N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 1604: Local ordinances prohibited

§ 1604. Local ordinances prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in

this chapter, local authorities shall have no power to pass, enforce or

maintain any ordinance, rule or regulation requiring from any owner of a

motor vehicle or motorcycle, or from any operator or chauffeur to whom

this chapter is applicable, any tax, fee, license or permit for the use

of the public highways, or excluding any such owner, operator or

chauffeur from the free use of such public highways, excepting such

driveway, speedway or road as has been or may be expressly set apart by

law for the exclusive use of horses and light carriages, or in any other

way restricting motor vehicles or motorcycles or their speed upon or use

of the public highways; or setting aside for any given time a specified

public highway or any part thereof constructed in whole or in part at

the expense of the state for exhibitions, shows, exercises,

entertainments or meetings; and no ordinance, rule or regulation

contrary to or in any wise inconsistent with the provisions of this

chapter, now in force or hereafter enacted shall have any effect.

Provided, however, that the power given to local authorities to

license and regulate vehicles offered to the public for hire, and

processions, assemblages or parades in the streets or public places, and

all ordinances, rules and regulations which may have been or which may

be enacted in pursuance of such powers shall remain in full force and

effect.