What I keep seeing
People jump from an empty lot to a finished project. The missing step is a basic fact check. City and Erie County maps are separate records, so even the parcel boundary and owner name need a careful comparison.
What should exist
I would build a one-page address brief. It would put the parcel ID, owner name, assessment, zoning, permits, code and inspection records, 311 history, and planning approvals in one place. It would label a missing record as unknown, never as proof that a property is clear.
- Compare the City GIS parcel viewer with Erie County GIS.
- Check the Green Code map, permits, inspections, code, and approvals.
- Keep title, utilities, access, and site conditions as open checks.
What a Buffalo person can do today
Open the four sources below for one address. Copy the parcel ID and owner exactly as each source displays them. Then call 311 or the responsible department for any unclear record. Before buying or building, get a professional title search and site review.
Official sources