Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-21
Term (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. Term. A certificate of rental compliance issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire three years after its issuance, unless sooner revoked pursuant to § 264-28 . Within 60 days prior to the expiration of a certificate of rental compliance, the owner shall make written application for a certificate of rental compliance in accordance with § 264-25 of this chapter. In no event shall a certificate of rental compliance be issued pursuant to this chapter remain in effect more than three years after the date of its issuance unless further extended by the Commissioner for sufficient cause. B. Violations. It shall be a violation of this chapter for an owner who fails to apply for renewal to allow a certificate of rental compliance to lapse while the unit is occupied. The Department may cite an owner in violation of this section the designated fine pursuant to Ch. 175 for each day that the owner is in violation.
Under Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-21, a certificate of rental compliance is valid for three years from the date it is issued, after which it expires unless the Commissioner grants an extension for sufficient cause. Owners are required to submit a written renewal application within the 60-day window before expiration. Allowing a certificate to lapse while a rental unit remains occupied is treated as a violation, and fines can accumulate on a per-day basis for as long as the violation continues.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Buffalo subject to ch. 264 § 264-21 generally maintain a calendar reminder to initiate the written renewal process no later than 60 days before their certificate of rental compliance expires. Compliant owners ensure no occupied unit is left without a valid certificate at any point, since each day of lapse after expiration can trigger a separate fine under Ch. 175. If unusual circumstances arise that may prevent timely renewal, operators typically communicate with the Commissioner's office to explore whether an extension for sufficient cause is available.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 264-21 of Buffalo's Code of Ordinances gives tenants in occupied units a basis to check whether their landlord holds a current, valid certificate of rental compliance, since allowing that certificate to lapse while a unit is occupied is itself a violation. Tenants who believe their landlord's certificate has expired may consider contacting the relevant Buffalo municipal department to inquire about the property's compliance status. Tenant-rights organizations in the Buffalo area can help residents understand how a lapsed certificate under ch. 264 § 264-21 may relate to other rights or remedies available to them.
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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