The mayor of New York City serves a four‑year term and can serve up to two consecutive terms, for a maximum of eight continuous years, but may run again after sitting out at least one full four‑year term.

Basic rule

  • The NYC mayor’s term is four years per term.
  • Current law limits a mayor to two consecutive terms (8 years in a row).
  • After two back‑to‑back terms, a former mayor must take a four‑year break before becoming eligible to run again.

How the rule came about

  • In 1993, NYC voters approved a City Charter change imposing a two‑term limit (two 4‑year terms) on the mayor and other citywide officials.
  • In 2008, the City Council temporarily extended limits to three terms, which let Michael Bloomberg serve 12 years as mayor.
  • In 2010, a new referendum restored the two‑term limit for officials elected after 2013, which includes current and future mayors.

Quick Scoop

  • Standard tenure: 4 years per term.
  • Max consecutive service now: 2 terms (8 years total) before a mandatory gap.
  • Possible lifetime total: More than 8 years is possible, but only by leaving office for at least one full term and then winning again later.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.