Buffalo distinguishes hosted (owner-occupied) from unhosted short-term rentals, with hosted operations facing fewer restrictions because the owner remains on premises during guest stays under city zoning code.
Buffalo's short-term rental framework, integrated with the Green Code (Ch. 745), recognizes hosted rentals where the property owner lives on-site and rents bedrooms or accessory units while present. Hosted STRs face simpler permit pathways than whole-home unhosted rentals, which are restricted in many residential zones. New York State's HB 9275/A8284 framework reinforces local discretion over hosted classifications. Hosts must still register, collect Erie County occupancy taxes, and meet building safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required by NY Real Property Law.
Operating a hosted STR without registration or while absent from the premises voids the host-present classification and may trigger zoning violations and unhosted permit fees.
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a Short-Term Rental license from the City Clerk under Buffalo Code Chapter 242. Hosts must registe...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo limits unhosted short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence in many residential zones, preventing investor-owned whole-home rental convers...
See how Buffalo's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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