Short-Term Rentals in Buffalo, NY (2026)

Buffalo City Code § 380-7

Short-term rentals allowed within the City of Buffalo: (1) Owner-occupied short-term rentals allowed as of right throughout the City of Buffalo except in N-4-30, N-4-50, D-IL, D-IH, D-OS, D-OG, D-ON and C-R Zoning Districts. (2) Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals not allowed without a special use permit. (4) Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals must first obtain a special use permit coupled...

Buffalo City Code §§ 380-9(L), 380-17(8), 380-21(E)

The property must comply with the City of Buffalo Noise Ordinance. [See Ch. 293, Noise.] ... More than three noise violations within a year of the issued license. However, where the third noise violation is within four weeks or less of the second violation, the date of issuance of the most recent license is not a factor in revocation. ... A third violation of the City of Buffalo Code Chapter 12...

Buffalo City Charter Art. 10, §§ 10-44, 10-44.1, 10-54 (Hotel or Motel Occupancy Tax Law, added by L.L. No. 3-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

SHORT-TERM RENTAL A building or portion of it that is used for the lodging of guests. The term "short term rental unit" includes a house, an apartment, a cabin, a cottage, a bungalow, or a similar furnished living unit, or one or more rooms therein, where sleeping accommodations are provided for the lodging of paying occupants, the typical occupants are transients or travelers, and the relation...

Buffalo City Code §§ 380-7(7)–(9), 380-9(D)–(E)

Non-owner-occupied short-term rental is only allowed as provided pursuant to Chapter 496 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Table 6A LODGING-Bed/Breakfast. A maximum of two adults and one child per room shall be allowed at a time. (8) No more than two dwelling units per building may be used as short-term rentals. (9) Occupancy limitations per Table 404.5 of the 2020 Property Maintenance...

Buffalo City Code §§ 380-9(J), 380-19(A)(3)

Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are required to maintain a two-night minimum stay. ... Violating a condition of the short-term rental license or certificate a Class J fine of $500 per violation.

Buffalo City Code §§ 380-2, 380-7

OWNER-OCCUPIED SHORT-TERM RENTAL: The rental of a dwelling unit for a time period between one and 30 days. Owner must be a resident of the property. NON-OWNER-OCCUPIED SHORT-TERM RENTAL: The short-term rental of a dwelling that is owned and maintained by a person, corporation or agent, who has legal authority to obtain a license to use the property for the purpose of a short-term rental, but wh...

Buffalo City Code § 380-17A(8)

A short-term rental license issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked by the Commissioner for any one or more of the following reasons. (1) Fraud, misrepresentation or a false statement as to a material fact in the application; (2) A finding that a short-term rental license was issued in error and not in accordance with applicable law, including but not limited to a failure to fulfil...