Buffalo does not levy a dedicated ADU impact fee. The City charges standard building, plumbing, electrical, and gas permit fees through the Department of Permit and Inspection Services, scaled to construction valuation. Water and sewer connection charges through the Buffalo Sewer Authority and Buffalo Water apply only when new service is installed for the ADU.
Buffalo has not adopted a separate impact fee structure targeting accessory dwelling units. ADU applicants pay standard permit fees set by the Department of Permit and Inspection Services, calculated based on the project's construction valuation rather than as a flat ADU surcharge. Building, plumbing, electrical, gas, and certificate of occupancy fees are collected at submission and at inspection milestones. The Buffalo Sewer Authority and Buffalo Water charge connection or tap fees only when an ADU requires new service line installation; using existing service typically avoids those charges. The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) operates an ADU Program offering technical assistance and, in some pilot rounds, financial incentives to qualifying owner-occupants, indicating the City's policy goal of encouraging ADU production rather than fee-loading.
Failure to pay required permit fees prevents permit issuance and any lawful ADU construction. Unpermitted utility connections discovered by Buffalo Water or Buffalo Sewer Authority can result in disconnection, back-billing, and code enforcement action through the Department of Permit and Inspection Services.
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