Article IX of the New York Constitution, the Municipal Home Rule Law, and the Statute of Local Governments provide the framework of powers granted by the state to local governments. Local governments include the governments of counties, cities, towns, and villages. The county is New York State's primary political subdivision. In New York State, there are sixty-two counties. Within many of these counties are cities which have their own local governments. Five of these sixty-two counties -- Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond -- make up of the City of New York and do not have their own county governments. A list of cities, towns and villages and the counties in which they are found is provided by the New York State Library.
Many counties have adopted charters establishing the basic form of organization and administration of the counties. Operations of those local governments without charters are governed by the County Law (Chapter 11 of the New York State Consolidated Laws) in combination with local and special laws.
The following are helpful online resources for more information about New York local governments:
A local government must file certified copies of the law locally and with the Secretary of State within twenty days of the law's final adoption and/or approval in order for the law to be effective. Local laws have not been published by the Secretary of State as required by law in recent years. Each municipality (local government) is required to designate a newspaper of notice in which to publish its local laws.
The state legislature created the City of New York as a local government in 1897. It is made up of five counties: Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond. Although the City of New York is made up of different counties, these counties do not have self-governance powers. The City also comprises five political subdivisions called boroughs, each of which in coextensive with one county: The Bronx: Bronx County; Brooklyn: Kings County; Manhattan: New York County; Queens: Queens County; Staten Island: Richmond County.
The Home Rule Amendment of 1924 to the Constitution gave the city the power to pass its own local laws. Before then, all local enactments were termed ordinances. The Charter of 1936 replaced the Municipal Assembly with the City Council which was given legislative power by Chapter 2 of the New York City Charter. The City Council site provides access to legislation from 1998 to present and Legislative API platform that contains proposed and passed legislation, hearings and monthly Stated meetings. A description of the city council's legislative process is also included.
List of NYC Agencies and the Green Book Online provide brief descriptions of responsibilities of each New York City agency and provides links to each agency's website. The Green Book also includes office contact information within each agency and serves as the official directory for the city.
Here are a few of the more important New York City Government websites:
The Administrative Code for New York City is the codified city laws. Similar to the state code, it is compiled by subject and consists of 30 titles.
For administrative materials for New York City, check:
CityAdmin Online Library (N.Y. L. Sch.): A library of decisions decided by New York City agencies.
New York State and New York City Administrative Decisions on Lexis: Including New York City Bar Assoc Comm on Prof & Judicial ethics - Decs, New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board Decisions, New York City Corporation Counsel Opinions, New York City Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings.
New York State and New York City Administrative Decisions on Westaw: Including New York City Commission on Human Rights, New York City Conflicts of Interest Board, New York City Corporation Counsel Opinions, New York City Taxation Administrative Decisions.
New York State and New York City Administrative Decisions on Bloomberg Law: Including New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal.