Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 242 § 242-3.1
Upholstered furniture on open porches (Buffalo Housing Standards Ordinance)
Operative Text
Upholstered furniture may not be located, stored, or used on any porch unless such porch is fully enclosed year-round in such a fashion as to prevent any access to or use of the furniture by rodents or other pests as harborage or nesting, or for nest-building material.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 242 § 242-3.1 restricts where upholstered furniture may be kept on residential properties. Specifically, upholstered furniture is prohibited on any porch that is not fully enclosed year-round in a way that blocks rodents and other pests from accessing it for shelter or nesting. The rule is aimed at reducing pest harborage conditions created by soft furnishings left in partially open outdoor spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 242 § 242-3.1, compliant property operators generally ensure that no upholstered furniture is placed or stored on open or partially open porches at any of their units. If a porch is fully enclosed year-round and the enclosure effectively prevents pest access, upholstered furniture may be permitted there. Operators typically conduct periodic walkthroughs to confirm that tenants have not moved upholstered items onto non-compliant porch spaces.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 242-3.1 of the Buffalo Code of Ordinances affects how you may use porch spaces at your residence — upholstered furniture is generally not allowed on a porch unless it is fully enclosed year-round against pest entry. If a landlord's property conditions make compliance difficult, or if you receive a violation notice related to this provision, tenant-rights organizations in Buffalo can help you understand your options. You may also contact the relevant city code enforcement office to ask questions about how the rule applies to a particular porch configuration.
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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