Syracuse, NY · Onondaga County
Variance Application
Property owners use this application to request an area or use variance from Syracuse zoning rules for a property or proposed project.
What this form is
The Syracuse Office of Zoning Administration uses this application to review requests for an area or use variance. Property owners describe the property, project, and requested variance, then address the applicable variance tests and provide supporting materials. The instructions require a complete hard-copy application and supporting documents; incomplete applications will not be processed.
Who needs it
Property owners seeking permission for a land use or construction that requires a variance from Syracuse zoning rules need to file this application.
How to submit it
Submit one hard-copy, single-sided, unbound application with the required submittals to the Office of Zoning Administration, City Hall Commons, Room 500, 201 East Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202-1426. Include the required plans and a $25 check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Finance; faxed or emailed submissions will not be processed.
About notarization
This application is signed and dated by the property owner without a notary; the owner declares the application and attachments truthful under penalties of perjury.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download The Application
Download the Syracuse Variance Application and review its instructions and required submittals.
- 2
Complete And Sign
Describe the requested variance and project, answer the applicable variance test questions, and have the property owner sign and date the application.
- 3
Gather Required Materials
Include the listed permit denial, environmental assessment form, photographs, plans, and $25 check or money order.
- 4
Submit To The Office
Deliver one hard-copy, single-sided, unbound application and required materials to the Office of Zoning Administration at City Hall Commons, Room 500.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a notary for the Syracuse Variance Application?
- No. The property owner signs and dates the application without a notary and declares the statements and attachments truthful under penalties of perjury.
- How do I submit the Syracuse Variance Application?
- Submit one hard-copy, single-sided, unbound application and required materials to the Office of Zoning Administration at City Hall Commons, Room 500. Faxed and emailed submissions will not be processed.
- What materials must accompany the variance application?
- The instructions list a permit denial, a completed Short Environmental Assessment Form, color project-site and streetscape photographs, and plans. They also require a $25 check or money order payable to the Commissioner of Finance.
Need something notarized?
This Variance Application doesn’t need a notary — but if you have another Syracuse form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.