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1. Does my dog or cat need a license?

The City does not issue pet licenses. Owners are required to have proof of rabies vaccination as well as identification on their pet or be microchipped.

2. How many pets can I have?

The ordinance states that a structure can house no more than three animals (of any combination of cats and/or dogs).

3. Does my pet have to be on a leash in my own yard?

Yes. Pets can not run at large and must either be on a leash under the control of a person of suitable age, be securely tethered in their own yard or be effectively confined within an enclosure, building or motor vehicle.

4. What are the rules about cleaning up after my pet?

Owners must clean up after their pets on all public and private property. Pet owners are also not allowed to let excrement accumulate in their own yards for more than 7 days.

5. If there is an animal running around my neighborhood can I catch it?

Yes. It is legal for any person to seize an animal running at large. You are required to report that you have the animal within six hours to the police. If you know who the animal belongs to, you are required to give this information to the police.

6. If my pet is missing what should I do?

Call the Buffalo Police Department at 682-5976 (after hours call 682-1162) Records are kept of all impounded animals. After 5 days, records are maintained at the animal shelter where pets are impounded. Animals are held for five business days and then put up for adoption. Animals that are not claimed or adopted could be destroyed.

7. My pet has been impounded. How do I retrieve it?

If your pet is impounded and you live in the City you must first purchase a license for your pet which means the rabies vaccination must also be current. Once this is taken care of, you must pay the impound fee and the animal shelter maintenance costs. The current impound fees are: 1st offense, $25, 2nd offense, $50 and 3rd offense $75 (in 6 months)

8. What happens when a dog or cat bites someone?

This should be reported to the Buffalo Police Department by dialing 911 or 682-1162. If the injury is serious enough to require medical attention, any treating physician is required to file a report with Chief of Police.

The incident will be investigated and the animal in question will have to be quarantined for a period of 10 days. To be quarantined the animal must be kept inside the home or at a veterinary hospital at the owner's expense.

If the attack is unprovoked, the animal could be deemed: "potentially dangerous." The owner is notified of this determination in writing. If the animal attacks someone again, it must be removed from the City immediately.

9. What can be done about that barking dog in our neighborhood?

It is against the City Ordinance to allow pets to bark or whine excessively. Often the reason these pets are barking or whining is that they have been left unattended. Pet owners should be aware that pets left alone for long periods of time have a greater tendency to bark.  If you are going to be out of town, make sure someone is taking proper care of your pets while you are gone. Call the Police Department at 682-1162 to report violators.

10. Can I have a mountain lion or chickens in the city limits?

No, wild animals are not allowed in the city limits.

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1. How do I become eligible for budget billing?

To be eligible for budget billing, you must:

• Have a 12 month billing history at your current location
• Be current in your utility payments
• Agree to pay the full budget amount each and every month by the due date
• Agree that any payment less than the budget amount will be subject to shut-off
• Agree that if shut-off for non-payment, the account is not eligible for budget billing for a calendar year
• Agree that after two delinquent payments, the account is not eligible for budget billing for a calendar year
• Agree that budget billing accounts are ineligible for time extensions or payment agreements
• Agree the final bill must be paid in full when the utility account is closed.  Credit balances will be transferred to the customer’s new account.  If the customer doesn’t have a new account, the credit balance will be refunded.

2. What is budget billing?

Budget billing is a program available to City of Buffalo utility customers to even out their energy costs by paying a more consistent amount each month. This will help manage unanticipated high billings due to warmer or cooler weather than is the norm.

3. How do I participate in budget billing?

You may participate in the budget billing program by submitting your application online on our website (below) or by completing an application form (PDF)and returning it to Utility Customer Services.

4. How is the budget billing amount determined?

A budget billing amount is established by taking the previous 12 months’ actual bill and dividing it by 12.

5. When can I discontinue budget billing?

Budget billing may be discontinued during the year by notification from the customer. The City will choose to discontinue a customer’s budget billing if the customer is delinquent twice during the budget billing period.

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1. How do I register to vote?

Registration ahead of time saves you time and hassle on election day. Make your voting experience easier this year by preregistering before election day. You must register to vote if you are a new resident, have moved to another precinct in the City, or if you did not vote in the election held in 2018 or 2020. You may either preregister at least 21 days before election day or at the polls on election day.

MN Secretary of State pre-registration information and forms

2. What are the identification requirements to vote?

There are specific identification requirements that must be presented at the time you register. You must present one of the following items:

• A Minnesota driver's license, learners permit, state identification card, or the temporary receipt for one of these items. Ideally, the license or ID card will have the current address on it, and that's all the voter needs to register.

If the license or ID has a former address, the voter may bring a recent utility bill for proof of the current address. Whenever a voter uses a utility bill, it must have the voter's name and current address on it, and the due date must be within 30 days of the election. The bill can be for any of the usual utilities including gas, water, electric, waste removal, telephone, and cable TV.

• A "Notice of Late Registration" with the current address
• A school may provide a certified student list that shows students' campus addresses which can be used with a student photo ID card
• A student photo ID card with a utility bill
• A U.S. military photo ID card with a utility bill
• A U.S. passport with a utility bill
• Student ID card, fee, fee statement, or class registration, with the current address

Voucher: If you don't have any of these, you can still vote by having someone who is registered in the same precinct "vouch" for your identity and residence.

3. How can I find my caucus location?

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office offers a Precinct Caucus Finder.

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1. How do I report a street light that is out or needs repair?

• If the street light is near your home and you pay your Electric bill to the City of Buffalo, please utilize our 24 hour online Service Request form or call the City Center at 763-682-1001 to report it.
• If the street light is near your home and you pay your Electric bill to Wright Hennepin Electric,  please contact them at 763-477-3000 and they will be responsible for the Streetlight repairs. 

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1. How do I report a traffic signal problem?

Traffic signal problems should be reported to the City Center Administration desk at 763-682-1181. They will notify the proper agency at the state, county, or city level and order to have the signal problem corrected or repaired. 

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1. What is my responsibility as a resident to maintain property visibility as it pertains to traffic safety?

Overgrown vegetation blocking the view of traffic signs can lead to dangerous vehicle situations in our neighborhoods and streets.

Home/Business/Property Owners & Occupants 

Overgrown vegetation is required to be trimmed and maintained if it is blocking a traffic sign or signal adjacent to your property.  Signs must be visible to reduce accidents and ensure motorists and pedestrians to see crossing traffic and signage.

The City has adopted ordinances which require corner lots to be clear of structures, plantings, signage, etc. to allow for improved visibility. If there is a visibility issue,  City Staff will send a letter to the homeowner or occupant to correct the problem. If it is not corrected in a timely manner, the City will remove the obstruction at your expense.

2. Where do I report a concern about traffic visibility?

To report a concern or question, please email Carey Kotilinek or call 763-684-5425.

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1. What is the City of Buffalo's policy on snow plowing?

The City's snow plowing procedure varies depending on the amount of snowfall. 

If snowfall is approximately less than two inches, the major streets in the City system are plowed. Sanding is done at stop signs, hills, and curves in the entire City Limits. 

If snowfall is approximately more than two inches, then all City streets are plowed curb-to-curb and including the snow removal from the cul-de-sacs.

2. How does snowplowing affect parking on city streets?

After an accumulating snowfall , parking is prohibited until the street has been plowed curb-to-curb.  Violators may be ticketed or tagged and towed.

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1. How do I report a street maintenance problem?

Maintenance problems on City streets are reported to the Streets Superintendent Carey Kotilinek

• Email Carey Kotilinek 
• by phone at 763-684-5425.

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1. What is the annual Water Surcharge on my Utility Bill?

The Water Surcharge Fee is the annual MN Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Fee or service connection fee. For further information please read the Safe Drinking Water Fee article on the MN Department of Health website.