Mayor Ryan Issues Executive Order Declaring A 60-Day Demolition Moratorium
BUFFALO, NY — Mayor Sean Ryan today issued an executive order establishing a 60-day moratorium on the issuance of certain demolition permits in the City of Buffalo, effective immediately and lasting until May 18. During the moratorium, no new permits will be issued for the demolition of principal structures. However, the order includes clear and necessary exceptions to protect public safety and allow ongoing development activity to continue. Emergency demolitions will still be permitted when a building poses an immediate threat to life, health, or safety, as certified by City officials or ordered by Housing Court.
The City will also continue to allow removal of accessory structures or interior elements, and demolitions previously approved as part of a City Planning Board Major Site Plan Approval, typically associated with larger development projects. “For decades, demolition has been the City’s primary response to blight, often at significant cost to taxpayers and at the expense of our housing sup ply,” Mayor Sean Ryan said. “At a time when we need more housing and construction costs are rising, that approach doesn’t meet the moment. This demolition pause gives us the opportunity to take a more strategic look at our policies, ensure we’re using the right tools to preserve housing where it makes sense, and align our approach with Buffalo’s current and future needs.”
Over the past five years, the City of Buffalo has demolished more than 300 residential structures and multiple commercial buildings at a total cost of nearly $10 million. While property owners are legally responsible for these costs, the City has recovered only a fraction of the total amount, which has left taxpayers with the burden of paying for these demolitions. The loss of existing structures has con tributed to a shrinking housing supply, increased pressure on rents, and long-term impacts on neighborhood stability and historic character.
“The neighborhoods throughout Buffalo provide some of the most comprehensive and intact historic fabric of our community, and have the largest lasting effect on community history and character,” said Gwen Howard, Chairperson of the City of Buffalo Preservation Board. “Carefully considering and reducing demolitions of residential structures throughout Buffalo will stem neighborhood decay and pro vide greater opportunity for properties to change hands to homebuyers that can invest with their sweat equity. Historic Preservation tax credits are one simple tool to increase the sweat with real, hard capital for simple, manageable projects that will have huge impacts across the City. The City of Buffalo Preservation Board is ready to work with property owners to maximize these financial resources and stabilize our neighborhoods.”
During the 60-day moratorium, the City of Buffalo’s Office of Permit and Inspection Services (DPIS) and the Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) will conduct a comprehensive review of existing demolition policies. This review will evaluate current permitting practices, cost-recovery mechanisms, and opportunities to strengthen preservation tools within the existing framework.
“For far too long, we’ve treated demolition as the default – tearing buildings down without a second look, without a real review, and without asking what we’re losing,” said Bernice Radle, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara. “A moratorium gives us the space to pause, evaluate, and make smarter decisions. Preservation Buffalo Niagara is ready to help assess these buildings, identify opportunities, and ensure we’re not demolishing assets that could anchor revitalization. Don’t forget that occupied buildings pay property taxes, give us housing options we need, and sup port local jobs… vacant lots do not.”
In addition, the City of Buffalo will develop a Demolition Diversion Program aimed at prioritizing the stabilization of at-risk buildings rather than demolition. The program will focus on using legal tools such as receivership and abandon ment to transfer control of dis tressed properties to respon sible entities committed to making repairs. The City will also establish partner ships with nonprofit housing organizations to pursue grant funded improvements when property owners are unable or unwilling to make necessary fixes, and explore stronger enforcement strategies to pre vent “demolition by neglect” and ensure compliance with maintenance obligations.
The administration will fur ther evaluate options to recov er demolition-related costs, including the potential use of liens, tax enforcement mecha nisms, and other remedies authorized under state law. City departments will imme diately begin updating internal procedures and training staff to implement and enforce the executive order.