Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 44 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 44-4
Application for registration
Operative Text
A. Within ninety (90) days after the effective date of this Chapter, the owner of each non-exempt rental dwelling unit existing on the effective date of this Chapter shall make written application to the Commissioner for a rental dwelling unit registration certificate. In addition, the owner of each dwelling unit constructed after the effective date of this Chapter shall make written application to the Commissioner for a rental dwelling unit registration certificate as herein provided prior to initial occupancy. Such application shall be made on a form furnished by the Commissioner and shall set forth the following information, in addition to other information required by the Commissioner from time to time which may be necessary to administer, enforce, and insure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and the housing code: (1) Name, principal residence address, principal business address and telephone number, including cell phone number, of the owner. (2) If the owner is an association, limited liability partnership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common or tenancy by the entirety, then each and every owner or general partner shall be indicated on the application and register an address in accordance with Subsection A(1) of this section. (3) If the owner is a corporation or LLC, the principal place of business of the corporation must be provided and the name, title and residence address of all officers, managing or general agents must be included. (4) If the owner has designated an agent or management company, then the name, principal residence address, principal business address and telephone number, including all phone numbers of such agent or management company must be included in addition to that of the owner. (5) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to properly register any change of address, agent or any other information which occurs after the filing of the application. (6) For purposes of this section, a post office box shall not be accepted as the owner's address. Further, the building intended to be licensed shall not be accepted as the owner's address unless it is the principal place of business or residence of the owner. (7) The owner shall specify the address to which all notices of violation issued pursuant to § 44-14 of this Chapter, and other violations of the housing codes, and invoices for fees are to be forwarded. (8) If the owner does not reside within the County of Erie (New York State), the name address and telephone number of a contact/agent who resides in the County of Erie; Niagara or Genesee must be provided. (9) If the property was constructed prior to 1978, the owner shall certify that the owner is aware of the possibility of lead paint in the property; that the owner is aware of federal disclosure requirements concerning property that may contain lead paint and has complied with federal disclosure requirements; and that the owner is familiar with the use of lead-safe methods during painting, renovation, or repair of the property. Said certification will be made available for completion on the Town of Amherst webpage and in the Building Department at Town Hall. (10) Properties may only be used for the purpose of short term rentals if the Town has issued a short term rental certificate. Properties used for the purpose of short term rentals shall be subject to an annual inspection to determine compliance with the housing code. B. Failure to provide any of the information required by sub-section A as set forth above shall be grounds to deny a short term rental dwelling unit registration certificate or a rental dwelling unit certificate.
Section 44-4 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 44 establishes a mandatory registration process for non-exempt rental dwelling units in the Town of Amherst. Owners must submit a written application to the Commissioner — using an official form — that includes detailed contact information for the owner, any co-owners, corporate officers, agents, or management companies, as well as a local Erie, Niagara, or Genesee County contact if the owner lives outside Erie County. Properties built before 1978 require a lead-paint awareness certification, and properties used for short-term rentals must hold a separate short-term rental certificate and undergo annual inspections. Incomplete applications may be denied outright under subsection B.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 44-4, compliant rental property owners in Amherst generally obtain and submit the Commissioner's official registration form before initial occupancy of any newly constructed unit, or within the initial 90-day window for units that existed when the chapter took effect. Operators typically ensure that all required contact details — including those of every officer or managing agent for corporate or LLC ownership structures — are accurate and kept current, since § 44-4(A)(5) places ongoing responsibility on the owner to update any changes. Owners of pre-1978 properties should be prepared to complete the lead-paint awareness certification available through the Town of Amherst Building Department, and those operating short-term rentals must secure the separate short-term rental certificate and plan for annual inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 44-4 creates a public registration framework that gives tenants a basis for verifying that their rental unit is properly registered with the Town of Amherst and that accurate owner and agent contact information is on file with the Commissioner. If a tenant believes a unit is unregistered or that required information — such as a local contact for out-of-county owners or lead-paint certification for pre-1978 properties — was never provided, that concern can generally be raised with the Town's Building Department or the Commissioner responsible for administering ch. 44. Tenants seeking to understand their rights in connection with § 44-4 may also consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Amherst housing regulations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation