Buffalo Common Council pauses new applications for short-term rental permits

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Buffalo Common Council adopted a moratorium on new applications for certain short-term rental permits following residents' concerns of their impact on neighborhoods, a city spokesperson said in a release.

The 4-2 vote on the 60-day moratorium follows a months-long discussion among council members and complaints from residents about an increase in short-term rentals throughout neighborhoods in Buffalo.

Council members Rasheed Wyatt and Joseph Golombek chose to exempt the University and North Districts from the regulations, which apply to residential and single-family zoned neighborhoods.

All applicants are affected by the moratorium as current applicants have received cease-and-desist letters.

New changes limit individuals and entities from holding over two properties or four rental units. Rental permit applicants must live in the city or hire a local property manager, provide proof of ownership, residency, and note any previous ownership in short-term rental businesses. Background checks will also be done for house-related violations.

No more than 5 percent of properties in historic districts can be used for short-term rentals, the release said.

The moratorium aims to address the rentals' impact on historic districts, according to the release, along with preserving neighborhoods.

In previous interviews with WIVB News 4, council member Mitch Nowakowski said a majority of the rentals are in Elmwood Village, Allentown and the lower west side. He also said those areas saw a surge in 311 and 911 calls.

According to Nowakowski, residents expressed a lost a sense of community with the influx of rental spaces.

"We must strive to safeguard the integrity of our neighborhoods and ensure that short-term rentals do not undermine the sense of community that residents have diligently worked to cultivate," Nowakowski said in the release. "This moratorium, which is intended as a temporary pause, is a crucial step in assessing the full impact of short-term rentals and ensuring that our policies are aligned with the best interests of all residents. In parallel, the City Council is actively engaged in developing improved legislation and regulations to better serve the people of Buffalo.” 

Majority leader Leah Halton-Pope said the moratorium will give the council time to look at the effects of short-term rentals on historic and residential areas.

Further discussion on the moratorium will take place during the legislation committee's meeting on Dec. 17.