John J. Ryan, Jr.
Corporation Counsel

Law Department

Office Information
The Law Department serves as the legal counsel to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Elmira.

Local Laws and Ordinances
The Law Department maintains the Code of Ordinances and the Local Laws of the City of Elmira. The following laws, ordinances, and amendments are provided for public access to the text of the laws. Certified copies of these and other laws are available in the City Clerk's Office or by filing a FOIL Request with the City Clerk. The Law Department cannot provide a copy of Laws.

Local Law Number 1 of 2004
adopted July 12, 2004

This law amends local law number 2 of 2001 and empowers the City Manager to exercise sanctions and penalties against the manufacture or attempt to manufacture Methamphetamine or Amphetamine and the operation of certain establishments and certain properties in violation of certain articles of the Penal Law, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; and provisions of the City of Elmira Code of Ordinances.

Click here to read the local law


Dangerous Dog Ordinance
adopted August 25, 2003

This ordinance defines a dangerous dog and specifies the conditions required to own a dangerous dog in the City of Elmira.

Click here to read the ordinance


Local Law Number 1 of 2003
adopted March 24, 2003

This law extends the City of Elmira's sanitation collection to allow businesses and organizations to contract the City for garbage collection.

Click here to read local law


Curfew Ordinance
adopted November 4, 2002
last revised May 3, 2004

This ordinance makes it unlawful for minors of the age of 16 or under to be on city streets or public places between the hours of 11pm and 5am with exceptions for work, and other activities.

Click here to read the ordinance


Noise Ordinance
adopted October 7, 2002

This ordinance preserves and protects the comfort, convenience, and peace and quiet for the residents and neighborhoods of the City of Elmira by defining acceptable noise limits during specific times.

Click here to read the ordinance


Local Law Number 2 of 2001
adopted July 16, 2001

This law empowers the City Manager to Exercise Sanctions and Penalties against the Operation of Certain Establishments and Certain Properties in Violation of Certain Articles of the Penal Law, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and in Violation of Certain Provisions of the City of Elmira Code of Ordinances.

Click here to read the local law


Odd-Even Parking
adopted January 18, 2000

This ordinance requires that on days with even numbers according to the calendar, parking is permitted on the side of any street on which the properties bear even street numbers and on days with odd numbers according to the calendar, parking is permitted on the side of any street on which the properties bear odd street numbers.

Click here to read the ordinance


Zoning Ordinance
adopted December 21, 1998
see City Council Minutes for revisions

An ordinance regulating and restricting the location, construction and use of buildings, structures and the use of land in the City of Elmira, New York, and for said purposes of dividing the City into districts.

Click here to read the ordinance
(this copy last revised 9/02)


Truck Routes
adopted March 31, 1997
last revised February 7, 2005

This ordinance requires trucks over 10,000 pounds (5 tons) to use designated truck routes through and around the city.

Click here for a map of the City Truck Route System
Click here to read the ordinance