Rochester's city charter defines the mayor as the chief executive of the city, empowered to enforce all local laws and make appointments to all appointed local offices.

In 1840, the New York state legislature passed a law making the mayors of all incorporated cities elective.

Various amendments to the city charter during the 19th century gave the mayor additional powers of appointment.

[2] In 1898, the state legislature adopted a uniform charter for all cities, establishing a mayor-council government where the mayor controlled all executive functions and appointments.

[3] In 1925, Rochester modified its charter in a referendum to switch to a council-manager government, where the mayor was ceremonial and executive functions were handled by a city manager appointed by the council.