Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-168
Operation of businesses
Operative Text
(a) The proprietor of any business shall comply with all provisions of federal and state statutes and rules and regulations and all city of Syracuse local laws, ordinances and rules and regulations relating to the conduct of businesses and the occupation, use and maintenance of the premises in which the business is located. Moreover, owners and proprietors shall comply with any and all notices, orders, decisions and determinations made by any city official which governs the occupation and use of the business. (b) The proprietor of any business shall cause the certificate of use to be posted in a conspicuous place visible to the public on the premises of the business. (c) The proprietor of any business shall not permit at any time a greater number of persons on the premises than the capacity approved by the city of Syracuse. (d) The proprietor of any business shall maintain good order on and about the premises at all times. The proprietor of any business shall also be responsible for removing refuse from the premises and obstructions from the sidewalk adjacent to the premises as well as for operating the business in accordance with the requirements of all state statutes, rules and regulations and all city of Syracuse local laws, ordinances and rules and regulations, and for operating the business so that neither the business nor its patrons become a source of disruption to other building tenants or a source of disruption on the sidewalks, streets or other private property in the vicinity of the business. The term "failure to maintain good order" shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Allowing or permitting the premises to become disorderly, including allowing or permitting offenses against public order in violation of chapter 16, article 2 of the Revised General Ordinances of the city of Syracuse, as amended. (2) Gambling in violation of chapter 16, article 2 of the Revised General Ordinances of the city of Syracuse, as amended. (3) Prostitution. (4) Illegal possession, use, gift, sale, or offer for sale of alcoholic beverages. (5) Illegal possession, use, gift, sale, or offer for sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. (6) Food stamp or welfare fraud or criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions. (7) Littering in violation of chapter 14 of the Revised General Ordinances of the city of Syracuse, as amended. (8) Possession, use, gift, sale, or offer for sale of illegal drugs. (9) Noise Control Ordinance violations in contravention of chapter 40 of the Revised General Ordinances of the city of Syracuse, as amended. (10) Possession of stolen property. (11) Operating beyond the legal hours of operation. (12) Illegal possession, use, gift, sale, or offer for sale of dangerous weapons. (13) Violations of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the city of Syracuse's Zoning Ordinance, Property Conservation Code, Building Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code and Elevator Code. (14) Loitering in violation of chapter 24 , article 13 of the Revised General Ordinances of the city of Syracuse, as amended.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 12 § 27-168 establishes a broad set of operational requirements for any business operating within the city. Business proprietors must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws; post their certificate of use visibly; stay within approved occupancy limits; and maintain good order on and around their premises. The provision defines 'failure to maintain good order' broadly, encompassing activities such as illegal drug activity, gambling, prostitution, noise violations, littering, and weapons offenses, among others. Businesses must also ensure that neither their operations nor their patrons disrupt neighboring tenants or the surrounding public spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 12 § 27-168, property owners and managers who lease space to commercial tenants generally ensure that lease agreements require tenants to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing business operations. Compliant operators typically verify that certificates of use are visibly posted, that occupancy limits are observed, and that the business does not generate the kinds of disorder enumerated in the ordinance—such as noise violations, illegal sales, or loitering. Owners who receive notices or orders from city officials regarding the occupation or use of a business space are generally expected to act on those directives promptly to remain in compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who share a building with a commercial business may find § 27-168 of Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 12 relevant if that business is generating disruptions—such as excessive noise, loitering, or other disorderly conduct—that affect their use and enjoyment of the premises. This provision places responsibility on the business proprietor to prevent such disruptions, and tenants experiencing ongoing issues may consider documenting incidents and reporting them to the appropriate city department or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in Syracuse can help residents understand what options may be available, including raising a landlord's failure to address commercial-tenant violations as part of a broader habitability concern.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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