Syracuse Parking Garage Law Affects Parking Structure Owners

Find Out How This New Law Affects You

On ongoing regulation, Section 27-17.B of the Syracuse, New York Code of Ordinances, mandates assessment and reporting requirements that every parking garage owner needs to follow to stay compliant.

Below we will talk about details regarding the Syracuse Law:

• Responsibilities of Parking Garage Owners
• Repercussions of Not Meeting Code Requirements
• Cities Near Syracuse
• Next Steps

Responsibilities of Parking Garage Owners

Parking garage owners need to pay attention to the four key details to know when they need to act on their parking garage.

1. Determine if your parking structure falls under the requirements of the code.
        a.Per Section 27-10, Definitions:
             i. “Parking garage. A building or structure, or part thereof, in which a structural level, other than a slab on grade, is used for parking, storage, or maintenance of motor vehicles.”
2. Retain a qualified professional structural engineer to assess your parking garage and provide a written structural condition assessment report based on the code's requirements.
        b. Per Section 27-17.B, Structural condition assessment:
             i. “The owner…or operator of every parking garage in the city shall provide the division with a structural condition assessment prepared, signed and stamped by a qualified professional structural engineer licensed in the state of New York, experienced in the design, restoration and rehabilitation of parking garages…”
3. Submit the initial condition assessment report to the city:
        a. Per Section 27-17.B.1, Structural condition assessment:
             i. “The initial structural condition assessment for each parking garage shall be submitted to the division…”
4. Conduct and submit follow-up condition assessment every three years AND condition survey reports annually between condition assessments:
        a. Per Section 27-17.B.2, Structural condition assessment:
             i. “Subsequent inspections, testing and structural condition assessments shall be carried out, prepared and submitted to the division no later than the third anniversary of the due date for the initial structural condition assessment and every three (3) years thereafter.”
        b. Per Section 27-17.C, Condition survey report:
             i. “The owner…or operator of every parking garage in the city shall also provide the division with a condition survey report signed and stamped by a qualified professional structural engineer licensed in the State of New York…”
             ii. “The initial condition survey report shall be performed and submitted to the division no later than one (1) year from the due date for the initial structural condition assessment.”
             iii. “Subsequent condition survey reports shall be carried out, prepared and submitted to the division no later than the second anniversary of the due date for the initial structural condition assessment and no later than the first and second anniversaries of each subsequent structural condition assessment thereafter.

Repercussions of Not Meeting Code Requirements

Staying compliant is not only about avoiding penalties, but also about ensuring the safety of every user and the long-term viability of your property.

Asset Implications

Parking structures, particularly in climates like Syracuse, are susceptible to many different types of deterioration.

Left uninspected, these deterioration mechanisms could pose risks to people and property  - examples include: falling concrete, tripping hazards, and even partial collapses.

Financial Implications

Per Section 27-17.D, Operating Certificate:

“No parking garage…shall continue in operation...without a current operating certificate or a temporary operating certificate issued by the division. Parking garage operating certificates shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of their issuance.”

“The submission of the structural condition assessment or the condition survey report together with the required fee shall constitute the application for the operating certificate.”

Cities Near Syracuse

The codified ordinance only applies to parking structures in Syracuse proper. If your asset is not in Syracuse, it is not subject to the specific requirements outlined above.

If your parking structure is in the state of New York, some form of condition assessment is required by New York State law. The code of ordinances for the specific jurisdiction in which the parking structure resides will provide further guidance.

Next Steps

Whether required by law or not, preventative assessment and maintenance of parking garages is always a good idea.

As leaders in parking garages management and safety compliance, StructureCare is here to guide you through the complexities of the assessment and reporting requirements for parking garages in Syracuse, New York.

We offer comprehensive assessment and reporting services to ensure your parking facilities meet all legal requirements and maintain the highest safety standards.

Nick Heim, PE 
Innovation Engineer, Ohio