FOIL Request & Zoning Compliance Letters (Property Document Requests)

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FOIL – REQUESTING DOCUMENTS

New York State’s Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §87 et. seq.) allows members of the public to access records of governmental agencies.   It’s the people’s right to know the process of government decision-making and the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society.  FOIL provides a process for the review and copying of an agency’s records. (Example documents such as Certificate of Occupancy, Permits and other Property Records)

The agency must  furnish an acknowledgement of receipt in writing of the request within 5 business days of the receiving either the electronic or written request for a record reasonably described,   including an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied in whole or in part, which shall be reasonable under the circumstances of the request and shall not be more than 20 business days after the date of the acknowledgment, or if it is known that circumstances prevent disclosure within 20 business days from the date of such acknowledgment, providing a statement in writing indicating the reason for inability to grant the request within that time and a date certain, within a reasonable period under the circumstances of the request, when the request will be granted in whole or in part

To file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request,  you may either print and mail a hard copy form below or complete the online submission.  Submissions are automatically sent to Veronica Owens, Gates Town Clerk and Records Access Officer. Please answer all of the questions provided as completely, accurate, and specific as possible to expedite your request.  PLEASE NOTE:  Any FOIL request to our  Court office MUST BE DONE IN PERSON.  They will not accept the online submission.

FOIL APPLICATION FORM (click here)

Under the provisions of the New York State Freedom of Information Law, Article 6 of the Public Officers Law, I hereby request records or portions thereof pertaining to (or containing the following).

FOIL - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW APPLICATION
For Access to Public Records

Upon review of the application, a notice of receipt will be sent within 5 business days as to the disclosure and
availability of the requested document(s) to be provided. It shall not be more than 20 business days after the date of the
acknowledgment that the record(s) are available or that access is denied in which notification will be given in writing
stating the reasons for denial.
Copies of requested documents are subject to $.25 per page, per side unless you choose to receive response via
electronic mail.

ZONING COMPLIANCE LETTERS

Please DO NOT submit your request for a Zoning Compliance letter in the FOIL fields. Requests for documents can be listed in your letter (Example documents such as Certificate of Occupancy, Permits and other Property Records)

  • Submit your request for a Zoning Compliance letter, with a check payment of $40, to: Town of Gates, Attn. Building Dept.-Zoning Compliance Letter, 1605 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY 14624.
  • Your request should specify details to be included in the letter and any copies of property records needed (Property records will be emailed).
  • Please include your email address to send copies of documentation.
  • Additional fees apply for any hard copies of property records.  Contact the Building Department for total hard copies and fee.
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