Permit Technician Practice Test

Retention periods for public records are determined by which of the following factors?

1. Local ordinances

2. Youth programs

3. Building age

4. Code amendments

The correct answer is: Local ordinances

Retention periods for public records are primarily determined by local ordinances, which are laws established by governmental entities at the local level. These ordinances define the duration for which different types of public records must be kept, ensuring compliance with legal and administrative requirements. By setting specific guidelines, local ordinances help maintain the integrity of public records and ensure that they are accessible as needed for future reference, audits, or legal matters. Other choices, while related to different aspects of public policy or regulation, do not typically govern the retention of records. Youth programs, for instance, may have their own guidelines and regulations but are not overarching factors in setting retention schedules. Building age may affect certain maintenance or zoning records but does not determine how long public records should be retained. Code amendments might influence regulations, but, similar to youth programs, they do not singularly focus on retention periods for public records. Thus, local ordinances serve as the primary source for establishing these important timelines.