What is the legal status of a municipality in relation to state and federal laws?

In New York, a municipality is a legally-recognized political subdivision of the state that is charged with providing certain services and exercising certain powers. Municipalities have a unique legal status because they are creations of the state government and subordinate to the state’s laws. However, municipalities are also distinct from the state government and can pass and enforce their own laws, as long as those laws are consistent with state and federal laws. In practical terms, this means that a municipality can regulate activities within its borders, such as licensing businesses and adopting zoning ordinances. Municipalities must also comply with federal laws, meaning they must follow all federal statutes and regulations regardless of whether they conflict with state or local laws. For example, if the federal government has laws making it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their race, religion, or gender, a municipality cannot pass a local law that makes it permissible to discriminate. Additionally, municipalities in New York are also bound by all applicable state laws. This includes laws requiring cities to either provide certain services or delegate authority over certain activities to the state. For instance, municipalities may need to adopt state building codes or cede control over hazardous waste disposal sites to the state. In all cases, the legal status of a municipality in the state of New York is one of subordination to state and federal laws.

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What is the legal status of a municipality in relation to state and federal laws?

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