Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-6
Civil penalties
Operative Text
A court granting a petition pursuant to this section may, in addition to any other order provided by law, make an order imposing and requiring the payment by the respondent of a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000 to the municipality in which the subject premises is located and the payment of reasonable attorneys' fees and the costs of the proceeding to the petitioner. In any such case, multiple respondents shall be jointly and severally liable for any payment so ordered, and the amounts of such payments shall constitute a lien upon the subject realty.
Under Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-6, a court that grants a petition under this section has the authority to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 payable to the municipality where the property is located. The court may also order the losing party to pay the petitioner's reasonable attorneys' fees and the costs of the proceeding. When multiple parties are found liable, they share joint and several responsibility for any payments ordered, and those payment amounts can become a lien on the property itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to proceedings under ch. 177 § 177-6 should be aware that a court ruling against them can result in a civil penalty up to $5,000 payable to the municipality, plus the opposing party's attorneys' fees and court costs. Operators with multiple co-owners or co-respondents should understand that each party can be held responsible for the full amount of any ordered payment. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough records of their practices and communications to demonstrate adherence to applicable ordinance requirements if a petition is ever filed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-6 of Ithaca's Code of Ordinances provides tenants and petitioners with a meaningful financial remedy: if a court grants a petition under this section, it can order the respondent to pay a civil penalty up to $5,000 to the municipality and to cover the petitioner's reasonable attorneys' fees and proceeding costs. Any amounts ordered can become a lien on the subject property, which may strengthen the enforceability of the court's order. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the range of options available under ch. 177.
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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