Parking Rules in Buffalo, NY (2026)
8 verified parking rules for Buffalo, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Driveway Rules
Buffalo Code § 307-48 bars parking any vehicle on the unpaved part of a residential lot's front yard, between the lot line and the building line, or on any unpaved portion of a side yard. The Parking Violations Bureau tickets it as "Parking in unpaved area in front/side yard," a $75 fine under the Chapter 307 schedule.
Buffalo Unpaved Front/Side Yard Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 307-48; § 307-11
§ 307-48. Restricted areas. No person shall park a vehicle in any unpaved portion of the area between the front lot line and the front building line or in any unpaved portion of the side yard of any lot on which any portion of the main structure is used for residential purposes. ... Schedule of fines and penalties: Parking in unpaved area in front/side yard $75.00.
Street Parking Limits
Buffalo's Parking Violations Bureau enforces a detailed schedule of parking fines ranging from $50 to $125, with additional late penalties after 30 days. Vehicles may be towed during emergencies or when illegally parked.
Parking: Street Parking
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 307-11; § 307-48
The schedule of fines and penalties shall be as follows: Failure to deposit required coins in a parking meter, overtime parking in a metered space or other meter violation: $50.00 Parking prohibited on alternate days: $50.00 Parking prohibited upon publicly or privately owned premises without permission: $75.00 Parking in unpaved area in front/side yard: $75.00 Stopped, standing or parked more ...
Dibs & Space Saving
Buffalo has no "dibs" ordinance blessing lawn chairs or cones in a shoveled spot. City Code § 413-8 bars placing any obstruction to the free use of a street or public place, so space-savers are unlawful street obstructions the Department of Public Works can remove.
Buffalo Parking Dibs: No Saving Shoveled Spaces with Objects
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 413-8 (Obstructions restricted; historical markers)
No person shall place or cause to be placed and permit to remain on any street or public place in the City any obstruction to the free use of such street or public place by the public, except as expressly permitted by the ordinances of the City.
EV Charging
Buffalo supports EV charging infrastructure with public stations downtown and at municipal lots. NY State supports Charge NY initiative. Private home chargers need standard electrical permits.
Parking: Electric Vehicle Charging
Few RestrictionsNYSERDA Drive Clean Rebate for Electric Cars Program - How the Rebate Works
The Drive Clean Rebate offers electric vehicle (EV) buyers up to $2,000 off the purchase or lease of 60+ new EV models. If you are a New York State resident, business, or government entity looking for a new car, it's a great time to buy or lease a plug-in hybrid or battery-powered EV that qualifies for the Drive Clean Rebate. How the Rebate Works: Participating car dealerships are responsible f...
Abandoned Vehicles
Vehicles with three or more outstanding parking summonses within 18 months may be towed or immobilized (booted) in Buffalo. Abandoned vehicles are handled under state law.
Parking: Abandoned Vehicles
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 307-15.1
Any unattended vehicle found parked upon a street or on any City-owned property or property under the jurisdiction or control of the City against which there are three or more outstanding or otherwise unsettled parking violation summonses within an eighteen-month period for which judgments have been issued may, by or under the direction of a police officer, peace officer, parking meter mechanic...
Preferential Parking Districts
Buffalo runs one preferential parking district: the Fruit Belt Residential Pilot Parking Area around Buffalo General Medical Park. City Code §§ 307-84 and 307-85 reserve half of each block on 12 named streets for permit holders who live on those blocks, charge residents a $1 permit fee, and let everyone else park free in the unrestricted half.
Buffalo Fruit Belt Residential Parking Permits
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code §§ 307-84, 307-85
C. Notwithstanding the enumerated streets above, no permit shall be required on streets where the adjacent properties are zoned commercial office and/or retail use. D. The Department of Public Works shall install signage designating half of each block in the Fruit Belt Residential Pilot Parking Area as resident-only parking... E. The City shall issue the residents of the Fruit Belt Neighborhood...
Snow Removal Parking Rules
From November 15 through April 1, Buffalo bans parking on every street served by NFTA-Metro passenger buses between 1:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. so overnight snow plows can clear the roads. Violators are ticketed, and cars can be towed.
Buffalo Winter Parking Ban on Bus Routes
Significant RestrictionsCity of Buffalo Code Ch. 479, § 15.45 (Winter Parking – Bus Route List, effective 11/15/25–4/1/26)
Pursuant to City Ordinance Chapter 479, Section 15.45, it is unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on any portion of any street on which passenger buses are legally operated, or permit any vehicle under their control to remain parked thereon for a longer time than necessary to load or unload passengers or property during Any Period From 1:30AM Until 7:00AM On Any Day Between November 15th...
Towing & Impound Rights
Buffalo runs its own impound lot and fixes both what the City charges and what a licensed tow company may charge. Chapter 175 sets the City tow at $150 for a two-axle vehicle, motorcycle, boat, small trailer or mobile home under 25 feet and up to 6,500 pounds, plus $50 for each day of storage after the first 24 hours, or $75 a day for anything 25 feet or longer. A tower working for the Police Department or the Division of Parking Enforcement is separately capped by § 454-24 at $80 for a standard tow, $90 for a flatbed and $20 a day for storage. Under § 307-8D the Parking Violations Bureau will not hand a vehicle back until the owner shows identity and proof of ownership, signs a receipt and release, and pays towing, storage and every outstanding parking summons.
Buffalo Tow Rates, Impound Fees and Vehicle Release
Significant RestrictionsCity Code § 307-8
whenever a motor vehicle is parked or abandoned on the public streets of the City of Buffalo during snowstorms, floods, fires or other public emergencies ... or where any such motor vehicle has been parked or abandoned in any place where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited, any police officer or parking enforcement officer of the City of Buffalo is hereby authorized to cause such vehicl...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Buffalo city rules.
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