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City Clerk

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1. Where is City Hall located?

City Hall is located at 330 Ford Street, Ogdensburg, NY 13669.
Hours of operation: 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
Mapquest

2. Where do I vote?

NYS Voter Public Information – Voter Registration Search
NYS Voter Registration Search

3. What is involved in filing a claim against the City?

Claims against the City are filed with the City Clerk's Office and must include the date, time and place of the incident. Copies of bills or estimates should also be included.

4. How do I obtain a Peddler's Permit?

Profit and Non-Profit Peddler Permits to solicit in the City are issued through the City Clerk's Office. Application must be made to the City Clerk's Office prior to the issuance of a permit.
Peddler Permits

5. How do I obtain a Handicapped Parking Permit

The City Clerk's Office issues permits to City residents only. A completed State form, which can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office, must be filled out by the physician and returned to the City Clerk's Office, either in person or by mail.
Handicapped Parking Permit

6. How do I obtain a US passport?

The Ogdensburg City Clerk's Office is not a Passport Acceptance Agency. You can obtain US Passport information at the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office or the Ogdensburg Post Office.
US Postal Service - Passport Information

7. Where do I get a dog license? What is the fee?

Dog licenses are issued in the City Clerk's Office for dogs harbored in the City of Ogdensburg. Paperwork showing a current rabies vaccination and proof of spaying or neutering must be presented at the time of issuing the license. Licenses are renewable each year. Yearly fee: spayed or neutered dog - $10; unspayed or unneutered dog - $18.
Dog Licenses

8. What do I need for a genealogical search?

The fee for each search is $22. Request the form for all state rules and regulations pertaining to searches prior to beginning the process.
Genealogy

9. How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate?

Death certificates can only be released to the informant, spouse or children, with proper identification and proof of relationship. The fee is $10.
Death Certificates

10. How do I obtain a copy of a birth certificate?

Birth certificates can only be released to the individual or their parents with proper identification. The fee is $10.
Birth Certificates

11. How do I obtain a copy of my marriage certificate?

Marriage license information is available to the bride, groom or legal representative with proper identification. The fee is $10. Marriage certificates are on file where the marriage license was purchased, not where the marriage ceremony was performed.
Marriage Certificates

12. How do I obtain a marriage license?

Both parties must appear together in the City Clerk's Office with their certified birth certificate or valid passport, photo identification (driver’s license, non-driver’s license or valid passport), and they must provide their social security number. If either party has been previously divorced, they will need to provide a certified copy of each and every divorce decree with Judge’s signature and County Clerk’s file stamp. The fee is $40.
Marriage Licenses

13. How do I get married at the City Clerk's Office?

The fee for the marriage ceremony is $50. There is a 24-hour waiting period from the time the marriage license is purchased until the marriage ceremony can be performed. If you wish to make an appointment to be married by the Marriage Officer, please let staff know at the time of purchase of the marriage license. The Marriage Officer will provide certified marriage documents immediately following the ceremony. If you are married elsewhere, there will be a longer period of time before you receive the legal documents.

14. Do you accept debit or credit cards as a form of payment?

Not at this time.

15. How do I request information (FOIL) from the City?

Full instructions for requesting information from the City of Ogdensburg can be found on the City Clerk's page. The link "Public Access Records" will give you step-by-step instructions for requesting public documents. More information regarding the Freedom of Information Law can be found on the NYS Department of State, Committee on Open Government page. Committee on Open Government

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Housing Programs

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1. Does the City have funding for home repairs and/or emergency renovations?

No funding is available through the City at this time.

2. Is there a waiting list for City funding?

No, the City no longer maintains a waiting list.

3. Are there other housing resources for City residents?

Yes:

North Country Housing Council/St. Lawrence County Housing Council
19 Main Street, Canton
315.386.8576

St. Lawrence Community Development Program (CDP)
1 Commerce Lane, Canton
315.386.1102

Find Affordable Housing, Find Affordable Housing

4. Is there anything to assist with first-time homebuyers?

This program is not available directly through the City. However, the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers five mortgage programs to assist first-time homebuyers with the purchase of a home in New York State. Call SONYMA Information Hub: 1-800-382-HOME (4663) OR go online by clicking the link. SONYMA First Time Homebuyers

5. What is the Amnesty Program?

Amnesty is the City’s policy, effective January 25, 2010, to forgive mortgage loans made with New York State Office of Community Renewal and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for home purchases for low to moderate income households. The amnesty policy enables the City to release its lien on any owner-occupied property where the note is older than 5 years. On notes that are less than 5 years in maturity, the City will suspend payment requirements and reduce the amount of debt owed by 20% per year until year 5, when the note will be forgiven.

6. How do I know if I am eligible for amnesty?

Owners who have an owner-occupied, residential property with a City held lien against it where the note/lien is older than 5 years or, owners who have an owner-occupied, residential property with a City held lien against it where the note/lien is less than 5 years old, but matures at a date that extends beyond a 5 year period are eligible. Owners of non-residential or non-owner-occupied property are not eligible. More information is available by clicking the link.
Mortgage Amnesty Program

7. Is there a fee to apply for amnesty?

Yes, there is a $150 non-refundable fee.

8. What is mortgage subordination?

Mortgage subordination is when a current mortgage holder agrees to allow a new mortgage (i.e. remortgage) to be placed against the property ahead of the current holders position. This shuffling of mortgages and positioning is done all at the same time. The mortgage position is determined by the date (oldest mortgage has 1st position) unless a subordination agreement is filed.

9. How do I apply for mortgage subordination?

To apply for subordination there is a $100 per lien non-refundable fee. Subordination applications are available online or in the City Planning Office. You can read the City's guidelines for subordination by clicking the link. Subordination Guidelines and Application

10. What resources can help with my utility bills?

Home Energy Assistance Program HEAP – fuel and weatherization assistance - (315) 379-2303

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, NYSERDA - energy assistance related resources - 1.866.NYSERDA

NYS Department of Public Services

11. Are there specific resources for seniors?

Yes. HUD Housing Resources for Seniors

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LWRP

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1. What is a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP)?

An LWRP is a comprehensive plan for the Community’s Waterfront. It is a set of rules that govern how the waterfront is used and can be developed. It is based on public participation to reflect the community’s vision, goals and objectives for its waterfront.

2. What type of information is provided in an LWRP?

At the most general level, LWRP’s contain an inventory and analysis of existing conditions, strategies for addressing waterfront issues, potential projects, and identification of funding for implementing program plans.

3. What is meant by the term “inventory and analysis”?

An inventory and analysis is a term commonly used in the planning profession to describe the process of understanding the local character of natural and cultural conditions within a given area or region; the “inventory” can be thought of as the gathering of facts describing a location. The “analysis” refers to the interpretation of the facts. With regard to the LWRP, the analysis is the interpretation of the facts pertaining to waterfront issues, opportunities and constraints, and specific resource protection needs within the coastal area.

4. What is a coastal area?

The coastal area is defined by New York State as any boundary 500’ inland of any shoreline. Furthermore, a coastal boundary may extend further than 500’, up to 10,000’, to include significant inland resources. The Ogdensburg coastal area includes both the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers within the City boundary.
Information on New York State Coastal Resources

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Police

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1. Does the Police Department accept and discard expired prescription medications?

Yes, the Police Department participates in the community drug take-back program. Please drop off any expired prescription medications at 800 Park Street, Ogdensburg, NY.

2. Are there any City laws regarding alcoholic beverages?

Yes, open containers containing alcoholic beverages are prohibited in public places. A permit issued by the City's Recreation Department may be obtained for certain group activities within the Greenbelt Park.

3. Is there a noise ordinance?

Yes, unreasonable amplified sound is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am of the following day. Additionally, loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise is prohibited at all times when taking into account volume, time of day, type of neighborhood, and other factors.

4. What other local laws should I know about?

The Police Department heavily enforces quality of life offenses, in addition to open container laws. Some include prohibitions on littering, public urination, squealing vehicle tires, and swimming off of municipal property.

5. Does the City of Ogdensburg have a Dog Control Officer?

Yes, the City has a part-time Dog Control Officer, who has summons issuance authority. He also removes dead animals from public thoroughfares.

6. Is there a leash law?

Yes, it is unlawful for dogs to be allowed to run at large. If a dog is not leashed, it must be attended by a person of adequate age and discretion to be able to control its actions.

7. What other local laws pertain to dogs?

Local ordinance prohibits dogs from constantly barking, causing personal injury, damaging property, transporting trash, or impairing lawns. Additionally, all dogs older than six months old must be licensed pursuant to the Agriculture and Markets Law. Licenses can be obtained at the City Clerk's Office.

8. Does the Dog Control Officer handle stray cats?

No. Inquiries regarding stray cats may be directed to the St. Lawrence County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at (315) 393-5191. The Police Department may handle injured cats, however, when the SPCA is closed.

9. Does the Police Department handle nuisance wildlife?

Problems with wildlife, dependent upon type of animal and circumstances, may be handled by an officer, or referred to the nuisance wildlife contractor. Inquiries should be directed to the Police Department at (315) 393-1551.

10. What types of violations can I receive a parking ticket for?

Some of the violations that you can be ticketed for are:

• Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant


• Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk


• Parking more than 12 inches from the curb


• Parking in a handicapped zone


• Parking facing the wrong way


• Parking where signs are posted prohibiting standing, parking, or limited time parking


• Parking in a fire lane


• Parking on a City street or municipal parking lot between the hours of 1:00 am and 7:00 am from December 1 through March 31

11. How much are parking tickets?

The fines range from $20 to $85. The amount of the fine will be noted on the parking ticket. Fines automatically double if not paid within 10 days of issuance.

12. How do I pay a parking ticket?

The ticket and fine may be paid via check or money order by mail to the Police Department using the ticket / envelope, which has a pre-printed address, or paid in person at the Police Department dispatch area. If paying in person with cash, please have exact amount as we are unable to make change.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

13. Does the Police Department issue picture identification cards or offer fingerprinting for citizens?

The Police Department does not issue picture identification cards, but does do fingerprinting as a public service.

14. Does the Police Department have a Crime Prevention Program?

Contact Crime Prevention Officer Danielle Harte at (315) 393-1555.

15. If I am involved in an accident, when do I need to file a report?

You need to file an accident report with the Police Department if the accident resulted in personal injury to any involved party, the physical damage to any one vehicle is greater than $1,000., or if one of the parties requests that an accident report be taken. If the accident does not meet one of the above criteria, a police officer will assist the parties in the exchange of license, registration, and insurance information. For your protection, law enforcement should be called to the scene of any accident.

16. How do I obtain a copy of my accident report?

You may pick up a copy of your accident report at the Police Department dispatch area. There is a $3 fee.

17. What if I have a question about non-parking fines or my court appearance?

Questions should be directed to the Ogdensburg City Court Clerk’s Office at (315) 393-3941.

18. How do I recover my stolen property or evidence?

Contact the evidence custodian at the Ogdensburg Police Department at (315) 393-1555 to schedule an appointment.

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Public Works

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1. What type of sidewalk repair/replacement program does the City have for property owners?

Each budget year the City Council approves a specific amount of money for sidewalk repairs. The property owner can hire a contractor to replace their sidewalk to City specifications. The owner then pays the contractor and provides the Department of Public Works with a copy of the invoice. The Department of Public Works will then inspect the sidewalk and reimburse the homeowner in accordance with City code as this is a first come first serve program, when the money is gone it is gone until the next budget year. All corner radiuses are 100% paid by the City. The City does not maintain a sidewalk list. For more information on the sidewalk replacement program, please call (315) 393-2300.
City Sidewalk Specifications

2. Can I get some top dirt?

No, the City does not provide top dirt.

3. Will the City repair water or sewer pipes in my home?

Although the property owner is responsible for the water service and sewer lateral from the owner's house to the mains in the street, the City will, for a fee of time and materials, repair water lines from the house to the main and sewer lines from the property line to the main. The Department of Public Works cannot repair any pipes within the house.

4. Can the City run sewer rods to unplug sewer laterals?

No, the City is not able to assist with a blockage on private property. This service is provided by private contractors.

5. Will the Department of Public Works take a tree down or remove a stump in my yard?

The Department of Public Works will cut and trim City trees and remove stumps between the sidewalk and the curb or City rights of way. We cannot cut or trim trees on private property. If you have a City tree that needs attention, call the Department of Public Works at (315) 393-2300 or (315) 393-2010, and we will put you on a service call list according to priority.

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Recreation

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1. Does the City issue permits for use of the City's Parks & Trails?

Yes, a use permit may be obtained for Library Park, Kids Kingdom, Grove Park, Crescent Park, the Boardwalk, New York Avenue Park, Hamilton Park, the Maple City Trail, areas of the Greenbelt, or any of the City's gazebos. Applicants must return a completed application to the Recreation Department for approval. If a permit is granted, applicants must be aware that these are still public areas and that they may not be the only ones occupying them at the time.
Application for Use of Parks & Trails