Buffalo, NY Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Obligation
- Construct and maintain eaves troughs/rain leaders to sewer connection
- Standard
- Must conform to Health Commissioner requirements
- Authority
- Buffalo Sewer Authority may disconnect where needed
- Purpose of disconnection
- Alleviate street/basement flooding or eliminate combined sewer overflows
Summary
Every building connected to the City sewer must have properly constructed and maintained eaves troughs and rain leaders connected to the sewer. The Buffalo Sewer Authority may disconnect these in certain areas to prevent basement flooding or combined sewer overflows.
§ 491-80. Construction required. Every owner or occupant of any building in the City of Buffalo which is connected with any sewer in the City shall construct thereon and keep in repair eaves troughs and rain leaders connecting with such sewer pipe or sewer connection. Such eaves troughs and rain leaders shall at all times conform to the requirements of the Health Commissioner.
§ 491-81. Disconnection from sewer system. Where deemed necessary by the Buffalo Sewer Authority to alleviate street and basement flooding or to eliminate certain combined sewer overflows, the Buffalo Sewer Authority in certain areas shall disconnect and splash block such eaves troughs and rain leaders to alleviate basement flooding or to eliminate combined sewer overflows.
Full Breakdown
Under § 491-80, owners and occupants of sewer-connected buildings must construct and keep in repair eaves troughs and rain leaders that connect to the sewer, conforming at all times to Health Commissioner requirements. Under § 491-81, the Buffalo Sewer Authority may, where necessary, disconnect and splash-block such eaves troughs and rain leaders to alleviate street and basement flooding or eliminate combined sewer overflows, so some areas may be intentionally disconnected from the sewer.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliance with eaves trough and rain leader requirements is subject to the general penalty provisions of the Buffalo City Code. The Sewer Authority may order disconnection and splash-blocking at its discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to connect my gutters and downspouts to the City sewer?
Can the City make me disconnect my downspouts from the sewer?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buffalo
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