Buffalo, NY Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- CO and smoke detectors per NYS Fire Code
- Governing section
- Buffalo City Code § 380-9(C)
- Fine
- Class J, $500 per violation (§ 380-19A(3))
- Checked by
- Dept. of Permit and Inspection Services
- Chapter adopted
- February 20, 2024
Summary
Every Buffalo short-term rental must have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code before the Department of Permit and Inspection Services will issue a short-term rental certificate, under City Code § 380-9(C). It's one of a dozen conditions the Department checks at inspection, alongside fire extinguishers and posted exit diagrams.
Owners seeking to obtain a short-term rental dwelling unit certificate for rental properties subject to this chapter must meet the following conditions:
A. The property must pass an exterior and interior rental unit inspection conducted by the Department of Permit and Inspection Services.
B. Owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied properties containing two or fewer dwelling units where the owner engages in short-term rental must meet all other applicable legal requirements as set forth in the City of Buffalo Codes and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
C. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors shall be installed per NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
D. Only approved areas shall be used for occupancy (no basements, attics, sunporches, garages).
E. No public assembly (party houses are not permitted).
F. Diagrams for exiting must be posted on the interior of each bedroom door.
G. Emergency contact numbers (owner, property manager) are required to be active and posted on-premises and filed with DPIS.
H. The owner must provide working fire extinguishers.
I. The owner must provide a snow shovel to be used in case of emergencies.
J. Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are required to maintain a two-night minimum stay.
K. The license to operate must be posted in a conspicuous location inside the short-term rental.
L. The property must comply with the City of Buffalo Noise Ordinance.[1] [1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 293, Noise.
Full Breakdown
Section 380-9, Conditions, lists what an owner must satisfy to obtain a short-term rental dwelling unit certificate: subsection A requires the property pass an exterior and interior inspection by the Department of Permit and Inspection Services; subsection C requires carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed per the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code; subsection D restricts occupancy to approved areas, excluding basements, attics, sunporches, and garages; subsection F requires exit diagrams posted on the interior of each bedroom door; subsection G requires active, posted emergency contact numbers filed with the Department; subsection H requires working fire extinguishers; and subsection L requires compliance with the City's noise ordinance, Chapter 293.
Under § 380-15, the Commissioner inspects the unit before issuing a certificate and can seek an administrative search warrant if an owner or occupant refuses entry, and units are subject to annual inspection under § 380-7A(6). If an inspection turns up a missing detector or other noncompliance, § 380-16 lets the Commissioner issue a notice of violation, and if a reinspection still shows noncompliance, the certificate can be denied or revoked through the § 380-17 revocation procedure, which requires 10 days' notice and a hearing before the Commissioner.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install required carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is a violation of a licensing condition under § 380-9(C), triggering a Class J fine of $500 per violation under § 380-19A(3) ('Violating a condition of the short-term rental license or certificate'), in addition to whatever penalties apply under the general Code sections § 1-15 and § 137-7. The Commissioner can also deny or revoke the short-term rental certificate itself under § 380-16 and § 380-17A(5) for substantial nonconformance with the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, on top of the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Buffalo short-term rentals need carbon monoxide detectors?
Who checks whether a Buffalo Airbnb has the required detectors?
What happens if a rental is missing a carbon monoxide detector?
Is this the same rule as Buffalo's general rental housing detector requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buffalo
New York rules heatmap·Compare Buffalo to another location·View the New York building safety overview
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