Buffalo, New York Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Buffalo Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
On October 29, 2019, the City of Buffalo Common Council passed a shared housing ordinance, which governs short-term residential activity in the city. See the full Ordinance - Chapter 264. Rental Dwelling Unit RegistrationBusiness License Requirements
Buffalo requires short-term rental hosts to register their properties through the Department of Permits and Inspections Services. CITY OF BUFFALO - BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATIONBuilding and Housing Standards
Buffalo has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult Building Code for more informationTourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county lawOther Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Buffalo for more informationIs something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.6
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Competition
5.6 -
Real Estate Cost
8.7 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
7.6 -
Rental Rates
3.1
Buffalo, New York Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 278,349
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Erie
- Airports
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG)
Want to learn more about Buffalo?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Buffalo rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Buffalo rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Buffalo.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Buffalo guests.
Interested in other New York cities?
Check out the New York short term rental regulations directory
What makes Buffalo a great place to invest?
- Niagara Falls Excursions: Just a short drive from Buffalo, experience the breathtaking power and beauty of Niagara Falls. Join a guided tour, take a thrilling ride on the iconic Maid of the Mist boat, or explore the scenic pathways around the falls. Don't forget to visit the Niagara Falls State Park for a fantastic view of this natural wonder!
- The Darwin D. Martin House: Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Darwin D. Martin House is a testament to his unique Prairie School style. Explore this architectural masterpiece on a guided tour and learn about Wright's innovative design concepts while marveling at the intricate art glass and restored living spaces.
- Canalside District: Immerse yourself in Buffalo's historic waterfront area, where a fusion of modern attractions and rich history awaits. Enjoy outdoor concerts, recreational activities, and beautiful views of Lake Erie. In the winter, lace up your ice skates for a spin around the outdoor rink or warm up with a hot cocoa at one of the many nearby cafes.
- Buffalo's Food Scene: Taste your way through Buffalo's diverse culinary landscape, from the iconic Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar to authentic Polish pierogi in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood. Don't miss the bustling Elmwood Village, where you'll find a plethora of farm-to-table eateries and trendy cafes.
- Buffalo's Vibrant Sports Scene: Feel the excitement and passion of Buffalo's dedicated sports fans as you cheer on the city's professional sports teams. Catch a Buffalo Bills football game at Highmark Stadium or experience the fast-paced action of a Buffalo Sabres hockey match at the KeyBank Center.
Buffalo Nearby Cities
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12 miles away
- Rating: 6.9
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16 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Buffalo?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Buffalo has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $147, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$264,034
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$147
0% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,371
5% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Buffalo, New York
Common terms for Buffalo short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Buffalo has a description approximately 1,265 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,326 listings in Buffalo, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Place, Spacious, Comfortable, Beautiful, Elmwood Village, Walking, City, and Porch.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Buffalo?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Buffalo involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, Casinos, and Outlet Shopping. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Casinos
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Outlet Shopping
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Marina
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Ice Skating
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Boating
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Adventure Activities
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Paddle Boating
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Hiking
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Antiquing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Buffalo, including University At Buffalo - North Campus, Walden Galleria Mall, KeyBank Center, Canalside, and Buffalo Zoo. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Walden Galleria Mall
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park
Included on 59% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University At Buffalo - North Campus
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Canalside
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Buffalo Zoo
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Buffalo State College
Included on 57% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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KeyBank Center
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Sahlen Field
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Northtown Center at Amherst
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Canisius College
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Peace Bridge
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Boulevard Mall
Included on 56% of listings
What’s the weather like in Buffalo, New York?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 56°, while the average low is about 42°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 24 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 20 inches per year. The humidity levels in Buffalo are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
23° Low 34° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 54° High
Summer
June through August
62° Low 77° High
Fall
September through November
46° Low 59° High
Cities Near Buffalo
Buffalo, New York, is located in Erie County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
