Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-3
Transfer of licenses (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. The terms and conditions of this chapter shall apply uniformly to the transfer of Rental Unit Registration and Certificates of Rental Compliance. B. All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter are legally transferable to any person who has acquired ownership of a registered and certified building for the unexpired portion of the term for which it was issued, provided that an application to transfer such licenses are filed with the Commissioner within 30 days of title transfer and the dwelling units therein are in compliance with the housing code and other safety codes. Notwithstanding the above, in the case where the property is subject to a special use permit, no additional actions are needed on the part of the new owner, provided that the continued use is within said year of the transfer. C. This section applies exclusively to licenses lawfully issued pursuant to this chapter. This section does not apply to incomplete applications for such licenses.
Section 264-3 of Buffalo's Code of Ordinances governs how rental registration licenses and Certificates of Rental Compliance move from one property owner to another when a building is sold. A license can legally transfer to the new owner for the remainder of its term, but only if a transfer application is submitted to the Commissioner within 30 days of the title change and the dwelling units meet housing and safety code requirements. Properties covered by a special use permit have a simplified path during the year of transfer, and the transfer rules apply only to fully issued licenses—not to applications that were still pending at the time of sale.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 264-3, operators who acquire a registered and certified rental property generally file a license transfer application with the Commissioner within 30 days of taking title to preserve the existing registration and Certificate of Rental Compliance. Compliant operators also confirm that all dwelling units meet Buffalo's housing and safety codes before or at the time of that filing. Where a special use permit is attached to the property, no additional transfer steps are typically required as long as the use continues within the year of the title transfer.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 264-3 establishes that rental licenses must be properly transferred when a building changes hands, which means tenants can look to whether a new landlord has filed the required transfer application within 30 days of acquiring the property. If a building's registration or Certificate of Rental Compliance appears to have lapsed after a sale, tenants may raise that status as a relevant issue when dealing with code complaints or other housing matters. Tenant-rights organizations in Buffalo can help residents understand how § 264-3 intersects with their rights and what avenues—such as contacting the Commissioner's office—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.
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