Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Rental dwelling unit registration: renew annually (apply within 60 days before expiration) Verified
Deadline: Every year from the registration issue date; apply within the 60 days before it expires
Before renting, obtain a rental dwelling unit registration. It expires one year after issuance; apply for renewal within the 60 days before it expires and pay the annual fee.
Who it covers: Exempt: owner-occupied properties with two or fewer units, places of public accommodation, and buildings subject to certificate of occupancy requirements under Chapter 129. Annual fee $25 (single unit) / $50 (two-unit). Pre-1978 properties: owner certifies lead awareness/federal disclosure compliance on the application.
"A rental dwelling unit registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire one year after the date of its issuance, unless sooner revoked. Within 60 days prior to the expiration of a rental dwelling unit registration, the owner shall make written application" ecode360.com
"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." ecode360.com
"The owner of a rental dwelling unit shall pay an annual fee of $25 for a single-unit rental dwelling and $50 for a two-unit rental dwelling," ecode360.com
Notes: Buffalo Code Ch. 264 Part II (§§264-16 to 264-19). Adds to NY state law. Source is the City of Buffalo Code as published on ecode360 (the city's code publisher). buffalony.gov pages (Rental Registration, Landlord Resources) returned HTTP 403 to curl and were not snapshotted. Buffalo is also one of the 25 NYS Lead Rental Registry communities (PHL §1377; see ny/state.json): pre-1980 rentals with 2+ units need a Lead Safety Certificate at least every 3 years.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Certificate of rental compliance (inspection) every 3 years; apply within 60 days before expiration Verified
Deadline: Every 3 years from the certificate issue date; apply within the 60 days before it expires
A certificate of rental compliance, issued after a city interior/exterior inspection, is required to rent a unit. It expires three years after issuance; apply for renewal within the 60 days before expiration—letting it lapse while occupied is a daily violation.
Who it covers: Same exemptions as registration. Unit must pass interior and exterior inspection. Lead-related provisions don't apply to properties built after 1978. Owner must disclose new lead conditions within 30 days.
"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" ecode360.com
"The dwelling unit must pass an exterior and interior rental unit inspection conducted by the Department" ecode360.com
Notes: Buffalo Code §§264-20 to 264-29. Adds to NY state law. Source is the City of Buffalo Code as published on ecode360 (the city's code publisher). buffalony.gov pages (Rental Registration, Landlord Resources) returned HTTP 403 to curl and were not snapshotted. Buffalo is also one of the 25 NYS Lead Rental Registry communities (PHL §1377; see ny/state.json): pre-1980 rentals with 2+ units need a Lead Safety Certificate at least every 3 years.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
At least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1-2 years; 90 days for occupancy 2+ years or 2-year lease)
At least 90 days before the lease ends (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1-2 years; 90 days for occupancy 2+ years or 2-year lease)