Building Safety in Buffalo, NY (2026)

City of Buffalo Code § 264-4A(9)

If the property was constructed prior to 1978, the owner shall certify that the owner is aware of the possibility of lead in the property; that the owner is aware of federal disclosure requirements concerning property that may contain lead and has complied with federal disclosure requirements; and that the owner is familiar with the use of lead-safe methods during painting, renovation, or repai...

Buffalo City Code §§ 167-15(B), 167-22

§ 167-15(B). Annual inspections: certificate of operation required. All conveyances existing in any building or structure must be inspected annually by a person, firm or company to which a license to inspect conveyances has been issued. Subsequent to inspection, said licensed person, firm or company must certify compliance with applicable sections of Chapter 167 referenced in § 167-2 above, and...

Buffalo City Code § 103-34

Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in all basements having an area exceeding 2,500 square feet when used for the manufacture, sale, repair or storage of combustible material or merchandise and shall also include underground storage garages or parking areas. In buildings used for assembly, educational, institutional or residential occupancies, the automatic sprinkler systems...

Buffalo City Code § 380-9(C)

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 ...

Code of the City of Buffalo, Ch. 103, Art. II, § 103-2.1 (Permit required; exceptions)

No person, firm or corporation shall, within the City of Buffalo, renovate, alter, reconstruct, occupy or use for any purpose, extend or enlarge, move, erect, place, or demolish or remove any building, structure, or site until he shall have first procured a permit so to do; provided, however, that no permit shall be necessary where the work parameters fall completely and solely within work desc...

Buffalo City Code §§ 165-27, 165-16

No electrical work shall be installed, changed or added to without a permit from the Commissioner first having been obtained, excepting work done in their own plants by persons not required to be licensed under Article I of this chapter. No permit shall be required for any electrical work described in § 165-27.1, provided that there is no additional new work or change in the existing wiring sys...

Buffalo City Code §§ 326-14.1, 326-15, 326-16

§ 326-14.1. General provisions. A. All work, materials, parts, elements, components, finishes, equipment and/or fixtures, assemblies and systems shall comply with the requirements of the Plumbing Code of New York State irrespective of the requirement for a plumbing permit or payment of plumbing permit fees. § 326-15. Permit required; transferability. Plumbing work shall not be commenced until a...

Buffalo City Code §§ 129-1, 129-3

No building hereafter erected shall be used or occupied in whole or in part until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Commissioner. ... When, after final inspection, it is found that the proposed work has been completed in accordance with the applicable ordinances, rules and regulations and also in accordance with the application, approved plans and specifications filed in ...