Buffalo limits unhosted short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence in many residential zones, preventing investor-owned whole-home rental conversions that reduce long-term housing supply in tight Rust Belt markets.
Under Buffalo's Green Code (Ch. 745) and integrated zoning rules, an unhosted whole-home STR generally must be the operator's declared primary residence, evidenced by driver's license, voter registration, or tax records. This limits Airbnb-style investor portfolios from displacing rental housing in N-1, N-2, and N-3 neighborhood zones. New York's HB 9275 STR registry collects primary-residence affidavits statewide. Violations trigger permit revocation. The rule preserves Buffalo's recovering housing stock and aligns with city anti-blight goals, particularly in Allentown, Elmwood Village, and the Niagara waterfront.
Operating a non-primary-residence whole-home STR without a hosted exemption results in permit denial, daily fines, and potential zoning enforcement actions through Buffalo's housing court.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo does not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statues, or yard decorations on private property. Ornaments must stay on the owner's property and not e...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo does not impose specific restrictions on residential inflatable holiday displays. Displays must remain on private property and not encroach into side...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo does not impose a dedicated ordinance restricting residential holiday lighting. The Green Code (UDO Chapter 496) Section 7.4 regulates outdoor lighti...
Buffalo, NY
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Buffalo require building, plumbing, gas, and electrical permits through the Department of Permit and Inspection Services when t...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo treats wood, pellet, and charcoal smokers as open-flame cooking devices under IFC Section 308.1.4 as adopted by New York State (19 NYCRR Part 1225). ...
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225), which incorporates the 2020 International Fire Code with ...
See how Buffalo's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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