, including macros, workspaces or other files (including all documentation) created in profiling process
a. Relating to specific case investigation:
RETENTION: Retain as long as relevant case investigation record
b. Not relating to specific case investigation:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
LAW ENFORCEMENT: PERSONAL PROPERTY
A1.[525]Personal property record
a. For dangerous weapon, including but not limited to receipt, identification tag, and report of destruction:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of property, or 0 after disposition of any related case investigation records, whichever is longer
NOTE: Local law enforcement officials may wish to retain these records longer for investigative or other long-term administrative purposes. See also item no. 555, below.
b. For other property, including but not limited to receipt, confiscated currency report, identification tag, and report of public auction or destruction:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of property
A2.[528]Identification records for an individual person or for number-engraved property
a. Personal identification card for an individual (Sheriff ID):
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Property number assignment register:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
c. Identification/validation records for missing or stolen property, license plates, licenses, registrations or ID cards (if not part of case investigation records):
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A3.[532]Pawn shop records, including lists of pawn shops, purchase and sale reports and reports on stolen property:
RETENTION: 5 years
4.[550]Bicycle licensing or registration record
a. When a fee is charged:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or renewal
b. When no fee is charged:
RETENTION: 1 year after expiration or renewal
LAW ENFORCEMENT: FIREARMS
A1.[553]Firearm licensing file, including application for license to sell, carry, possess, repair and dispose of firearms, and supporting records such as affidavit of character reference, and verification of reason for license
a. When application is approved:
RETENTION: 6 years after license was renewed, canceled, revoked, or expired, or after individual is known to have deceased or reached age 90
b. When application is disapproved, after any litigation is completed:
RETENTION: 6 months
2.[554]Individual firearm purchase record:
RETENTION: 6 years
A3.[555]Certificate of nondestruction of, or notice of intent to destroy, weapon or dangerous instrument, appliance, or substance, including results of New York State Police files search:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of property, or 0 after disposition of any related case investigation records, whichever is longer
NOTE: See also item no. 525, above.
A4.[557]Records of issuance of firearms or other weapons to law enforcement personnel:
RETENTION: 3 years after return or other disposition of weapon
A5.[558]Repair and maintenance records for firearms or other weapons used by law enforcement personnel:
RETENTION: 3 years after weapon no longer in use
A6.[808]Record of stolen or missing firearms:
RETENTION: 0 after all firearms are located or destroyed
LAW ENFORCEMENT: MOTOR VEHICLES (including watercraft)
A1.[544]Traffic and parking violation records, including parking, speeding or other appearance ticket (other than court's copy); officer's supporting deposition; parking violation hearing records; “boot and tow” records; and related records:
RETENTION: 2 years after any litigation has been completed
A2. [548]Speed-timing records
a. Original record produced by radar or other speed-timing device:
RETENTION: 2 years after any litigation has been completed
b. Records of use of speed-timing, such as radar activity log and reports of speed monitoring:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: These records may have long-term value in transportation planning, in providing information on average and excessive speeds for specific road segments.
c. Calibration and other quality control and testing records for speed-timing devices:
RETENTION: 3 years after device no longer in use
A3.[545]Vehicle accident case record, including vehicle accident report and related records, after any litigation has been completed:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after youngest individual involved attains age 18, whichever is longer
NOTE: This item does not cover the case investigation record. See item no. 523, above.
A4.[546]Vehicle history files, including information on specific vehicles or vehicle models, including those which have been involved in accidents or used in the commission of crimes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A5.[547]Individual's driving and accident records
a. Order, report, or notice concerning vehicle operator's license or registration, including but not limited to order of suspension or revocation of license, notice of compliance with order of suspension or revocation, notice of noncompliance, notice of restoration of license, and report of lost or stolen plates:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Driver's summary record of accidents, violations and other activities:
RETENTION: 0 after death of individual, or 90 years after date of birth, if death not verified
A6.[549]Impounded or abandoned vehicle record, including but not limited to impound report, tow-away notice to owner, request for information to determine the last owner, notice to owner and lien holder(s) that vehicle has been taken into custody as abandoned, affidavit stating how ownership was acquired by municipality, transfer of ownership document, and bill of sale:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of vehicle by local government
7.[551]Reports or other records of repossessed vehicles, not impounded by law enforcement agency:
RETENTION: 1 year
A8.[552]Vehicle towing records
a. Lists of companies available for towing vehicles:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
b. Contract or agreement with towing firm:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or termination
A9.[809]Driver-vehicle examination report or equivalent record, created when local law enforcement agency conducts motor carrier safety inspection:
RETENTION: 7 years
A10.[810]Motor vehicle accident and other summary data, reports and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. These records may be useful in providing summary information on all motor vehicle accidents, and may reveal long-term trends and accident-prone areas and vehicles. Contact SARA for additional advice.
LAW-ENFORCEMENT: INCARCERATION
A1.[537]Master summary record of all prisoners committed and discharged:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[811]Prisoner data file:
RETENTION: Maintain data for each prisoner 15 years after death or discharge of that prisoner
NOTE: If this record takes the place of the master summary record (item no. 537, above) then it must be retained permanently.
A3.[538]Prisoner case record
a. Case records, including but not limited to commitment, general information history, presentence investigation reports, record sheets from other agencies, record of personal property taken from prisoner upon commitment, record of letters written and received, copies of general correspondence concerning prisoner, reports of infractions of rules, prisoner's health records, and suicide prevention screening records, but not including commissary records:
RETENTION: 15 years after death or discharge of prisoner
b. Commissary records, including listing of items requested by prisoner, and prisoner transaction record:
RETENTION: 3 years
A4.[539]Facility housing supervision records, including prisoners' activities log, including such information as identities of visitors, prisoners' phone calls and mail, and records of visits to cells by officers checking on condition of prisoners:
RETENTION: 3 years
A5.[540]Prisoners' periodic work report listing names of prisoners by work assignments:
RETENTION: 3 years after all prisoners listed were discharged
A6.[541]Complaint or incident report involving alleged prisoner abuse, injury, or similar occurrence showing description of the problem, identifying the individuals involved and stating the action taken, after any litigation has been completed:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 0 after individual involved attains age 21, whichever is longer
A7.[542]Inspection, audit and other reports or studies, conducted by New York State Commission of Correction or other State or local agency, covering such subjects as jail conditions, compliance with State standards, and prisoner fatalities:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. Local officials should retain permanently any reports or studies documenting serious incidents or problems, such as prisoner fatalities. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A8.[543]Reports relating to local correctional facility or lock-up
a. Reports containing legal and fiscal information:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. Reports and studies analyzing facility prisoners, occupancy or conditions may be useful for long-term planning, analysis of trends in law enforcement, and for historical and other research. Contact SARA for additional advice.
b. Reports of short-term internal administrative value:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A9.[812]Population counts, including daily census of prisoners:
RETENTION: 3 years
A10.[813]Visitation records, including schedule of visits and visitor identification information:
RETENTION: 3 years
A11.[814]Dietary services records
a. Food service records, including meal counts, roster of prisoners' dietorders, and dietary services studies:
RETENTION: 3 years
b. Menus:
RETENTION: 1 year
A12.[815]Health and sanitation inspection and related records, including records of action taken to correct any problems:
RETENTION: 6 years
A13.[816]Review and censorship records for incoming printed materials and publications, including evaluations by staff and suitability determinations:
RETENTION: 3 years
A14.[817]Prisoner exercise records, including schedule of exercise periods, results of exercise area searches and explanation of any limitations of exercise:
RETENTION: 3 years
A15.[818]Application of change in maximum facility capacity, including determination from New York State Commission of Correction, facility staffing determinations, and related records
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded by subsequent change in capacity
A16.[819]Substitute jail order issued by New York State Commission of Correction, authorizing the confinement of some of all prisoners in another correctional facility, and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. These records may provide important information on conditions at the correctional facility which warrant the moving of prisoner(s) to another facility. Contact SARA for additional advice.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: MISCELLANEOUS
A1.[522]Warrant execution and subpoena or summons service records
a. Original signature copies of arrest and other warrants executed by law enforcement agency:
RETENTION: 5 years after warrant executed or recalled
b. Other warrant related records, including copies without original signatures and warrant control records:
RETENTION: 5 years after date of most recent entry in record
c. Copies of subpoenas and summonses, and records of their service:
RETENTION: 2 years
d. Warrant information file:
RETENTION: Maintain data on each warrant as long as that warrant is valid
A2.[820]Domestic violence records, covering single or multiple incidents, not relating to specific case investigation records, including domestic incident report, created pursuant to section 140.10(5), Criminal Procedure Law, when no case investigation record is created.
RETENTION: 4 years
3.[535] Results of alcohol and drug tests administered by law enforcement personnel, when not included in case investigation records:
RETENTION: 5 years
A4.[526]Escort service record, including activities such as funeral, parade, military escort, escorting prisoner to and from court or jail, and delivery of blood to hospital:
RETENTION: 3 years
5.[527]Vacant place check record, including vacant houses and other places to be checked during patrols:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
A6.[530] Alcoholic beverage establishment sale and use reports, including checks of New York State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violations:
RETENTION: 5 years
A7.[531]Parolee and sex offender records
a. Lists of parolees or sex offenders living within a jurisdiction:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
b. Detailed records on individual parolee or sex offender:
RETENTION: 0 after person's parole terminated
NOTE: This does not include records created pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act, which are covered by items nos. 821 and 822, immediately below.
A8.[821]Subdirectory of High-Risk (Level 3) Sex offenders:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded
NOTE: The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) strongly recommends the destruction of superseded information as soon as superseding information is received.
A9.[822]Sex offender registration records, including but not limited to official notification upon registration, change of address information, determination of final risk level, notification of error or change in jurisdiction, notification that offender is no longer registerable, annual address verification, 90-day personal verification (for level 3 offenders), and community notification information
a. For level 1 or 2 offender, when offender remains in local law enforcement agency's jurisdiction:
RETENTION: 0 after death of individual, or 5 years after completion of registration period, whichever is earlier
b. For level 1 or 2 offender, when offender has left local law enforcement agency's jurisdiction:
RETENTION: 0 after death of individual, or 5 years after offender leaves that jurisdiction, whichever is earlier
c. For level 3 offender, when offender remains in local law enforcement agency's jurisdiction:
RETENTION: 0 after death of individual, or individual attains age 100
d. For level 3 offender, when offender has left local law enforcement agency's jurisdiction:
RETENTION: 0 after death of individual, or 5 years after offender leaves that jurisdiction, whichever is earlier
A10.[533] Missing person records
a. Missing person files, covering any records not included in case investigation records:
RETENTION: 10 years, or 0 after individual attains age 90, whichever is longer
b. Validation records, received from and submitted to State Division of Criminal Justice Services (D.C.J.S.):
RETENTION: 6 months
A11.[823]Video tape or other recording of booking or arrest processing
a. When litigation and/or criminal proceedings have commenced:
RETENTION: 3 years, but not until any individual has attained age 21, and not until 1 year after any litigation or criminal proceedings have concluded
b. When litigation and/or criminal proceedings have not commenced:
RETENTION: 3 years, but not until any individual has attained age 21
A12.[824]Copy of order of protection, filed with local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, pursuant to article 530, Criminal Procedure Law, and related records
a. Copy of order of protection:
RETENTION: 6 months after order expires or otherwise becomes invalid
b. List or similar record of orders of protection in effect in local jurisdiction:
RETENTION: Maintain data on each order as long as that order is valid
A13.[825]Video tape or other recording taken from mobile unit
a. When recording relates to specific case investigation:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the case investigation to which the recording relates is retained
b. When recording does not relate to specific case investigation, such as routine traffic stop:
RETENTION: 6 months
NOTE: Recordings of potentially important incidents may warrant longer retention for legal reasons, even if no case investigation has been initiated. Local law enforcement agencies should carefully review these recordings before destroying or reusing them. In addition, recordings of specific pursuits, arrest and other serious incidents should be appraised for archival or long-term administrative value. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA14.[536]Child abuse or maltreatment reports and related records, reporting law enforcement agency copy, when not included in case investigation record:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: This item covers copies of child abuse and maltreatment reports and related records retained by law enforcement agencies reporting suspected abuse and maltreatment to the State Central Register or to child protective services units of county social services departments. If these records are included in case investigation records, see item no. 523.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: N.Y.S.P.I.N. AND RELATED RECORDS
A1.[826]Lists and posters showing “most wanted” persons, and all points bulletins (APBs):
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or no longer needed
A2.[827]N.Y.S.P.I.N. validation records, including monthly print-out received from New York State Police and related system entry validation records:
RETENTION: 13 months from date report received
A3.[828]N.Y.S.P.I.N. system purging records, including “purge reports” received from New York State Police and records relating to data reentry:
RETENTION: 0 after any necessary data reentry completed
A4.[829]N.Y.S.P.I.N. message records, covering any messages sent or received over N.Y.S.P.I.N. system:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: The State Archives and the State Police strongly recommend that local law enforcement agencies consider retaining significant messages as part of case investigation records.
A5.[830]Daily “archive” information retained in electronic format (on diskettes) from N.Y.S.P.I.N. system:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: The State Archives and the State Police strongly recommend that local law enforcement agencies consider retaining archive diskette data as long as may be needed for convenience of reference.
A6.[831]Log of all transactions, covering all data entry into N.Y.S.P.I.N. system:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: The State Archives and the State Police strongly recommend that local law enforcement agencies consider retaining electronic logs as long as may be needed for convenience of reference.
A7.[832]Individual person's authorization to use the N.Y.S.P.I.N. system
a. Records created by local law enforcement agency, including records of individual's training and acknowledgment of test results:
RETENTION: 0 after individual no longer authorized to use the system
b. Listing of authorized individuals, received from State Police:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A8.[833]Miscellaneous paper records created from former version of N.Y.S.P.I.N. system in use prior to 1996:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
Schedule MU-1
 
Recreation
RECREATION
PARKS, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CIVIC CENTERS
A1.[569]Participation, attendance, or enrollment records for park, recreational facility, camp, civic center, or club
a. Summary record or report:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Records of original entry, including worksheets, used admission tickets and ticket stubs:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 1 year after posting to summary record or report, whichever is shorter
c. Statement of disposition of unused tickets, when a fee is charged:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA2.[570]Park, recreational facility, civic center, or club permits, granted to individual or family, including but not limited to application, affidavit, and copy of stub or license
a. Permit records, when a fee is charged:
RETENTION: 0 after invalid, but not less than 6 years
b. Permit records, when no fee is charged:
RETENTION: 0 after invalid, but not less than 1 year
c. Lease or rental agreement for marina slip:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration, termination or denial
d. Records of dispensing of fuel or other goods or services at marina:
RETENTION: 6 years
A3.[571]Parental consent records allowing child's participation in recreational activities, including authorization for medical treatment:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after child attains age 18, whichever is longer
A4. [572]Planning and development records covering such topics as facility construction, improvement and usage:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Construction records for recreation facilities are covered by item no. 478 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Final reports and studies, especially for major facilities and significant programs, may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A5.[573]Special event file, including but not limited to official copy of any program or promotional literature, or photographs of events or performances, background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Official copies of programs or promotional literature, or photographs of significant events or performances, may have continuing value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
A6.[574]Athletic program records
a. Lists of athletes or participants, records of competitions, and other records except scouting records and scouting and training videotapes:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Official score and record books, team and action photographs and videotapes of and programs for significant competitions may have historical value in documenting community- based amateur athletics. Records with historical value should be retained permanently.
NOTE: Parental consents are covered by item no. 571, above.
b. Scouting reports and videotapes used for scouting and training purposes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
A7.[834]Field trip records, including but not limited to trip request data; bus driver, staff and chaperone assignments; list of attendees and trip reports:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of most recent entry
A8.[835]Bus or other vehicle use file, covering school bus or other vehicle used for transporting persons involved in recreational activities, including but not limited to copies of contracts, certificates of insurance, driver information, daily logs or other reports, and copies of applicable rules and regulations:
RETENTION: 6 years
A9.[836]Applications for individual acceptance to camp, or participation in specific recreational programs and activities
a. If applicant is accepted or allowed to participate, and a fee is charged:
RETENTION: 6 years after attendance or participation ends
b. If applicant is accepted or allowed to participate, and no fee is charged:
RETENTION: 3 years after attendance or participation ends
c. If applicant is not accepted:
RETENTION: 3 years
MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
(M.R. & D.D.) RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
1.[575]Master summary record of participants in M.R. & D.D. recreation program:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
2.[576]Case record of participant in M.R. & D.D. recreational program, including individual registration, medical evaluation, social development evaluation, intake/screening report and discharge evaluation:
RETENTION: 6 years after participation ends, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
CAMPS
A1.[837]Facility information data record containing basic data on camp facilities:
RETENTION: 6 years after facility no longer exists
AA2.[838]Permits and approvals to operate camp, covering pool, beach, food service and all related permits, including applications and related materials:
RETENTION: 3 years after approval, denial or withdrawal of permit or application
A3.[839]Reports of camp operation and inspection, including facility safety, health and food service reports:
RETENTION: 21 years
A4.[840]Routine reports, including analysis of pool or beach water samples:
RETENTION: 1 year
A5.[841]Health records for individual camper:
RETENTION: 6 years, but not less than 3 years after camper attains age 18
A6.[842]Log of list of illnesses, accidents, injuries or other health and safety related incidents
a. When information is also contained in individual health records files:
RETENTION: 1 year
b. When information is not contained in individuals health records files:
RETENTION: 6 years, but not less than 3 years after youngest person listed in record attains age 18
A7.[843]Food management records
a. Program participation agreement, including attachments and amendments:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of agreement
b. Other program records, including but not limited to application to participate as a sponsor, individual child participation application records, requisition and approval of requisition for donated commodities, and fiscal records such as adding machine tapes, purchase orders, claims and vouchers:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Free and reduced meal policy statement, with attachments and certificate of acceptance:
RETENTION: 3 years after policy superseded
d. Meal counts and dietary services studies:
RETENTION: 3 years
e. Menus:
RETENTION: 1 year
A8.[844]Food inspection and investigation records, including inspection report for preparation or serving area and food sanitation complaint investigation records
a. When any significant problem is encountered
RETENTION: 21 years
b. When no significant problem is encountered
RETENTION: 3 years
A9.[845]Scholarship records including but not limited to applications, recommendations, authorization of awards, financial statements, accounting data, list of scholarships awarded campers, and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Social Services/Welfare/Poor Relief
SOCIAL SERVICES/WELFARE/POOR RELIEF
1.[577]Overseers of the poor records, including accounts, reports, claims, indentures and records of relief granted:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
2.[578]Monthly or other periodic reports, submitted by town or city welfare officer to local governing body or county social services department:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[579]Social services case record, including but not limited to application for assistance or services, eligibility forms, case history or equivalent narrative record, authorization of assistance or services, record of assistance or service provided and correspondence
a. Where first entry dates from 1972 or earlier:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Where first entry is 1973 or later:
RETENTION: 6 years after case closed, but not until any minor involved attains age 28
A4.[846]City veterans' relief records, including but not limited to records of supplies or services provided veterans, home relief order, payment vouchers and lists of supplies purchased from vendors:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
Schedule MU-1
 
Supervisor, Mayor, Manager, and/or Administrator
SUPERVISOR, MAYOR, MANAGER,
AND/OR ADMINISTRATOR
1.[581]Supervisor, Mayor, Manager, or Administrator's office files, including but not limited to correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, publicity items, contracts, and other legal documents
a. Where file documents a significant subject, or major policy-making or program-development process:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Where file documents routine activity:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Taxation and Assessment
TAXATION AND ASSESSMENT
REAL PROPERTY TAXATION/ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS
NOTE: Some municipalities in the State use automated systems to keep track of various functions of their offices regarding taxation and assessment. These systems, which we are referring to generically as “Real Property Taxation/Assessment Systems,” contain information in such areas as valuation, basic property information, comparable sales, grievances, and tax collection. In general, these systems do not replace existing hard copy-based systems, but do create some of the forms and other paper records in these files. In addition, these systems contain data files and other electronic records not found in manual systems. The items below are meant to cover not only electronic records contained in these automated systems, but also maps, reports and other system output maintained in both traditional hard copy and electronic format as well.
More importantly, these systems often contain summary information on specific parcels of real property, including improvements located on them. The taxation/assessment history data file, listed below, may contain retrospective information on ownership, sales, land use, property characteristics and structures for a single for parcel of property over a period of time.
These systems include the “RPS” system developed by the New York State Office of Real Property Services (ORPS), as well as locally-developed and commercially-obtained systems, some of which take the place of the RPS system and others which incorporate or utilize RPS system data. While the RPS system software is developed by a State agency, system files which contain information entered by a local government are considered local government records.
A1.[847]Real property history data file contained in taxation/assessment data system, and related records, created for informational and reference purposes, containing summary and/or cumulative historical information on such areas as property ownership, sales, land use, property characteristics and structures:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Counties and municipalities should consider permanent retention of these real property taxation/assessment history data files for all parcels of property. This information may be useful for long-range planning purposes, mass reappraisal, and for community, urban planning and architectural history research. More importantly, this data provides for ease of access to summary data or individual parcels of real property and the structures located on them. In addition, this data file may be used to access more detailed records maintained in electronic data output or maps, plans, permits and other paper records in inactive storage. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A2.[848]Real property current data file contained in taxation/assessment data system (either RPS or equivalent system), and related records, containing current information on such areas as property ownership, sales, land use, property characteristics and structures:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed, but not less than 4 years
NOTE: Counties and municipalities should consider permanent retention of the basic data elements of these real property taxation/assessment systems for all parcels of property. These data elements may be outputted in electronic, paper, microfilm or other format, or may be transferred to an automated real property history data file (see item no. 847, above). Contact SARA for additional advice.
NOTE: A series of interrelated and inseparable files currently contained in the RPS system hold both summary and detailed taxation/assessment data. This Schedule treats these files as one record.
A3.[606]Master summary record of real property transfers within municipality:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed, but not less than 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance. These records, compiled from real property transfer reports received from the county, may have continuing value for historical or other research. Contact SARA for additional advice.
A4.[849]Street address/parcel number authority data file, used to supply this or other system with accurate, up-to-date information on real property tax parcel numbers, property owners' names and addresses, parcel sizes, E-911 or other street addresses, or to correlate multiple addressing and/or parcel numbering systems:
RETENTION: Maintain as updated data file as long as address and/or parcel numbering system(s) the file contains are in use, and as long as necessary to access records identified by previous address or numbering systems.
A5.[850]Final assessment roll sequential master backup file (sometimes known as “taxable status” file), produced annually by RPS or equivalent system, containing assessment data submitted to the State Office of Real Property Services:
RETENTION: 10 years after filing of related assessment roll
NOTE: This data may have secondary value beyond the purpose for which it is created, if it can serve as a “snapshot” of assessment data, and no other annual snapshot is created. This record may be valuable in place of or in conjunction with an automated real property history data file. Contact SARA for additional advice on the maintenance and uses of these records.
A6.[851]Lists, reports, studies, special projects and analyses created from data contained in one or more data files in real property taxation/assessment system or subsystem
a. Final reports and studies resulting from analysis of system data, containing significant information on real property and structures located thereon, used for such purposes as long-range planning, reappraisal, or historical preservation:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after project completed, or after date of final entry in record
c. Preliminary reports and studies resulting from analysis of system data, containing routine information on real property and structures located thereon, or used to produce final reports and studies, as well as lists, logs or other internal information records:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
A1.[582]Assessor's field data, including field book and automated field assessment data file, containing assessor's notes and computations used in determining property valuation:
RETENTION: 4 years after last entry
2.[583]Property assessment record card or equivalent master summary record of improvements and alterations to unit of real property, and resulting valuation and assessment:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A3.[852]Physical inventory and property description detailed data file, used to produce property assessment record card or equivalent record, containing detailed property description (and sometimes related valuation) information as well as photographic images and outline sketches of properties and structures located on them:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed, but not less than 4 years
NOTE: Counties and municipalities should consider permanent retention of these detailed property description data files for all parcels of property. This information may be very useful for community, urban planning and architectural history research. If this is not feasible, then SARA strongly recommends that the most important data elements be preserved either in the system or output to “history” files, reports or other system output. Images contained in the system may be particularly valuable for architectural, community and historical research. Contact SARA for additional advice on the creation and maintenance of these records.
A4.[584]Records used in determining property valuation, including but not limited to property valuation detailed data file, used to conduct analyses and perform computations necessary for valuation or revaluation of property; detailed property description; file content sheet; inventory content sheet, comparative property valuations; comparative sales records and comparables and/or sales data file; standard valuation criteria data and copies of building and zoning records:
RETENTION: 4 years after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: If the file content sheet is merely used for posting information on assessment changes, it is covered by item no. 26 in the General section.
A5.[853]Mass reappraisal records
a. Final or justification reports or studies, created or received as part of mass appraisal process:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Detailed data, cost tables, preliminary reports and computations created or received as part of mass appraisal process:
RETENTION: 4 years
A6.[854]Questionnaires and data mailings sent to property owners, used to update information and to verify assessment and property description information maintained by local government:
RETENTION: 1 year after any necessary changes are posted to official records
7.[585]Railroad ceiling and special franchise assessment determination records
a. Annual certificate of State-determined ceiling or assessment:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Railroad ceiling and special franchise assessment records, other than annual certificate, including but not limited to notice of tentative ceiling or assessment, and record of apportionment to districts:
RETENTION: 3 years
A8.[586]Equalization rate records
a. Certificate of final equalization rate, as determined by New York State Office of Real Property Services:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Equalization rate determination records other than certificate of final rate, including but not limited to notice of tentative rate, data submitted and reports submitted to State Office of Real Property Services:
RETENTION: 3 years
A9.[587]Tax maps, including updates and revisions
a. Official copy of map created by or for municipality:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Copy of map, held by municipality which conducts assessments, where official copy is held by county:
RETENTION: 10 years after filing
c. Copy of map, held by local government which does not conduct assessments, where official copy is held by county or municipality:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
d. Certification of municipality's proper maintenance of tax maps:
RETENTION: 2 years
e. Property index cards, supplemental data and background files, used in tax map preparation and maintenance:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Property index cards and related records may contain retrospective sales and other property history information, which may be very valuable if the same information is not contained in a real property history file.
A10.[588]Tax determination records for State-owned lands subject to taxation, including certificate of tax payable, working papers, correspondence, and reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance. Certain records describing State-owned property, determining the amount of tax payable and concerning specific uses of State lands which are a matter of public concern may merit permanent retention. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
AA11.[589]Tax exemption or abatement file covering veterans, aged, School Tax Relief Program (STAR), nonprofit organizations, new business, conservation easements and other exemptions or abatements
a. Original detailed application and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration of exemption or abatement
b. Renewal applications, routine correspondence and memoranda (when original detailed application is maintained):
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Application denial records, including results of hearing:
RETENTION: 6 years after final determination
d. Forms used to report social security numbers/taxpayer identification numbers and not containing other substantive information, for use in income verification programs:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
12.[590]Assessment/tax grievance file, including but not limited to application for re-evaluation, copy of advisory appraisal, petition, statement of complaint, copy of hearing results and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after final determination
NOTE: Minutes of the Assessment Board of Review must be retained permanently. See item no. 1 in the General section.
A13.[855]Copies of tax grievance or judicial assessment review records received by school districts, non-assessing villages and counties, including but not limited to copies of petition and notice filed pursuant to sections 708(3) and 730(8), Real Property Tax Law:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: The receiving agency may wish to retain these records longer if the grievance or judicial assessment review may involve a substantial potential future tax refund.
14.[591]Agricultural land assessment records, including but not limited to application for agricultural value assessment and correspondence
a. For lands within agricultural district:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. For lands outside of agricultural district:
RETENTION: 20 years
15.[592]Assessor's annual report, created and filed pursuant to Part 193-3, 9 NYCRR, Subtitle F:
RETENTION: 10 years
ASSESSMENT ROLL/TAX ROLL
1.[593]Working papers or other intermediary records used in preparation of, or in posting changes to, assessment roll or tax roll, including but not limited to assessor's notes, Record of Taxable Status and automated data file:
RETENTION: 3 years after filing of roll
2.[594]Assessment and tax rolls (including records relating to correction of errors on assessment and/or tax rolls)
a. Tentative assessment roll:
RETENTION: 5 years after filing
b. Final assessment roll:
RETENTION: 10 years after filing
NOTE: While information contained in final assessment rolls or non-warrant tax rolls is maintained permanently by counties, these records are frequently consulted at the municipal level for administrative and research purposes. SARA recommends that municipalities retain these permanently if long-term needs exist to consult these records.
c. Warrant copy of tax roll, including warrant or levy to collect taxes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
d. Non-warrant copy of tax roll, when warrant copy is retained permanently:
RETENTION: 1 year after filing
e. Abstract of tax roll:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
TAX COLLECTION
A1.[595]Tax collection records
a. Tax collection data file, returned copy of tax bill, copy of receipt issued taxpayer, collector's daily accounts, receiving office tapes, records of overpayment, rebate or refund, record or notice of payment of post-due taxes, report on tax monies collected, request for extension of time to collect taxes, and similar records:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Tax collection history data, containing summary tax collection history information, created from tax collection data file:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. This data may be useful for a number of years for convenience of reference, and may possibly have long-term historical value.
c. Documentation of regular updates or corrections made to tax collection data file:
RETENTION: 6 years
A2.[596]Statement or list of unpaid taxes or taxes due, or other lists, reports or studies relating to tax collection:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[597]Tax escrow account records
a. Notification of creation, transfer or termination of escrow account, when original record is maintained by county:
RETENTION: 1 year after transfer or termination of account
b. Notification of creation, transfer or termination of escrow account, when original record is not maintained by county:
RETENTION: 6 years after transfer or termination of account
c. List of tax escrow accounts:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
TAX REDEMPTIONS AND SALES
A1.[598]Master summary record of real property tax lien sales:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[599]Real property tax lien sale records
a. Official copy of tax lien sale (or auction) list or catalog:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Official copy of notice of sale and proof of publication:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
c. Letter notifying owner, mortgagee, lien-holder or any other “interested party” of the forthcoming sale and proof of personal delivery of letter of notification (by process server), or proof of delivery and receipt via certified or registered mail:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
d. Tax lien sale records, including but not limited to tax lien foreclosure and sale data file, copy of deed, bids, abstract of sale, memoranda and correspondence, documentation of regular updates or corrections made to tax lien data file, except letter of notification, proof of delivery and receipt of letter of notification, sale book and official copy of notice of sale, proof of publication, sale (or auction) catalog or list:
RETENTION: 6 years after sale
3.[600]Master summary record (register, log or index file) of real property tax lien redemptions and/or discharges:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A4.[601]Real property tax lien redemption records, including but not limited to notice of foreclosure, certificate of redemption, record of payment of tax and penalties, memoranda and correspondence, except master summary record:
RETENTION: 6 years after redemption or discharge of lien
NOTE: These records may have value in documenting title to real property. The State Archives suggests that these records be evaluated, in conjunction with the master summary record, above, before disposition take place.
MISCELLANEOUS
AA1.[602]Real property transfer report, including copy of deed, submitted to New York State Office of Real Property Services (covers form LA 23, EA 5217 or equivalents)
a. For all local governments except non-assessing villages:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. For non-assessing villages:
RETENTION: 1 year after subsequent assessment roll finalized by town or county
A2.[603]Informational listing or index used in relation to taxation and assessment, including but not limited to lists of property owners, real estate transfers, address changes, exempt properties, filed grievances, tax redemptions, notice of bankruptcy or foreclosure proceeding, and billing addresses:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
3.[604]Records of apportionment of tax monies
a. Annual certificate of apportionment sent to municipality or district:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Apportionment records, except annual certificates:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[605]Tax search record, including but not limited to record of searches conducted, abstract of search results, correspondence and memoranda:
RETENTION: 6 years
5.[607]Tax levy and tax rate determination records, including computation of constitutional tax margin and statement filed with State Comptroller's Office:
RETENTION: 6 years
Schedule MU-1
 
Transportation and Engineering
TRANSPORTATION AND ENGINEERING
AIRPORT
NOTE: Changes in recordation and recordkeeping requirements for airports are likely to occur during and after the time this Schedule is being finalized for publication. The State Archives will notify local governments which operate airports of any new State or Federal records retention requirements. Conversely, these local governments should inform the State Archives when they become aware of any such requirements, or when any records not covered by this schedule are received or created.
AA1.[608]Operation certification records, involving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
a. Operating certificate, application for certification and FAA inspection reports relating to certification, operational manual (including all updates):
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Security-related and other mandates and circulars received from the FAA, along with any related correspondence, dealing with significant issues:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
c. Security-related and other mandates and circulars received from the FAA, along with any related correspondence, not dealing with significant issues:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded, obsolete or no longer needed
AA2.[609]Airport security and safety records
a. Security or safety inspection records, which contain non-routine information or indicate need for maintenance, repairs, or changes in airport operational policies:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Inspection records documenting serious problems or conditions may have historical value and may merit permanent retention. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Records of routine inspections performed at airport, where longer retention is not necessary for administrative, fiscal or legal reasons:
RETENTION: 1 year
c. Other security records, including but not limited to visitor's register, security officers' logs or reports, automated security system reports, false alarm reports, and records of security videotape review:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Record documenting potentially important incidents may warrant longer retention for legal reasons. Airport officials should carefully review these records before destroying them. Original records may need to be retained longer than 3 years even if posted to summary records. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
d. Summary security records, including periodic reports:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA3.[610]Airport tenant legal and reference files
a. Contract negotiations, contracts, leases and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration, revocation or renewal
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. These records may document the important roles these facilities play in the economic development of the community. In such cases, these records may have continuing value for historical or other research meriting their permanent retention. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Correspondence, including but not limited to complaints about tenants:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Informational materials, including but not limited to lists of tenants' employees, sample of airline schedules, brochures and advertising materials:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete
NOTE: For copies of actual airline schedules, see item no. 902, below.
d. Airline employee security background check, security clearance, and identification records:
RETENTION: 6 years after employee no longer employed at airport
AA4.[611]Airport incident or accident reports
a. Incident data summary record recording incidents or accidents at airport:
RETENTION: 3 years after last entry
b. Incident or accident report and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records documenting serious incidents or accidents have historical value and may merit permanent retention. (For disaster files, see also item no. 74 in the Civil Defense/Disaster Preparedness section.) Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA5.[901]Accreditation records for airport personnel, accredited by American Association of Airports, Airports Council International, or other organization
a. Accreditation records relating to individuals:
RETENTION: 6 years after termination of service
b. Other records, including lists of accredited individuals:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
AA6.[902]Airline/airport schedule and usage records, such as those received from airlines or the FAA, including monthly reports, passenger counts, cargo and load records
a. Summary records, and records containing information with fiscal or legal implications:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Summary records may have historical value in documenting airport activity and may merit permanent retention. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Routine records, not containing information with fiscal or legal implications:
RETENTION: 1 year
NOTE: Data and related records submitted to and received from the New York State Department of Transportation relative to financial assistance and grant applications is covered by item no. 13b in the General section.
AA7.[903]Fuel (jet fuel and service vehicle fuel), de-icer or other chemical storage and dispensing records for airport
a. Consumption and dispensing records for fuel, oil, or similar products used by service vehicles, equipment or airplanes:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Summary records may have historical value in documenting the use of fuel and other chemicals at airports and may merit permanent retention. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Substance testing records:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Approvals from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (or other agency) for storage and dispensing of fuel and other substances:
RETENTION: 7 years after expiration or termination of approval or denial of application
d. Records relating to non-significant leakage, spillage and runoff:
RETENTION: 6 years
e. Records relating to significant leakage, spillage and runoff, or any leakage from underground storage tanks:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
NOTE: For other petroleum bulk storage records, see item no. 493 in the Public Property and Equipment section.
f. Plans to control leakage, spillage, or runoff, or to deal with accidents and emergencies:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
HIGHWAY, ENGINEERING, AND PUBLIC WORKS
NOTE: Records relating to water, wastewater, and landfill projects may be found in the Environmental Health section. Records relating to publicly owned property may be found in the Public Property and Equipment section.
NOTE: Certain records found in this section may be needed for litigation involving personal injury incurred by minors. Where appropriate, these records should be retained for 3 years after the individual involved attains age 18, even if the specified retention period has expired.
A1.[613]Highway or other transportation structure maintenance and repair records covering routine maintenance and repair activities and pavement marking:
RETENTION: 6 years
2.[614]Snow and ice removal records, including log or report of weather conditions:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA3.[615]Highway or transportation structure history file containing summary information on highways, roads, streets, bridges, elevated railways, overpasses, underpasses, culverts, and other structures, except records covering routine maintenance and repair activities:
a. All records in file, except draft or intermediary records documenting other than significant changes and those closely duplicating other records in file:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Draft or intermediary records documenting other than significant changes, or closely duplicating other records in file:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA4.[616]Project file for capital transportation improvement covering highways, roads, streets, bridges, other structures, parking lots and garages, and public transportation system improvements
a. Feasibility studies; successful bids; plans, specifications and designs; project description; in-progress and completion photographs inspection reports; environmental impact statement; annual project statement; fiscal and other final reports, and significant correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after highway or structure no longer exists or is abandoned
b. Supplementary documentation, including application for assistance, project budget, interim fiscal reports, claims contract, vouchers, work orders, memoranda, worksheet, routine correspondence and detailed construction specifications:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry in project file
c. Unsuccessful bids:
RETENTION: 6 years after bid rejected
d. All records, when project is proposed but not undertaken:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: For additional plans, maps, designs, sketches, designs, architectural drawings and photographs of buildings and facilities, see item nos. 618 and 904, below.
5.[617]Master summary record (index, log or register) of transportation improvement projects:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA6.[618]Official maps, plans, diagrams, drawings, photographs, surveys, engineering and survey notes, detailed specifications, profiles or cross-sections of highways, roads, streets, bridges, or other structures including indices or finding aids, when not relating to specific project design files, covered by item no. 904, immediately below
a. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for significant highway or structure:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for other than significant highway or structure:
RETENTION: 6 years after structure no longer exists
c. Other related non-graphic design file documents, including correspondence, cost estimates, reports, planning studies and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project
NOTE: Some of these non-graphic documents may need to be retained for 6 years after the highway or structure no longer exists, if they document significant changes with long-term fiscal and other implications. Local governments should review these records for these possible uses prior to disposition.
d. Template or other similar automated framework or reference files used in conjunction with more specific automated design files:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the related specific automated design files are retained
e. Index or similar record used to locate, identify and access plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings, photographs and other existing records:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file or other record, deleting information only relating to records that have been disposed of
AA7.[904]Design file for capital transportation improvement project, including plans, maps, designs, sketches, designs, architectural drawings, and photographs for highways and other transportation structures maintained by local government
a. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for significant highway or structure:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Final or "as built" plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings and photographs, for other than significant highway or structure:
RETENTION: 6 years after highway or structure no longer exists
c. Detailed schematic drawings, not covered by part "a" or "b," including detailed specifications not appearing on plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings:
RETENTION: 6 years after highway or structure no longer exists
d. Other related non-graphic design file documents, including correspondence, cost estimates, reports, planning studies and other records:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of project
NOTE: Some of these non-graphic documents may need to be retained for 6 years after the highway or structure no longer exists, if they document significant changes with long-term fiscal and other implications. Local governments should review these records for these possible uses prior to disposition.
e. Template or other similar automated framework or reference files used in conjunction with more specific automated design files:
RETENTION: Retain as long as the related specific automated design files are retained
f. Index or similar record used to locate, identify and access plans, maps, designs, sketches, architectural drawings, photographs and other existing records:
RETENTION: Maintain as perpetual data file or other record, deleting information only relating to records that have been disposed of
AA8.[905]Highway, road, street or transportation structure management automated maintenance, repair and inspection system records, also containing information such as on motor vehicle accidents, highway safety, highway-related permits, complaints and requests for service
NOTE: This does not apply to automated systems used by public transportation systems, see item no. 908 in the Public Transportation subsection, below.
a. Detailed data file containing information such as on maintenance and repairs:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Because of the amount of detailed data collected by such systems, such data may only be maintained online for a limited period of time. Some of this data may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements, unless official copies are maintained outside the system and are disposed consistent with item nos. 613, 614, 623, 625, 627, 628, and 630 in this section. It is recommended that local officials store this data offline long enough to meet audit or any other requirements. Also, maintenance of a history file (see below) containing the most significant data elements may satisfy these administrative and legal needs.
b. Automated system operation history file, containing significant data and/or periodic data snapshots, generated from detailed system data:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. History files may contain valuable information to document highway, road, street or transportation structure management over a period of time. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
c. Logs, schedule, reports, and queries (including macros, queries and necessary documentation used in report and query generation), which contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Logs, schedules, reports, and queries (including macros, queries and necessary documentation used in report and query generation), which do not contain information of legal or fiscal value, such as when no work is performed and no funds expended:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
e. Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) street/road data file used as base maps for system operation, derived from official G.I.S. data maintained by other unit of local government:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. If G.I.S. data layers contain "value added" information on highways, roads, streets and transportation structures not found in the source files from which they were created, they may have secondary uses. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
f. Copies of maps, plans, diagrams, drawings, photographs, surveys, engineering and survey notes, detailed specifications, profiles or cross-sections, where official copies are maintained elsewhere, and are covered by item no. 618, above:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
9.[619]Right-of-way records, including legal description of right-of-way, copies of deeds, maps and photographs:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A10.[620]Property acquisition records, documenting acquisition of real property obtained through eminent domain proceedings for transportation-related project, including record of public hearing, findings and determination, appraisal information, copy of court proceedings and correspondence:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
11.[621]Recommendation of Highway Superintendent or Commissioner of Public Works for expenditure of highway or road fund money:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA12.[622]Report or “inventory” received from and submitted to New York State Department of Transportation on status, mileage, improvements, or other characteristics of highways and bridges:
RETENTION: 5 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. These records may constitute a valuable summary listing of highways and structures. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA13.[623]Complaint or request for service, including notification (including communication log and telephone call log) of unsafe, dangerous or defective condition of highway, street, road, bridge, sidewalk, or other capital improvement, including but not limited to inspection report and record of abatement of condition
a. Summary record (such as log or register) of complaints or requests:
RETENTION: 6 years after disposition of all complaints, petitions or requests listed
b. Complaint or request for service, including follow-up records, where remedial action is taken:
RETENTION: 6 years after remedial action taken or condition otherwise abated, whichever occurs first
c. Complaint or request for service, including follow-up records, where no remedial action is taken:
RETENTION: 1 year
AA14.[624]Transportation- or engineering-related reports, studies or data queries, including their supporting documentation, covering subjects such as traffic congestion studies, traffic safety studies, traffic sign or signal survey, speed limit change request, including but not limited to information gathering forms; copies of accident reports and court records; copies of maps, plans and surveys; and correspondence
a. Reports, studies or queries having legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these reports and studies, including their detailed documentation, may contain significant information on such subjects as traffic congestion and traffic safety, and may reveal long-term trends and accident-prone areas and vehicles. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Reports, studies or queries having no legal or fiscal value, such as daily activity, individual "crew" or "shift" reports, daily communications or other routine internal reports:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA15.[625]Traffic sign or signal erection, relocation, or removal records
a. Records relating to individual or group of interconnected signs or signals, such as authorization for actions taken, photographs, copies of accident reports, copies of maps and surveys, sketches and diagrams, traffic surveys and correspondence:
RETENTION: 6 years after sign or signal replaced or no longer exists, whichever is shorter
b. Road sign or signal listing:
RETENTION: 0 after superseded or obsolete
c. Reports and other records of malfunctioning or missing sign or signal:
RETENTION: 1 year after sign or signal repaired, removed or replaced
16.[627]Copies of motor vehicle accident reports received from law-enforcement or other government agency
a. Accident reports where design or maintenance of highway or structure is relevant to accident:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Routine accident reports:
RETENTION: 1 year
17.[628]Highway related permit file covering handling of oversized vehicles or equipment, or temporary barricading, obstruction, closing, excavation, construction or encroachment:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or denial of permit
18.[629]Public improvement permit file covering construction work which improves facilities benefiting the public:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration or denial of permit
NOTE: This does not apply to building permits or environmental health related permits. See the Building and Property Regulation and Environmental Health sections of this Schedule.
A19.[630]Inspection records for bridges, elevated railways and similar structures:
RETENTION: 6 years after structure no longer in use or inspected features have been replaced
AA20.[631]Intergovernmental agreements, contracts or orders relative to highway maintenance, and sharing of equipment, materials or services:
RETENTION: 6 years after expiration
AA21.[632]Engineer's reference files, usually arranged by topic, name or number of road, or name of municipality or other government agency:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. These records may contain valuable information on a variety of highway- and transportation-related subjects. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
22.[633]Parking lot or garage usage records
a. Summary record of usage:
RETENTION: 6 years
b. Traffic counts, permit applications, or other records of original entry:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Tickets, copies or stubs of tickets:
RETENTION: 1 year
23.[634]Handicapped parking permit records
a. Copies of permits, applications and related records:
RETENTION: 3 years after expiration
b. Master listing of permits or designated parking spaces:
RETENTION: 0 after obsolete or superseded
AA24.[906]Copies of highway, street, road or bridge records received from other governmental jurisdiction:
a. Where construction or maintenance of highway, street, road or bridge in question is responsibility of local government which receives the records, including instances where highways, streets or roads under separate jurisdictions abut:
RETENTION: 6 years after highway or structure no longer exists
b. Copies of records received for information purposes only:
RETENTION: 1 year
AA25.[907]Child safety seat inspection records, including but not limited to requests for inspection, inspection reports and log or schedule of inspections performed:
RETENTION: 3 years
NOTE: Some of these records may need to be retained longer for potential legal needs, in case inspected vehicles are involved in personal injury accidents. Consult counsel to determine which records, if any, may need to be retained longer to meet these needs.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
AA1.[635]Map, plan, schedule, diagram or sketch of entire system or specific branch or route providing information on stations, stops, dates of operation and times of arrival and departure
a. Final or “as built” copies of official maps, plans and designs showing system route and details of structures, along with draft or intermediary copies that document significant changes:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Draft or intermediary copies of official maps, plans and designs showing system route and details of structures, that do not document significant changes:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
c. Schedules and diagrams showing individual routes and route and time changes:
RETENTION: 1 year after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Records with historical value should be retained permanently. Local governments should consider permanent retention of samples only of schedules and diagrams covered by part "c" of the above item. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
AA2.[908]Automated operational system used to monitor and schedule operation of public transportation passenger vehicles (busses and subway vehicles), including Supply Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) or equivalent system, used to monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) in vehicles or various areas accessible to the public
NOTE: For reports and queries from system data, see item no. 909, below. For alarm, problem and emergency records created from system data, see item no. 910, below.
a. Detailed data file containing information such as on vehicle stops, usage, locations at specific times or intervals:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Because of the amount of detailed data collected by such systems, such data may only be maintained online for a limited period of time. Some of this data may need to be retained longer to meet both administrative needs and legal requirements. It is recommended that public transportation systems store this data offline long enough to meet such requirements. Also, maintenance of a history file (see below) containing the most significant data elements may satisfy these administrative and legal needs.
b. System operation history file, containing significant data and/or periodic data snapshots, generated from detailed system data:
RETENTION: 6 years
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. History files may contain valuable information to document system operation over a period of time. Contact the State Archives for additional advice in this area.
c. Voice data maintained in or by automated system, including conversations between central operational unit and individual vehicle operators, and voice data used for annunciation on vehicles:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Records custodians may wish to consult their attorney, counsel or law enforcement agency before these records are disposed of regarding any potential legal value. Recordings documenting serious incidents may warrant longer retention for legal reasons. These tapes should be retained until legal action is resolved, or the relevant specific communications should be transferred onto a separate tape. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
AA3.[636]System operational records of original entry created in non-automated system or used for data entry or verification, where significant information is data entered or posted to reports and other summary records (including but not limited to passenger counts, tickets, and stubs):
RETENTION: 0 after posted to summary record
AA4.[909]Operational reports and queries for public transportation system, including macros, queries and necessary documentation used in report and query generation
a. Reports and queries dealing with serious incidents or problems, or major issues with long- term implications:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Reports on routine activities, which contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 6 years
c. Reports on routine activities, which do not contain information of legal or fiscal value:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
AA5.[910]Public transportation system alarm, problem and emergency records
a. Narrative records documenting serious problems or emergencies, including data necessary to support such records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Records documenting minor or routine alarms or problems, including detailed data generated by automated systems when certain parameters are exceeded:
RETENTION: 3 years
c. Contingency or similar plans to deal with emergency situations:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
AA6.[856]Bus driver's daily work or tour of duty report, reporting road failures and any defects noted, created pursuant to 17 NYCRR section 721.21(b)
a. If report indicates no maintenance problems, or when no significant work is performed and no funds expended:
RETENTION: 6 months
b. If significant work is performed and funds are expended:
RETENTION: 6 years after vehicle no longer in use
AA7.[911]Public transportation safety plan files, covering plans submitted to New York State Department of Transportation pursuant to Part 975, 17 NYCRR
a. Copy of plan, including all amendments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA8.[637]Operational certification and review records relating to approval and inspection by New York State Department of Transportation
a. Operations review records:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Certificate of inspection and approval to operate:
RETENTION: 6 years after invalid
c. Copies of operational records received from private transportation companies serving local government under contract:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
d. Data collected in preparation of annual fiscal and service data reports, including statistical sampling records:
RETENTION: 6 years after submission of related report
AA9.[912]Special Federal- or State-funded public transportation program records, covering Special Transportation Services for the Transportation Disabled, special mobility improvement projects related to transportation enhancements within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, and Rural Public Transportation Assistance Program
a. Service plans (including all amendments), final or annual reports, results of audits and reviews, and related policies and procedures, including eligibility requirements and documentation of provider or services coordinator selection:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA10.[857]Commuter traffic reduction program records, covering Employee Commute Option (ECO), Transportation Demand Management (TDM), or similar program records
a. Compliance plan (initial or consolidated), including but not limited to such records as worksite profile, survey results, average passenger occupancy (APO) calculations, forecasted participation, summary of trip reduction strategies, list of worksites and implementation schedule, and also covering revisions and updates, including records relating to agency review, approval, disapproval and appeal (copies maintained by local government acting as Local Administrative Agency):
RETENTION: 6 years after superseded or obsolete
NOTE: Appraise these records for archival value. These records may be useful in providing information on relieving traffic congestion problems in certain urban areas. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
b. Compliance plan (initial or consolidated), including but not limited to such records as worksite profile, survey results, average passenger occupancy (APO) calculations, forecasted participation, summary of trip reduction strategies, list of worksites and implementation schedule, and also covering revisions and updates (copy maintained by local government employer):
RETENTION: 3 years after superseded or obsolete
c. Bi-annual maintenance report (copy maintained by local government employer or local government acting as Local Administrative Agency):
RETENTION: 6 years
d. Information on potential participants, including list of applicants and individual employee surveys:
RETENTION: 3 years
AA11.[913]Special public transportation related studies, covering subjects such as commuter parking, car pooling, bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, and bus route changes
a. Final reports, including all attachments:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
b. Background materials and supporting documentation:
RETENTION: 6 years after completion of report or date of most recent entry in record
AA12.[914]Special bus trip records covering trips conducted outside normal public transportation schedule, such as “curb-to-curb” handicapped vehicle use; transportation provided by aging, youth, veterans' and other specialized services; and trips to special events; and including applications for service, lists of attendees, trip reports, and records of fees collected:
RETENTION: 6 years
AA13.[915]Predecessor public transportation company records, covering private bus companies, trolley, horse-car railroad, or turnpike companies, held by successor local government agency:
RETENTION: 0 after no longer needed
NOTE: Appraise these records for historical significance prior to disposition. Some of these records will likely possess significant value for historical or other research and should be retained permanently. These records may contain valuable information which supplements records created by the local government itself, and may constitute some of very few existing records documenting these functions before the 1970s. Contact the State Archives for additional advice.
TOLL BRIDGE OR TOLL ROAD
1.[638]Copies of, applications for, or canceled or validated tickets or pass books:
RETENTION: 1 year
2.[639]Cumulative record or sale or issuance of toll books, tickets, or passes:
RETENTION: 6 years
3.[640]Traffic or usage counts for toll bridge or toll road:
RETENTION: 6 years
4.[641]Operational log for toll bridge or toll road:
RETENTION: 6 years after date of last entry
Schedule MU-1
 
Veterans' Services
VETERANS' SERVICES
A1.[858]Client counseling file, including but not limited to basic data form, interview and counseling records, copies of State and Federal veterans' benefit forms, and records of referral to New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
NOTE: A 1973 fire destroyed many records at the National Military Personnel Records Center. Local veterans service agencies may need to retain records predating 1973 in order to provide information contained in those records destroyed in that fire.
A2.[859]Log or register showing summary information on all client contacts:
RETENTION: 6 years after last entry
A3.[860]Monthly statistical report submitted to New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs:
RETENTION: 1 year
Schedule MU-1
 
Youth Services
YOUTH SERVICES
1.[644]Annual comprehensive plan and compliance report relating to youth services, also includes detention care plan or report:
RETENTION: PERMANENT
A2.[645]Master summary record (log or master index) of youths served by youth service program:
RETENTION: 15 years
3.[646]Individual client consultation case file:
RETENTION: 6 years, or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
4. [647]Individual client employment placement records, including but not limited to master index card, job order form, and periodic statistical report:
RETENTION: 3 years
AA5.[916]Youth court case files, documenting the operation of youth courts, including but not limited to records of cases heard by the courts; forms signed by defendants, their guardians, and youth court staff; records concerning completion of sentence requirements, such as community service; and case notes of contacts made in reference to a defendant's case:
RETENTION: 6 years after case closed or 3 years after individual attains age 18, whichever is longer
8 CRR-NY App. H
Current through July 31, 2021
End of Document