diff --git a/src/api/views.py b/src/api/views.py
index 068844919..0c24d0327 100644
--- a/src/api/views.py
+++ b/src/api/views.py
@@ -91,15 +91,15 @@ def available(request, domain=""):
     # validate that the given domain could be a domain name and fail early if
     # not.
     if not (DraftDomain.string_could_be_domain(domain) or DraftDomain.string_could_be_domain(domain + ".gov")):
-        return JsonResponse({"available": False, "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["invalid"]})
+        return JsonResponse({"available": False, "code": "invalid", "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["invalid"]})
     # a domain is available if it is NOT in the list of current domains
     try:
         if check_domain_available(domain):
-            return JsonResponse({"available": True, "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["success"]})
+            return JsonResponse({"available": True, "code": "success", "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["success"]})
         else:
-            return JsonResponse({"available": False, "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["unavailable"]})
+            return JsonResponse({"available": False, "code": "unavailable", "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["unavailable"]})
     except Exception:
-        return JsonResponse({"available": False, "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["error"]})
+        return JsonResponse({"available": False, "code": "error", "message": DOMAIN_API_MESSAGES["error"]})
 
 
 @require_http_methods(["GET"])
diff --git a/src/registrar/utility/errors.py b/src/registrar/utility/errors.py
index 9463c1387..d096a30da 100644
--- a/src/registrar/utility/errors.py
+++ b/src/registrar/utility/errors.py
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ class GenericError(Exception):
     """
 
     _error_mapping = {
-        GenericErrorCodes.CANNOT_CONTACT_REGISTRY: """
-We’re experiencing a system connection error. Please wait a few minutes
-and try again. If you continue to receive this error after a few tries,
-contact help@get.gov.
-        """,
+        GenericErrorCodes.CANNOT_CONTACT_REGISTRY: (
+"We’re experiencing a system connection error. Please wait a few minutes "
+"and try again. If you continue to receive this error after a few tries, "
+"contact help@get.gov."
+        ),
         GenericErrorCodes.GENERIC_ERROR: ("Value entered was wrong."),
     }