Official actions of Council may be taken by adoption of an ordinance, resolution or motion. All ordinances and resolutions must be in written form. All action of a legislative character shall be taken by ordinance. All other actions of Council shall be by resolution or motion unless otherwise required in this Charter. All final action in adopting ordinances or resolutions shall be by vote of a majority of all members of Council by roll call and shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting. An extraordinary majority of Council shall be necessary to override the mayor's veto.
In addition to other acts required by law or by specific provision of this charter to be done by ordinance, those acts of the City Council shall be by ordinance which:
(1) 
Adopt or amend an administrative code or establish, alter, or abolish any city department office, or agency.
(2) 
Adopt or amend a code establishing a personnel system for the city.
(3) 
Provide for a fine or other penalty or establish a rule or regulation for violation of which a fine or other penalty is imposed.
(4) 
Levy and collect taxes.
(5) 
Grant, renew, or extend a franchise.
(6) 
Regulate the rate charges for its services by a municipally owned public utility.
(7) 
Authorize the borrowing of money.
(8) 
Convey or lease or authorize the conveyance or lease of any lands of the City.
(9) 
Amend or repeal any ordinance previously adopted unless proposed by initiative and referendum.
(10) 
Provide for the enactment, amendment, and implementation of any Housing, Plumbing, Electrical, Zoning or Inspection Codes.
(11) 
Establish and regulate any revenue producing municipal enterprises.
(12) 
Adoption of a budget which shall include clear statement of wages, hours, and fringe benefits to be established as conditions for employment for all employees of the City.
(13) 
Supplemental appropriations so long as adequate revenue is available.
(14) 
Revision of taxing system.
(15) 
Meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property or the public peace.
(16) 
Enact legislation which shall establish the basis for taxation on real estate within the City of Scranton.
(17) 
Merger and consolidations may be initiated by Mayor and Council. However, final approval must be by referendum.
Every Ordinance shall:
(1) 
Be limited to one subject matter which shall be clearly expressed in its title.
(2) 
Contain an enacting clause.
(3) 
Be published by summary title following the first reading at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the City.
(4) 
Become effective within thirty (30) days of adoption unless otherwise determined by this charter or law.
(5) 
Authenticated and entered in an ordinance book.
No ordinance or resolution shall become effective until it has been signed by the Mayor or passed by an extraordinary majority of the Council over the Mayor's veto. Subsequent to the final passage of any ordinance or resolution by the Council, it shall be forwarded by the City Clerk to the Mayor for his signature. The Mayor shall have a ten (10) day period in which to sign or veto the ordinance. If the Mayor does not sign an ordinance within that ten (10) day period it shall become effective and his approval shall be assumed. If the Mayor chooses to veto an ordinance within the ten (10) day period, he shall return the ordinance to the City Clerk within the ten (10) day period together with a written veto message indicating the reasons for his veto. The ordinance or resolution shall be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting of Council after receipt of the Mayor's veto message and the question of passage of the ordinance or resolution over the Mayor's veto shall be considered at that meeting.
One year following the adoption of this Charter and annually thereafter, the Council shall provide for the preparation of a general codification of all city ordinances and resolutions having the force and effect of law.