Rental Property Rules in Amherst, NY (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rental Registration
Owners of rental housing in the Town of Amherst must obtain a rental dwelling unit registration certificate from the Commissioner of Building before renting any unit, file an application with owner and property details, and renew it at least every three years.
Amherst Rental Dwelling Registration Rule
Significant RestrictionsAmherst Code § 44-3
§ 44-3. Rental dwelling unit registration required; exemptions. A. Registration required. No person shall allow to be occupied, or rent to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit unless the owner has first obtained either a short term rental dwelling unit registration certificate or a rental dwelling unit registration certificate as hereafter provided.
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
The Town of Amherst excuses landlords from its rental dwelling unit registration law for properties covered by the Erie County PHA Consortium Section 8 Renters Association, alongside a short list of other exempt property types under Chapter 44.
Amherst's Section 8 Registration Exemption
Few RestrictionsAmherst Code § 44-3(B)
B. Exemptions. Exemptions. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to owner-occupied properties containing two or fewer dwelling units and are not short-term rentals; properties granted an exception to these provisions by a majority vote of the Town Board; properties owned by a college or university for inhabitation by administrative officers and/or faculty free of charge; properties own...
Repairs & Habitability
Every occupied or unoccupied rental structure in the Town of Amherst must meet the Property Maintenance Code's minimum habitability standards for light, ventilation, heating, sanitation, weatherproofing and fire safety. The Building Commissioner, acting as code official under Amherst Code § 151-47, enforces these standards through inspection, written notice of violation, and fines running up to $250 per day of noncompliance.
Amherst Rental Property Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 151-47
The provisions of this article shall apply to all existing and future residential and nonresidential structures and all premises that contain structures or occupied or unoccupied buildings. The provisions contained herein shall constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the ...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Erie County →