Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-23
Exemptions (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to places of public accommodation as defined by this chapter or to owner-occupied properties containing two or fewer dwelling units subject to the certificate of occupancy requirements of Chapter 129 . B. Exemptions to provisions herein concerning lead paint in a property shall apply to properties constructed after 1978. The Department reserves the right to request a third party verification of compliance concerning safety of the property.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-23 carves out two main categories from the chapter's requirements: places of public accommodation (as that term is defined in the chapter) and owner-occupied properties with two or fewer dwelling units that are subject to Chapter 129 certificate of occupancy rules. Additionally, the lead-paint provisions of the chapter do not apply to properties built after 1978, though the Department retains authority to request independent, third-party verification that any exempt property is nonetheless safe.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 264-23, operators of owner-occupied two-unit-or-fewer properties may fall outside the chapter's general requirements, provided the property meets Chapter 129 certificate of occupancy obligations. Landlords who believe their property qualifies for the post-1978 lead-paint exemption should be aware that the Department can still request third-party compliance verification at any time. Compliant operators typically maintain documentation of construction dates, occupancy status, and any safety inspections so they can respond promptly to such requests.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 264-23 limits who benefits from the chapter's protections: tenants in owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer units may find that certain provisions do not apply to their housing. However, the lead-paint exemption only covers properties built after 1978, and the Department retains the right to seek independent safety verification even for otherwise exempt properties. Tenants who have questions about whether their building qualifies for an exemption may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or the relevant city department for general information about how § 264-23 applies.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation