The results mean that the authority ended the day where it started it - with Labour the largest party but with no overall control, after it gained and lost an equal number of seats.
The biggest winners were the Greens who picked up seats from their rivals in Wensum and Mile Cross.
Labour, however, took back two seats they lost in the autumn when an internal row saw a group of councillors leave the party to sit as independents.
DIRTY TRICKS DOGFIGHT
The closest contest was in Town Close ward, the scene of a bitter campaign which saw allegations of dirty tricks and even the police called in.
After a recount, Labour candidate Chris Smith was declared the winner over Ian Stutely, one of those who defected to become an independent last autumn.
On the eve of the vote, police were asked to investigate an official Labour leaflet which said Mr Stutely had been accused of "unacceptable personal behaviour".
In the end, Mr Smith emerged with 1,481 votes, while Mr Stutley received 1,432.
LEADER HOLDS ON
Mike Stonard, Labour's leader of the council, held onto his Catton Grove seat with a majority of more than 600, receiving 1,078 votes.
He said he was just "satisfied" with his party's results.
He added: "It's been a good day in many ways, it's a disappointment to have lost a few seats but I respect the view of the electorate.
"We remain the largest party and people clearly want us to be in charge."
Labour won back seats in Town Close, formerly held by Mr Stutely, and Lakenham, which was previously held by Rachel Everett.
She left the Labour Party in the autumn to sit as an independent alongside Mr Stutely, and did not stand in this election.
Carli Harper, the Labour candidate in Lakenham, was victorious with 1,433 votes.
OTHER RESULTS
Labour emerged from the election with 19 seats - one short of the 20 required for an overall majority on the council.
The only parties to take any new seats were Labour and the Greens.
The Liberal Democrats held onto James Wright's Eaton seat with 2,027 votes.
The ward also had the highest turnout of voters, with nearly 50pc of people living in the area taking to the polls.
However, the party had little success elsewhere. Helen Arundell, standing for the party in Sewell, won 75 votes, while Neil Hardman, standing in Mile Cross, received 74.
However, the independent group suffered the greatest losses, surrendering their seats in both Town Close and Lakenham.
GREENS IN THE PINK
Charlie Caine, Green party candidate, took Mile Cross from Labour with 1,016 votes and a majority of 68.
He said: "I am absolutely delighted. Mile Cross has traditionally been a Labour stronghold.
"I think some of the Labour councillors there who do great work, but in some areas they need to do better. I think people know how much I care about the community."
Toby Bolton, 28, secured Wensum for the Greens. Both members will be brand new faces on the council.
Mr Bolton said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the result. He won the seat with 1,395 votes, and a majority of 335.
Martin Peek, who had been the Labour councillor for the ward since 2019, received 1,060 votes.
The Green's success came on the same day it secured a breakthrough in South Norfolk, where Suzanne Wateridge became its first member on the council when she won the Bunwell by-election in a result which robbed the Conservatives of its overall majority on the authority.
FIRST FOR CITY
This year's elections also saw members of Reform UK stand for election at City Hall for the first time.
Nick Taylor, Reform UK candidate for Crome ward, said the party was hoping to build its national profile through the local elections.
He said: "Next time we will be standing in every ward in Norwich.
"We’re focussed on getting recognition ahead of the general election. We have limited resources when it comes to campaigning locally.
"But we’ve got to start somewhere. People underestimate Reform UK - and they underestimate us in this election too."
The party did not win any seats on the council.
Mr Taylor received 260 votes in Crome, while his colleague in Mile Cross, Stephen Bailey, received 153.
Mr Bailey said he was simply "laying the groundwork" for the party's future in Norfolk.
Carl Hicks stood for Reform UK in Sewell, receiving 105 votes, while Eric Masters stood for the party in Wensum, receiving 137.
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