Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 11 Pa.C.S.A. Cities § 11203. Execution of laws, powers of sheriff conferred and emergency powers

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Execution.--The mayor shall execute and enforce the ordinances of the city and all general laws applicable to the ordinances.

(b) Report.--The mayor shall submit an annual report to council and the public that includes recommendations on ways to improve efficiency of the city government based on the prior fiscal year and any other recommendations the mayor deems to be in the public interest.

(c) Police powers.--In order to enable the mayor to effectively preserve the public peace within the city, all the powers conferred by the law upon sheriffs to prevent and suppress mobs, riots and unlawful and tumultuous assemblies shall be conferred upon the mayor.

(d) Emergency proclamations issuance.--If the mayor determines that a state of emergency exists, the mayor may issue a proclamation in writing declaring a state of emergency. The mayor shall provide notice of the contents of the proclamation to council and to the news media within the city.

(e) Emergency proclamations contents.--Upon the issuance of a proclamation declaring a state of emergency under subsection (d), the following shall apply:

(1) The state of emergency shall not exceed five days, unless extended by council.

(2) In the case of a declaration of a state of emergency by the mayor for a citywide or site-specific emergency, a city department may temporarily implement the department's emergency assignments without complying with procedures required by law pertaining to the incurring of obligations and the employment of temporary workers.

(3) The proclamation may prohibit, for all or any part of the city where there is a clear and present danger to life or property through civil disorder:

(i) an individual from being on public streets, in public parks or at any other public place during the hours declared by the mayor to be a period of curfew;

(ii) the assembling or gathering of a group of individuals, in numbers to be designated by the mayor, upon public streets, parks or other public places;

(iii) the entry or departure of an individual into or from any restricted area;

(iv) the sale, purchase or dispensing of any commodities or goods designated by the mayor;

(v) the transportation, possession or use of gasoline, kerosene or other combustible, flammable or explosive liquids or materials, except in connection with the normal operation of motor vehicles, normal home use or legitimate commercial use; and

(vi) any other activities as the mayor reasonably believes would cause a clear and present danger to the preservation of life, health, property or the public peace.

(f) Time and location.--A proclamation declaring a state of emergency shall describe any restricted area with particularity and specify the hours when the restrictions are to be in effect.

(g) Penalties.--An individual who violates a proclamation declaring a state of emergency commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced as provided by law.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 11 Pa.C.S.A. Cities § 11203. Execution of laws, powers of sheriff conferred and emergency powers - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-11-pacsa-cities/pa-csa-sect-11-11203/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard