Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-1
Declaration of legislative findings and purpose
Operative Text
The Common Council finds that: A. The Common Council of the City of Ithaca is concerned about the use of rental properties located within the city for the purposes of illegal drug use, possession and sale; B. These illegal acts have a deleterious effect upon the neighborhoods in which the properties are located; and C. The remedies provided in § 715 of the New York State Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law do not adequately address the problems resulting from the aforementioned illegal acts; and the District Attorney of Tompkins County is willing to proceed with evictions pursuant to the attached Ordinance for Eviction for Illegal Drug Use and Possession.
Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-1 sets out the City of Ithaca Common Council's stated rationale for enacting a local eviction ordinance targeting illegal drug activity in rental properties. The Council determined that existing state-level remedies under New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law § 715 were insufficient to address the harms caused by drug use, possession, and sale in residential rental units. This provision is a legislative findings section, meaning it explains the 'why' behind the ordinance rather than imposing specific duties or penalties on its own.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As the foundational declaration behind ch. 177 § 177-1, this provision signals that the City of Ithaca has established a local framework for addressing illegal drug activity in rental properties that goes beyond what state law alone provides. Operators who are aware of drug-related activity on their rental properties should understand that the Tompkins County District Attorney is authorized to pursue eviction proceedings under this local ordinance. Compliant property managers generally stay informed about the full scope of ch. 177 to understand how this legislative intent translates into actionable obligations throughout the rest of the chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-1 of the Ithaca City Code is a declaration of purpose, explaining that the city created this ordinance because it believed state law did not go far enough in addressing drug-related activity in rental housing. Tenants should be aware that this local framework, backed by the Tompkins County District Attorney, can be used as a basis for eviction proceedings separate from standard state-law processes. Tenants who believe this ordinance is being applied improperly may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Ithaca's local housing regulations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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