The law grants political subdivisions the right to adopt policies or ordinances relating to the classification, designation, access, denials, segregation, appeals, management, and retention of records. While there is latitude for difference in establishing policies about records retention, about the appeals process, and about the implementation of certain practices, classification standards and access requirements cannot be altered.

Every policy, ordinance, or amendment must be filed with the State Archives within 30 [calendar] days of its effective date. Additionally, all retention schedules maintained by a political subdivision must be reported to the State Archives.

63G-2-401. Political subdivisions may adopt ordinances in compliance with this chapter.
(2) (a) Each political subdivision may adopt an ordinance or a policy applicable throughout its jurisdiction relating to information practices including classification, designation, access, denials, segregation, appeals, management, retention, and amendment of records.

Ordinances or policies relating to information practices should provide:

standards for the designation of records and require classification of records in accordance with those standards
guidelines for the establishment of fees
standards for the management and retention of the entity’s records

Records officers of political subdivisions should be familiar with their local ordinances, records policies and fee schedules.

Any political subdivision which does not adopt a policy or ordinance must abide by the provisions of GRAMA.