Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-16
Rental dwelling unit registration required (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. Registration required. No person shall knowingly or negligently allow to be occupied, or rent to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit unless the owner has first obtained a rental dwelling unit registration. B. Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to places of public accommodation as defined by this chapter or to owner-occupied properties containing two or fewer dwelling units. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to buildings subject to the requirements of a certificate of occupancy pursuant to Chapter 129 .
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-16 establishes that rental dwelling units in Buffalo must be registered before they can be lawfully occupied or rented. The rule applies broadly to rental properties but carves out exceptions for places of public accommodation, owner-occupied properties with two or fewer units, and buildings already subject to a certificate of occupancy under Chapter 129. Both knowing and negligent failures to register are covered by the prohibition, meaning ignorance of the requirement does not automatically excuse non-compliance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 264 § 264-16, compliant rental property operators in Buffalo secure a rental dwelling unit registration before placing any unit into service or allowing a tenant to move in. Operators generally maintain current registrations for each applicable property and verify whether their holdings fall within one of the stated exceptions—such as owner-occupied two-unit properties or Chapter 129 certificate-of-occupancy buildings—before concluding that registration is unnecessary. Keeping documentation of registration status on file is a common practice among operators who want to demonstrate compliance if questions arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-16 gives tenants a basis to inquire whether their rental unit has been properly registered before or at the time of occupancy. If a unit appears to be unregistered, tenants can look into filing a complaint with the appropriate Buffalo municipal authority that oversees rental registration enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations in the Buffalo area can help explain how an owner's failure to comply with § 264-16 might be raised as a relevant issue in housing-related proceedings.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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