Buffalo, NY · Erie County
Zoning Administrative Appeal
The Zoning Administrative Appeal form lets an applicant ask the City of Buffalo Zoning Board of Appeals to review an alleged error or misinterpretation in a zoning decision.
- licensed online notary
- ~15 min average
- Notarized PDF emailed
What you’ll need
- Government-issued photo ID
- Webcam-enabled device (laptop or phone)
- This form, ready to upload as a PDF
What this form is
Use this form to appeal a decision by the Zoning Administrator or Commissioner of Permit and Inspection Services involving enforcement or application of the city’s zoning provisions. Applicants provide information about the decision, explain their justification, pay the applicable fee, and submit the form with attachments to the Zoning Administrator. After staff review finds the application complete, the city sends a hearing notice; the applicant must attend the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing.
Who needs it
A person associated with an appeal who seeks review of a zoning decision by the City of Buffalo Zoning Board of Appeals should complete and submit this form.
Why it needs a notary
The form contains a New York acknowledgment; the applicant must personally appear before the notary and acknowledge signing the instrument in the stated capacity.
How to get this notarized
- 1
Download the Appeal Form
Download the City of Buffalo Administrative Appeal form and review its instructions and fee information.
- 2
Complete the Form
Enter applicant and appeal details, explain the justification, and prepare any attachments.
- 3
Book an Online Notary
Schedule a remote appointment with a commissioned online notary for the applicant acknowledgment.
- 4
Sign on Video
Personally appear by video and acknowledge your signature before the notary.
- 5
Submit to the City
Send the completed PDF and attachments to the Zoning Administrator as instructed, and pay the applicable fee.
Preview the form
The blank PDF straight from Buffalo. Look it over, then upload your filled copy to start the notary session.
You’ll need ID and a webcam.
A licensed online notary will join you on video, verify your government-issued ID, witness your signature, and apply their seal. You’ll receive the notarized PDF by email when the session ends.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I submit the completed administrative appeal?
- Send a PDF copy with attachments to the Zoning Administrator in Room 913 City Hall by USB flash drive or email/file transfer site. Pay the applicable fee by check or money order payable to the City of Buffalo.
- Do I need to sign the appeal in front of a notary?
- Yes. The form includes a New York acknowledgment. The applicant must personally appear before a notary and acknowledge signing the instrument.
- Can I use an online notary for this acknowledgment?
- New York authorizes its notaries to perform remote online notarizations under Executive Law §135-c. A commissioned online notary can notarize your acknowledgment remotely; Real Property Law §299 recognizes notarial acts performed outside New York by an officer authorized where the act is performed.
- What happens after the city receives my application?
- After staff review determines the application is complete, the city sends a Notice of Complete Application with a public hearing date. The applicant must attend the hearing. Confirm with the city, town or village if unsure.