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2025 municipal websites .gov

Municipal Website Requirement – Chapter 609
A fourth bill requiring municipal websites, which NYCOM initially opposed, was approved by the Governor but with amendments recommended by NYCOM that make it much less onerous, particularly by exempting many of our smaller members who may not be able to comply with this requirement.  In its final form, Chapter 609 requires municipalities with a population exceeding 1,500 to maintain an official “.gov” website and post specific information that would be of interest to their residents, including hours of operation, public hearing notices and an annual financial report. Cities and villages that host their websites on another municipality's “.gov” website will satisfy this new requirement, which takes effect on December 21, 2025.

Legislative Information | New York State Assembly
Step-By-Step Process (.pdf format)
Information Needed to Complete the Domain Request Form
Considerations in Choosing a Domain Name
Authorization Letter Template (.docx format) (.pdf format)
.gov E-Mail Options
E-Mail Options for GoDaddy (Office 365)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (.pdf format)

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Obtaining a .gov domain for a town in New York State involves several steps, including eligibility verification, application submission, domain configuration, and website deployment. Below is a step-by-step guide:

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Step 1: Verify Eligibility

• Eligibility: Local government organizations, including towns in New York State, are eligible to obtain a .gov domain.
• Authorized Official: The town must designate an official who has the authority to request a .gov domain, such as a town supervisor, clerk, or IT director.

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Step 2: Prepare Required Information
Before starting the application, gather the following details:

• Town’s Legal Name
• Primary Contact Information (name, email, phone number of the requesting official)
• Town’s Physical Address
• Domain Name Request (e.g., townname.ny.gov)
• Justification for the Domain (how it will be used for official government purposes)
• Authorization Letter (signed by an elected or senior official)

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Step 3: Submit the Application

• You must have a Login.gov account. Goto Login.gov to create an account.
• Visit the official .gov domain registration portal: https://get.gov.
• Create an account and fill out the online application form.  If you have the information you need, requesting your domain may take approximately 15 minutes.
• Upload the required authorization letter.
• Information Needed.
• Submit the request for review.

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Step 4: Await Approval

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will review the application.
• If additional verification is needed, they may contact the town official.
• Once approved, the town will receive instructions on setting up the domain.

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Step 5: Configure the .gov Domain

• Work with the town’s IT department or web hosting provider to configure DNS (Domain Name System) settings.
• Set up email accounts under the new domain (e.g., [email protected]).
• Ensure proper security settings, including SSL certificates for secure connections.

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Step 6: If Applicable, Build and Launch the Website

• Develop the website using a content management system (CMS) like Weebly or WordPress.
• Include essential pages:
  • Homepage
  • Government Officials and Departments
  • Public Notices and Announcements
  • Meeting Agendas and Minutes
  • Contact Information
  • Services (permits, tax payments, forms, etc.)
• Test the website for functionality, mobile-friendliness, and accessibility compliance (WCAG standards).

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Step 7: Promote and Maintain

• Announce the launch of the new website via social media, newsletters, and town meetings.
• Set up Google Analytics or other tracking tools to monitor site traffic.
• Regularly update the site with news, announcements, and official documents.
• Ensure ongoing cybersecurity measures, including software updates and security monitoring.