Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-29
Procedures for revocation or denial of a certificate of rental compliance (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
Certificates of rental compliance may be revoked or suspended in accordance with the following procedures: A. A written notice of intent to revoke an existing certificate of rental compliance or deny an application for a new or renewal certificate of rental compliance must be issued to the owner or agent of the structure for which the license was issued. The notice must specify the reason(s) for such revocation. Such notice shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the owner or agent at his last known place of residence as shown by the records of the Department of Permit and Inspection Services, Department of Assessment and Taxation or Division of the Treasury, or the original application form. B. In the event that a receipt for the notice is not returned to the Department, a second notice shall be served on the owner or agent in the manner provided under New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules for service of a summons in a civil action. C. The notice(s) aforementioned shall also contain the time and place at which a hearing will be granted before the Commissioner, at which time the owner or agent shall be afforded the opportunity to present testimony and evidence regarding the particulars contained in the aforementioned notice. The time of said hearing shall be specified on a date no sooner than five days after service of the notice and no later than the 10 days thereof. D. If the owner or agent appears at said hearing before the Commissioner, he or she shall thereafter make a further determination which shall: (1) Affirm his intention to revoke the certificate of rental compliance with reasons. (2) Modify the specifications of this original intention to revoke the certificate of rental compliance with reasons; or (3) Vacate the original notice with reasons. E. The Commissioner shall notify all parties who appeared at the hearing, and the agency or owner of the subject property of his final determination within five days after the hearing in the manner specified pursuant to § 264-29A .
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-29 establishes the step-by-step process the city must follow before revoking or suspending a certificate of rental compliance. The process begins with a written notice sent by certified mail explaining the reasons for the proposed action, followed by a hearing before the Commissioner no sooner than five days and no later than ten days after service. After the hearing, the Commissioner must issue a final written determination—affirming, modifying, or vacating the original intent to revoke—within five days of the hearing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 264-29, property owners or their agents are entitled to formal notice and a hearing before any certificate of rental compliance is revoked or suspended. A compliant operator keeps current contact information on file with the Department of Permit and Inspection Services, Department of Assessment and Taxation, and Division of the Treasury so that certified-mail notices reach them promptly. Operators who receive a notice of intent to revoke generally attend the scheduled hearing before the Commissioner and present any relevant testimony or evidence addressing the stated reasons for revocation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 264-29 creates procedural protections that govern how Buffalo can revoke a landlord's certificate of rental compliance, which can be relevant to tenants living in a property whose certificate is at risk. Tenants who believe their building is being operated without a valid certificate, or who are aware of a pending revocation proceeding, may contact the Department of Permit and Inspection Services to understand the status of their building's compliance. Local tenant-rights organizations in Buffalo can help tenants understand how a revocation under § 264-29 may affect their housing situation and what options may be available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation