Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 154, art. IV § 154-17
Unlawful discriminatory practices (Buffalo Fair Housing Ordinance)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity engaged in the sale or rental of housing to do the following: A. Refuse to sell, rent, lease, make unavailable for inspection, sale or rental, or otherwise to deny or withhold from any person or persons housing because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or reliance upon a therapy dog or cat, familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status or source of income. B. Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale, rental or lease of any housing or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or reliance upon a therapy dog or cat, familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status or source of income. C. To print or circulate or cause to be printed or circulated any statement, advertisement or publication, or to use any form of promotion for the purchase, rental or lease of housing or to make any record or inquiry in connection with the prospective purchase, rental or lease of housing which indicates any preference, limitation, or specification or discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or reliance upon a therapy dog or cat, familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status or source of income, or an intention to make any such preference; and/or which fails to include an equal housing opportunity logotype, statement, or slogan as a means of educating the home-seeking public that the property is available to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For all print or space advertisements, the Equal Housing Opportunity logo shall be of a size delineated by Table 1 attached as Appendix A of this subsection. For all other advertisements, the Equal Housing Opportunity logo shall be of a size at least equal to the largest of the other logotypes and should be bold and clearly visible. An example of equal housing opportunity logotype, statement, and slogan is attached as part of Appendix A of this subsection. D. To induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any housing by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of persons of a particular race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or reliance upon a therapy dog or cat, familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status or source of income. E. Refusal to permit, at the expense of a person with disabilities, reasonable modifications of existing premises, if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the housing, and a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services which may be necessary to afford a person with disabilities equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing. F. To deny access or otherwise to discriminate against a blind person, a hearing impaired person or a person with another disability because he or she is accompanied by a dog that has been trained to work or perform specific tasks for the benefit of such person by a professional guide dog, hearing dog or service dog training center or professional guide dog, hearing dog or service dog trainer, or to discriminate against such professional guide dog, hearing dog or service dog trainer engaged in such training of a dog for use by a person with a disability, whether or not accompanied by the person for whom the dog is being trained. This section shall apply regardless of breed, or any other type of therapy dog or cat. G. To incite, compel or coerce the doing of any acts forbidden by this article, or to retaliate or discriminate against any person or entity because that person or entity has filed a complaint or testified or assisted in any proceeding commenced under this article. H. For any bank, savings or loan association, insurance company or other entity whose business consists in whole or part of the making of loans and arranging of financing for housing or secured by real property or the issuance of property insurance to discriminate in the issuance or terms and conditions of a loan or insurance policy because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or reliance upon a therapy dog or cat, familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status or lawful source of income.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 154, art. IV § 154-17 establishes a broad set of prohibited discriminatory practices in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. No person or entity involved in housing transactions may refuse, restrict, or apply different terms based on characteristics including race, sex, disability, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, familial status, or reliance on a therapy animal, among others. The provision also bars blockbusting tactics, retaliation against those who file complaints, discriminatory advertising, and denial of reasonable modifications or accommodations for people with disabilities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators covered by Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 154, art. IV § 154-17 generally maintain consistent written policies that apply the same rental criteria to all applicants regardless of protected characteristics, including source of income and military status. Compliant operators include the Equal Housing Opportunity logo in advertisements at the sizes specified in the provision's Appendix A, avoid any language suggesting preferences or limitations, and engage in an interactive process when a tenant with a disability requests a reasonable modification or accommodation. Operators also refrain from any conduct that could be construed as inducing sales or rentals through representations about the demographic composition of a neighborhood.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 154, art. IV § 154-17, tenants and prospective tenants have the right to be evaluated for housing without regard to protected characteristics such as source of income, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or reliance on a therapy animal. Tenants who believe they have experienced a violation — including denial of a reasonable accommodation, discriminatory advertising, or retaliation for filing a prior complaint — may consider filing a complaint with the Buffalo Human Rights Commission or a relevant fair housing agency. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand which enforcement paths may be available under this provision.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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