Buffalo non-owner-occupied STRs are capped at 90 rental nights per calendar year in certain residential zones. Owner-occupied hosted rentals have no night cap. Caps aim to preserve long-term housing stock in tight rental markets.
Buffalo Chapter 242 distinguishes between owner-occupied (hosted) and non-owner-occupied (unhosted) STRs. Hosted rentals in the owners primary residence have no annual night cap. Unhosted rentals in residential N-zones are limited to 90 calendar nights per year to prevent conversion of long-term housing to full-time STRs. Nights are tracked via required monthly filings with the City Clerk. Unhosted rentals in mixed-use and commercial zones (N-1C, D-C, D-M) face no cap but must meet stricter fire and building code standards as lodging establishments. Violations of the 90-night cap result in license revocation and a one-year disqualification from reapplying.
Exceeding 90-night cap: 500 dollars per night over, license revocation, and 12-month reapplication ban.
See how Buffalo's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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