Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 264 § 264-4
Duties of license holder (Buffalo Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Ordinance)
Operative Text
Every holder of any license issued pursuant to this chapter shall abide by the following requirements: A. Duty of legal compliance. Conform with all other applicable state, county and City laws and ordinances on matters not specifically addressed in this chapter including, but not limited to, laws protecting residents against discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, familial status, source of income, or other protected categories. B. Smoking policies. The rental agreement or lease for a dwelling unit regulated under this chapter must include a disclosure of the smoking policy for the premises on which the dwelling is located. The disclosure must state whether smoking is prohibited on the premises, allowed on the entire premises or allowed in limited areas on the premises. If the smoking policy allows smoking in limited areas on the premises, the disclosure must identify the areas on the premises where smoking is allowed. C. Posting requirement. Certificates issued pursuant to this chapter shall be posted prominently in a protective mounting so as to be plainly visible for occupants and inspectors. This posting shall be in a common entrance. If no common entrance exists, then posting shall be made at the entrance of each dwelling unit. The certificate shall be produced by the owner at the request of a tenant, a prospective tenant, or upon demand of the Commissioner. An owner may post a duplicate of any license issued pursuant to this chapter that is lawfully issued by the Department.
Buffalo City Code Chapter 264, Section 264-4 sets out a cluster of ongoing obligations that apply to anyone holding a rental license under Chapter 264. License holders must comply with all other applicable anti-discrimination laws—covering race, sex, national origin, familial status, source of income, and other protected categories—even when those topics are not addressed in Chapter 264 itself. Every lease or rental agreement must include a written disclosure of the property's smoking policy, specifying exactly where, if anywhere, smoking is permitted. Rental certificates issued under the chapter must be conspicuously posted in a common entrance or, where none exists, at each unit's entrance, and must be made available to tenants, prospective tenants, or the Commissioner on request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators holding a license under Buffalo Code Chapter 264, Section 264-4 generally keep their rental certificates mounted in a protective cover in the building's common entrance—or at each unit door if no common entrance exists—and have a duplicate available to show tenants, prospective tenants, or the Commissioner on demand. Compliant lease agreements include a clear smoking-policy disclosure that identifies whether smoking is prohibited entirely, permitted everywhere, or restricted to specific areas. Operators also review their practices against all applicable fair-housing and anti-discrimination laws, since Section 264-4 expressly incorporates those external legal requirements into the license holder's duties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Buffalo Code Chapter 264, Section 264-4, tenants have the right to see the property's rental certificate posted in a common entrance or at their unit door, and can request that the owner produce it at any time. Leases covered by this chapter must contain a written smoking-policy disclosure, so tenants can review their lease to confirm that disclosure is present and accurate. If a license holder appears to be violating Section 264-4's requirements—such as failing to post the certificate or omitting the smoking disclosure—tenants may consider contacting the Buffalo Commissioner's office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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