Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-15

(a) When property sold:
(1) The owner of every multiple dwelling, and building of mixed occupancy which includes residential occupancy shall, prior to transfer of title to said premises (or, in the case of a written land contract affecting said premises, no more than thirty (30) days after the expiration of such contract) deliver to the purchaser a current certificate of compliance, issued in accordance with the provisions of section 27-113.1 below.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such certificate or conditional certificate shall be required in connection with the following:
a. Involuntary transfers occurring as a direct result of bankruptcy, condemnation, inheritance, foreclosure and the like, or of sale at public auction by a municipality or public auction;
b. Transfer to a purchaser who has submitted to the division an affidavit declaring that the structure will not be occupied as a residence and will be demolished within ninety (90) days of the date of transfer;
c. Transfer to a purchaser who has submitted to the division an affidavit declaring that an application for a permit relating to a change in occupancy will be made within ninety (90) days of the date of transfer, and in the interim the structure will not be occupied.
(2) For purposes of this section, a certificate of compliance shall be considered current for a period of six (6) months after the date of its issuance, provided it has not been revoked during such period.
(3) In the event that no such certificate of compliance has been delivered to a purchaser, such purchaser shall be prohibited from occupying the premises or permitting them to be occupied until such certificate has been obtained, provided however, that upon issuance of a conditional certificate of compliance, the director may in his discretion permit occupancy of the premises if he determines that the violations therein do not constitute a substantial danger to the health or safety of the occupants.
(4) In the event that no certificate of compliance or conditional certificate of compliance has been delivered to a purchaser as required herein, such purchaser may apply for the same and shall have an action against the seller to recover any expenses incurred in obtaining such certificate and correcting or removing any violations found by the director or his designated representative. The existence of a civil remedy in favor of the purchaser against the seller shall not be construed as releasing either party from any obligations hereunder, and shall be in addition to any fines or penalties provided herein.
(b) Multiple dwelling:
(1) The owner of every multiple dwelling and every building of mixed occupancy including residential occupancy, within the city of Syracuse shall on or before December 31, 1979, and thereafter as provided herein obtain a current certificate of compliance or, in the alternative a conditional certificate of compliance covering said premises, issued in accordance with the provisions of section 27-113.1 ., below. This subsection is not intended to supersede the requirements of subsection 27-15 (a), above.
(2) Except as set forth below in section 27-15 (b)(3), a certificate of compliance for a multiple dwelling shall be considered current for a period of five (5) years after the date of issuance provided that such certificate of compliance has not been revoked prior to the expiration of such period, except that in the event of a sale of such multiple dwelling the six-month period (pursuant to paragraph (a)(2), hereinabove) shall apply.
(3) A certificate of compliance for a multiple dwelling that is a non-owner occupied dwelling in a special neighborhood district established by the common council in accordance with Part C, Section VIII of the city's zoning ordinance, shall be considered current for a period of three (3) years after the date of issuance.
(c) Revocation of certificate. In the event that the division shall issue a notice of violation or order, pursuant to section 27-114 or section 27-118 below, based on violations existing subsequent to the date of issuance of a certificate of compliance, such certificate shall be deemed to have been revoked as of the date of such notice.