FAQs • What is a public record?

What is a public record?: By definition, a public record is any record retained by a government body as further defined by statute and open to inspection. Public records include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Public Records

1. What is a public record?: By definition, a public record is any record retained by a government body as further defined by statute and open to inspection. Public records include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.

2. How do I request a public record?: To obtain copies of public records that the city has on file, complete our Public Records Request Form (PDF) and return it to the City Clerk's Office.

3. Are there any records that are exempt from public disclosure?: Yes, please note that certain records may not be disclosed because the records are exempt from disclosure by law. Pursuant to Government Code Sections 6254 and 6255 of the California Public Records Act, certain documents are exempt from public disclosure. The type of records that may be exempt include, but are not limited to, preliminary drafts, notes, or inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda that are not retained by the public agency in the ordinary course of business; personnel records, medical records, or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; records of complaints to, or investigations conducted by, any state or local police agency; and certain documents in which the public interest in not disclosing the document outweighs the public interest in disclosing.