Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 270 § 270-1
Eviction (Buffalo Eviction for Illegal Drug Use Ordinance)
Operative Text
A special proceeding to evict a tenant from leased premises may be maintained upon the ground that the premises, or any part thereof, have been used or occupied for the purpose of using or possessing illegal drugs. For purposes of this section, the term "tenant," in addition to its ordinary meaning, shall include an occupant of one or more rooms in a rooming house or a resident, not including a transient occupant, of one or more rooms in a hotel who has been in possession for 30 consecutive days or longer.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 270 § 270-1 establishes that a special legal proceeding to remove a tenant from leased premises can be initiated when those premises—or any portion of them—have been used or occupied for illegal drug use or possession. The provision also broadens the definition of 'tenant' beyond its ordinary meaning to include rooming-house occupants and long-term hotel residents who have been in continuous possession for at least 30 days, explicitly excluding transient occupants. This means that the ground of illegal drug activity on the premises can serve as a basis for eviction across a range of residential arrangements, not just traditional lease situations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 270 § 270-1, property owners and managers who discover that leased premises or any portion of them are being used for illegal drug activity have a recognized legal basis to pursue a special eviction proceeding. Compliant operators typically document evidence of the prohibited activity, consult with legal counsel familiar with Buffalo housing law, and follow the procedural requirements for special proceedings before taking any action to remove an occupant. Landlords should also be aware that the provision's expanded definition of 'tenant' means these obligations and rights may apply to rooming-house and long-term hotel arrangements, not only conventional leases.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Buffalo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 270 § 270-1 outlines a specific ground on which a landlord may initiate a special eviction proceeding—namely, that the premises have been used or occupied for illegal drug activity. Tenants, including those in rooming houses or hotels who have resided there for 30 or more consecutive days, have the right to respond to any such proceeding in court and may raise applicable defenses at that time. Those facing an eviction action under this provision may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the procedural options 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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