Departments, Divisions, and Offices

This Department is led by the Corporation Counsel and handles legal affairs for the City. This includes legal services for City Departments, and processes FOIL Requests and Claims made against the City.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. is a citizen-driven 501(c)(3) organization that taps citizen creativity to bring about change in Central New York by enabling citizens, organizations, and government to work together to enhance the quality of our lives and our economic future.

The Central Permit Office (CPO) helps residents and businesses request permission for different types of projects in the city to ensure properties meet requirements for maintenance and safety.

The Municipal Violations Bureau (MVB) handles the adjudication of tickets issued by the City of Syracuse.

The Syracuse Water Department is responsible for constructing, maintaining, and operating all necessary and desirable facilities for the supply and distribution of a safe, potable water supply for the City of Syracuse.

The Bureau of Information Technology (IT), supports all software related help desk issues. Wide area networking has been implemented using fiber, T-1s, and broadband connections. The Bureau serves as the support center for office automation and networking.

The Bureau of Research serves as a policy planning, research/information resource, inter-governmental aid, and special projects unit for all City departments.

The City Payment Center directly collects payments for all City, School, and County property taxes, water bills, business license fees, parking ticket fines and fees, boot fees, and adjudication fees.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) serves as the backbone of the city. Our Public Works teams plow the streets, pick up the trash, maintain the sewers, keep traffic flowing, maintain our parks, maintain our streets, and issue handicap parking permits.

The Department of Assessment oversees residential, business, and City-owned properties in the City of Syracuse.

The Purchase Division will show you the City of Syracuse's purchasing protocol.

The Syracuse Fire Department provides public safety and education services related to fire in the City of Syracuse.

It is the mission of the Syracuse Police Department to prevent crime, enforce the laws, and understand the needs of the community while providing professional service with ethical treatment for everyone.

We help create thriving communities throughout the city of Syracuse by working with residents and stakeholders to improve our neighborhoods and business districts, and address quality of life concerns.

Our goal is to provide leadership, guidance, and services that will help employee relations and diversity as a way to make more opportunities for City of Syracuse employees and create a safe and healthy work environment.

The Digital Services team drives the efficiency of city services with a constituent-centered approach to implementing digital infrastructure.

The Finance Department directs the fiscal strategy of the City while administering the City’s accounting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, department financial analysis, and grant and capital management. The Finance Department consists of three bureaus: Bureau of Accounts, City Payment Center, and Bureau of Financial Operations..

We strive to make Syracuse more effective and equitable
for residents by catalyzing the city government to be more responsive, experimental, and informed by evidence.

To advance open and accountable government through accurate, independent, and objective audits and investigations that seek to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of City government.

Syracuse is home to more than 150 parks, greenspaces, recreation areas, community centers and playgrounds.

Code Enforcement is responsible for working with home owners, tenants and landlords to make the City of Syracuse a safe and healthy place to live.

Planning and Sustainability is a division of Neighborhood and Business Development that develops and implements plans and other tools focused on land use, urban design, waterfront and neighborhood planning, historic preservation, and sustainability.

The Common Council is the legislative branch of city government.

The Engineering Department reviews and approves public projects, assists with the planning, review, and implementation of city government projects.

The Mayor is the Chief Executive of the City. She appoints the heads of departments, as well as the members of the various commissions, committees and boards needed to deliver city services.

The Office of Budget supports the way the City of Syracuse is budgeting for it's citizens and the fiscal health of the city.

The Office of Communications manages public information, public engagement, digital media, press relations, and city marketing.

The City Clerk publishes the proceedings of the Common Council, processes all request of Common Council legislation from City department heads and Councilors, and prepares agenda for Council meetings.

The Division of Business Development team assists small businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers in the city of Syracuse to promote diverse economic growth.

Zoning Administration carries out the rules that decide land-use. It establishes patterns of development across neighborhoods and the city by deciding what can be built on a piece of property.

The Office of Equity Compliance supports Minority and Women-Owned Businesses through the city certification program.

The Citizen Review Board ("CRB") was established to ensure an open citizen-controlled process for reviewing grievances involving members of the Syracuse Police Department ("SPD").