City of Syracuse
City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development / Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP)
CityMS4 Phase IVerified 2026-03
Local Permit / Authorization
- Permit Required
- Yes
- Permit Name
- Building Permit with Stormwater Management / Onondaga County Save the Rain
- Submit To
- City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development / Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP)
- Lead Time
- City permit review 2–4 weeks; county stormwater review concurrent
- Application Method
- City permits via Syracuse Building Division; stormwater plans coordinated with Onondaga County WEP
- Fee
- City permit fees per project scope; county fees may apply for sewer connections
Water Quality Standards
- Impervious Cover Limit
- No citywide cap; post-construction management required per NYSDEC MS4 permit; Save the Rain program promotes green infrastructure
- On-Site Treatment Required
- Yes
- Detention Required
- Yes
- Detention Standard
- Manage the first 1 inch of rainfall on-site per NYS Stormwater Management Design Manual; Onondaga County ACJ (Amended Consent Judgment) drives aggressive CSO reduction
- Turbidity Standard
- Must comply with NYSDEC SPDES CGP; Onondaga Lake TMDL compliance
Local SWPPP / Drainage Plan
- Local Plan Required
- Yes
- Plan Name
- SWPPP per NYSDEC; stormwater management plan per Onondaga County WEP for sewer-connected projects
- PE Stamp Required
- Yes
Plans must be prepared by a NY-licensed PE. The Save the Rain program is one of the largest municipal green infrastructure programs in the country, driven by the Onondaga Lake consent judgment.
Local Inspection Requirements
- Requirements
- City inspects construction. Onondaga County WEP inspects green infrastructure installations. Post-construction BMPs require maintenance agreements with county oversight.
- Inspector Qualification
- NYSDEC-approved QI/TC per SPDES CGP; no additional city certification
Special Overlay Zones
Onondaga Lake Watershed
Trigger: Properties draining to Onondaga Lake (most of the city)
Restriction: Subject to Onondaga Lake TMDL; phosphorus and mercury reduction BMPs; enhanced treatment per Amended Consent Judgment; Onondaga Lake is a Superfund site
Combined Sewer Area
Trigger: Properties in areas served by combined sewers (older neighborhoods)
Restriction: Mandatory CSO reduction through green infrastructure; Save the Rain program incentives; sewer separation projects ongoing per ACJ
Design Manual
- Manual Name
- NYS Stormwater Management Design Manual / Onondaga County Save the Rain Green Infrastructure Standards
Official Resources
Jurisdiction Notes
Syracuse's stormwater program is heavily shaped by the Onondaga Lake Amended Consent Judgment, which mandates aggressive CSO reduction. The Save the Rain program has become a national model for green infrastructure, with over 200 installations managing stormwater from more than 600 acres of impervious surface. Onondaga Lake's status as a Superfund site makes water quality protection paramount.
Remember: These local requirements are in addition to the NYSDEC state construction permit. Both must be satisfied before breaking ground.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Always verify requirements directly with City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development / Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP) and the agency website before beginning construction.