Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-4
Application for registration
Operative Text
A. Within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter, the owner of each dwelling unit existing on the effective date of this chapter shall make written application to the Director of Development for a rental dwelling unit registration certificate. The Director shall establish regulations to implement the registration of all dwelling units. In addition, the owner of each dwelling unit constructed after the effective date of this chapter shall make written application to the building official for a rental dwelling unit registration certificate as herein provided prior to any initial occupancy. Such application shall be made on a form furnished by the Director and shall set forth the following information, in addition to other information required by the Director from time to time which may be necessary to administer, enforce, and insure compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the housing code. (1) Name, principal residence address, principal business address, e-mail address and telephone number of the owner. (2) If the owner is an association, limited liability partnership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common or tenancy by the entirety, then each and every owner or general partnership shall be indicated on the application and register an address in accordance with Subsection A(1) of this section. (3) If the owner is a corporation, the principal place of business of the corporation must be provided and the name, title, residence, e-mail address and telephone number of all officers, directors, managing or general agents must be included. (4) If the owner has designated an agent or managing company, then the name, principal residence address, principal business address, e-mail address and telephone number of such agent or managing company must be included in addition to that of the owner. (5) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to provide accurate, current and valid information as set forth in Subsection A(1) through (4) above so that the owner may be contacted in a reasonable and expeditious manner and to properly register any change of address, agent or any other information which occurs after the filing of the application, and do so within 30 days of such change. (6) For purposes of this section, a post office box shall not be accepted as the owner's address. Further, the building intended to be licensed shall not be accepted as the owner's address unless it is the principal place of business or residence of the owner. (7) The owner shall specify the address to which all notices of violation issued pursuant to Chapter 83 or Chapter 139 of the City Code or other violations of the housing codes, and invoices for fees are to be forwarded. (8) If the owner does not reside within the County of Erie (New York State), or if the owner leaves the County of Erie for over 30 days, the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of a contact/agent who resides in the County of Erie (New York) must be provided. B. Failure to provide such information shall be grounds to deny a rental dwelling unit registration.
Section 177-4 of Lackawanna's Code of Ordinances (ch. 177) establishes a mandatory registration process for rental dwelling units. Owners of existing units had 90 days from the chapter's effective date to apply for a registration certificate with the Director of Development, while owners of newly constructed units must apply before any initial occupancy. The application requires detailed contact information for owners, officers, agents, and managing companies, and any changes to that information must be updated within 30 days. Failure to supply accurate information is grounds for denial of the registration certificate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 177-4, compliant rental property operators in Lackawanna maintain a current registration certificate for every dwelling unit they own, submitting the required application to the Director of Development before any tenant moves in. Operators keep all contact details—including those of any agents, managing companies, or corporate officers—accurate and up to date, filing amendments within 30 days of any change. Owners who do not reside in Erie County, or who leave the county for more than 30 days, ensure that a local Erie County contact is identified on the registration. Post office boxes are not accepted as an owner's address of record under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-4 requires that your landlord be registered with the City of Lackawanna and that accurate, reachable contact information be on file with the Director of Development. If you are having difficulty identifying or reaching your landlord, the registration records maintained under ch. 177 may be a resource for locating responsible parties. Tenants who believe a landlord is operating without a valid registration certificate can explore options such as contacting the City of Lackawanna's Director of Development, raising the registration status as relevant in housing code proceedings, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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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