Mayor Walsh Announces Online FOIL Self-Service Portal for Code Violations and Permits

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a new online FOIL Self-Serve Portal is now available to the public to search for permit and code violation information. The electronic database allows any individual to search for properties associated with two of the most common record requests received by the City of Syracuse Department of Law on a reoccurring basis.

“As a data-driven municipality, it is important for us to continue to move towards transparency and open government,” said Mayor Walsh. “This new online FOIL service for this frequently requested information will no doubt save the resources of our staff while at the same time making it easier for the public to access needed information.”

To date, the database contains more than 98,000 code violations and 38,000 building permits. For code violations, the portal provides detailed facts including the owner, full address, violation date, comply-by date, and a description of the violation. For permits, users can access the permit number, full address, owner, issue date and a description of the work.  Both databases have useful filter options.  The code violation database can be filtered by address, current status, owner and violation date.  The permit database can be filtered by address, permit status, permit date and issue date.   Both databases provide a Geographic Information System map to visualize the location of the code violation or permit, in relation to other code violations or permits.

The effort to ensure homeowners, landlords, property managers and developers comply with safety standards throughout the City continues to be a priority. By providing full and easy access to code violations and permits with powerful filtering tools, interested parties can now avoid having to file a Freedom of Information Law request, and instead retrieve this publically-available information instantly from the comfort of their home or office. Previously, each request required the submission of a Freedom of Information Law application, printing fees for all hard copies provided, and a waiting period while documents were processed by the City’s Law Department.      

Questions related to FOIL requirements or the process can be directed by email to FOIL@syrgov.net or by phone by calling 315-448-8400. Code violation inquiries can be emailed to codeenforcement@syrgov.net or called in to 315-448-8695. The Central Permit Office can also be contacted by phone at 315-448-8600 for permit-related inquiries.