Legislation Details

File #: OR-2026-0016    Version: Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Enacted
File created: 4/17/2026 In control: City/Town Clerk
On agenda: Final action: 6/1/2026
Title: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2-221 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN CONCERNING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT EXCEPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN ROLES SUBJECT TO RESIDENT ELECTOR REQUIREMENTS UNDER ARTICLE II, SECTION 12 OF THE CITY CHARTER.
Attachments: 1. ORDINANCE Amendment -Residency Requirement Exceptions, 2. LETTER-Ordinance Amendment-Residency Requirement Exceptions, 3. 260512 LEG Presentation - Department Head Recruitment Residency Requirement Exceptions Ordinance Amendment, 4. 260512 LEG Public Testimony Supporting Residency Requirement Exceptions - Daryl Jones, 5. 260512 LEG Public Testimony Supporting Residency Requirement Exceptions - Gary Guglielmo East Shore Mgt Team Chair, 6. Residency Requirements Exception Ordinance Amendment CLEAN Passed Out of LEG on 5.12.pdf, 7. Residency Requirements Exception Ordinance Amendment REDLINED Passed Out of LEG on 5.12.pdf
title
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2-221 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN CONCERNING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT EXCEPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN ROLES SUBJECT TO RESIDENT ELECTOR REQUIREMENTS UNDER ARTICLE II, SECTION 12 OF THE CITY CHARTER.
body
WHEREAS, Article II, Section 12 of the Charter of the City of New Haven establishes elector and residency requirements for certain appointed officials in order to promote accountability, accessibility, and familiarity with the needs of City residents; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders recognizes that residency within the City promotes responsiveness to local concerns, strengthens public confidence in municipal government, and supports the Charter's purpose of ensuring local accountability; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders further recognizes that, in limited circumstances, strict application of such residency requirements for appointed coordinators and department heads may significantly affect the City's ability to recruit or retain highly qualified individuals necessary to serve the public interest; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders finds that any exception process should be narrowly tailored, transparent, based on documented review, and subject to written findings and approval by the Board of Alders; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders by this amendment preserves residency requirements as the general rule while establishing a limited process for case-specific exceptions in appropriate circumstances consistent with the Charter and the public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that Section 2-221 of the Code of Ordinances be amended as follows:
ord
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY

Section 2-221. Exceptions to Residency Requirements for individuals in roles subject to Resident Elector Requirements under Article II, Section 12 of the City Charter.

(a) Notwithstanding the resident elector requirements otherwise applicable under Article II, Section 12 of the Charter,...

Click here for full text