Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-15
Generally applicable fees and disbursements (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. No fee for new buildings. There shall be no fee charged for the issuance of a rental dwelling unit registration certificate for new dwellings at the completion of their construction covered by a building permit. B. Inspection fees. Every property owner shall pay a fee of $75, to be assessed against the property, for each inspection after the first inspection in which violations of a state or local building code are found, unless such fee is waived by the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication. Inspectors shall assess the fee after the status of the violation has not progressed or been satisfactorily completed. The fee shall not be applicable to inspections ordered after the commencement of a court action. C. Funds generated by re-inspection fees assessed pursuant to this chapter shall be placed in a designated T&A account starting in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, in an amount not to exceed $100,000. Funds shall be used solely to support lead hazard education and outreach for at-risk residents as well as for tools, equipment, or services needed to evaluate and analyze the efficacy of the rental inspection program. D. Administrative recommendation. The Commissioner shall review the fee schedule and T&A fund cap annually and recommend changes as he deems appropriate to the Common Council.
Buffalo City Code Chapter 264, Section 264-15 establishes a fee structure tied to rental property inspections. New buildings completing construction under a building permit are exempt from registration certificate fees. For existing rental properties, a $75 fee is assessed against the property for each inspection beyond the first in which code violations are found and have not been resolved or progressed toward resolution — though this fee does not apply once a court action has begun, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may waive it. Revenue from these re-inspection fees, capped at $100,000 per fiscal year starting in 2021–2022, is directed to a designated account funding lead hazard education and outreach as well as tools and services to evaluate the rental inspection program.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Buffalo Code § 264-15, property owners are not charged a registration fee for newly constructed rental units covered by a building permit. However, for existing rental properties, a $75 re-inspection fee is assessed against the property each time an inspector returns and finds that a previously cited code violation has not progressed or been resolved — so operators who promptly address violations after the first inspection generally avoid accumulating these fees. The Bureau of Administrative Adjudication has authority to waive the fee in appropriate circumstances, and the fee does not apply to inspections that occur after a court action has been initiated.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Buffalo Code § 264-15 creates a financial incentive structure designed to encourage landlords to correct code violations promptly, since re-inspection fees of $75 are charged to the property each time a violation remains unresolved after the initial inspection. Tenants living in rental units where violations persist may find it useful to understand that this fee mechanism exists and that revenue from it supports lead hazard education and outreach for at-risk residents. Tenants who believe violations in their unit are not being addressed can explore options such as contacting the relevant city inspection office, raising unresolved violations in any applicable housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available remedies.
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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