Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-87
Other remedies
Operative Text
The City Controller or the Common Council may direct the Director of Planning and Development or designee to maintain an action or proceeding in the name of the City in a court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with or to restrain by injunction the violation of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant hereto notwithstanding the imposition of the above penalty or punishment for such violation.
Ithaca City Code ch. 210 § 210-87 establishes that the city government has the authority to pursue court action—including seeking an injunction—to force compliance with the housing chapter's requirements, and this legal remedy can be used in addition to, not instead of, any fines or other penalties already imposed for a violation. In other words, a violator may face both monetary penalties and a court order requiring them to stop or correct the offending conduct. The provision gives the City Controller or Common Council the power to direct the Director of Planning and Development to initiate such proceedings on the city's behalf.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Ithaca's housing regulations under ch. 210 should be aware that § 210-87 gives the city a powerful dual-track enforcement tool: city officials can pursue injunctive relief in court at the same time that monetary penalties are being assessed. Compliant operators generally keep their properties in continuous conformance with ch. 210 requirements so as to avoid triggering either track of enforcement. Understanding that court-ordered compliance obligations can stack on top of fines underscores the importance of addressing any cited violations promptly and thoroughly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants, § 210-87 is significant because it means the city of Ithaca is not limited to issuing fines when a landlord violates ch. 210—city officials can also go to court to compel a landlord to actually fix the problem or stop an ongoing violation. Tenants who believe a landlord is violating ch. 210 may consider reporting the issue to the City of Ithaca's Department of Planning and Development, which can be directed to initiate legal proceedings under this provision. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help tenants understand how this enforcement pathway might be relevant to their situation.
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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