Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Fee
$150 per dwelling
Certificate term
Expires after three years
Applies to
1–2 family non-owner-occupied
Enforcer
Division of Code Enforcement
Inspection
Interior and exterior required

Summary

Syracuse landlords must obtain a rental registry certificate for every non-owner-occupied one- and two-family dwelling they rent or lease. The certificate costs $150 per dwelling, expires after three years, and requires passing interior and exterior code inspections through the Division of Code Enforcement.

Effective January 1, 2011, owners are required to obtain a rental registry certificate for each one-family and/or two-family non-owner occupied dwelling rented or leased within the city of Syracuse. ... Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter to rent or lease a one-family and/or two-family non-owner occupied dwelling without obtaining a rental registry certificate as required by article 9.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).

Full Breakdown

Under Rev. Gen. Ordinances § 27-131(a), effective January 1, 2011, owners must hold a rental registry certificate for each one- and two-family non-owner-occupied dwelling rented in Syracuse; § 27-131(d) makes renting without one unlawful. The fee is $150 per dwelling (§ 27-132), and certificates expire three years after issuance (§ 27-131(b)). To register, a property must pass exterior and interior inspection, carry no open code cases, be current on taxes and water, and have no nuisance or closure proceedings (§ 27-133). Owner-occupied and family-occupied units are exempt (§ 27-131(e)).

Violations & Fines

Renting a non-owner-occupied one- or two-family dwelling without a certificate violates § 27-131(d). During noncompliance no rent is collectable (§ 27-147), and tenant nonpayment for that period cannot be used as grounds for eviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register an owner-occupied home?
No. The registry covers non-owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings. Owner-occupied homes and units occupied by family under § 27-131(e) are exempt from the certificate requirement.
Can I collect rent before I register?
No. Under § 27-147 no rent is collectable during any period of noncompliance, and a tenant's nonpayment during that period cannot be used as a basis for eviction.
How often must the certificate be renewed?
Every three years. Certificates expire three years after issuance under § 27-131(b), and renewal applications should be filed at least 45 days before expiration.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Syracuse

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsSource-of-Income DiscriminationSignificant RestrictionsRelocation AssistanceLight RestrictionsRepairs & HabitabilitySome RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions

All Syracuse rules

New York rules heatmap·Compare Syracuse to another location·View the New York rental property rules overview

Get notified when Rental Registration in Syracuse, NY changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.