Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 43 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 43-5
Referral of License Application
Operative Text
A. All applications for licenses and renewals thereof shall be referred by the Commissioner of Building to the Amherst Police Department for approval. Upon receipt of said referral, the Amherst Police Department shall promptly cause an investigation to be made into the criminal background and professional fitness of the applicant and shall promptly report to the Building Commissioner as to whether or not approval and issuance of the license is recommended. If approval is not recommended, such report shall state the reasons therefore. B. All applications for licenses and renewals shall also be forwarded to the Planning Department, Building Department and Town Attorney for review and comment. The relevant department shall have fourteen (14) days to review and comment upon the application after its receipt thereof, based on his/her familiarity with the applicant from past cases they may have been involved in. C. All new applications for a property manager license shall be referred to the Town Board for approval.
Under Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 43 § 43-5, every application for a rental-related license or its renewal must pass through a multi-step review process before it can be issued. The Amherst Police Department conducts a criminal background and professional fitness investigation and reports back with a recommendation for or against approval. Separately, the Planning Department, Building Department, and Town Attorney each have fourteen days to review and comment, and any new property manager license application must also go before the Town Board for final approval.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators seeking a license or renewal under ch. 43 § 43-5 generally ensure their applications are complete and submitted with enough lead time to accommodate the multi-agency review cycle. A compliant applicant typically cooperates with the Amherst Police Department's background and fitness investigation and remains responsive to any questions from the Planning Department, Building Department, or Town Attorney during their fourteen-day comment window. Those applying for a new property manager license also account for the additional step of Town Board approval before the license can be issued.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 43-5 of Amherst's Code of Ordinances establishes that landlords and property managers operating in the town must clear a structured vetting process — including a police background check and multi-department review — before receiving or renewing a license. Tenants who have concerns about whether their landlord or property manager holds a valid, properly reviewed license may contact the Amherst Building Commissioner's office to inquire about licensing status. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Amherst's local ordinances can help residents understand what remedies or complaint pathways may be available if a landlord is found to be operating without a properly issued license under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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