What Buffalo’s official guidance says
The City says its Bureau of Forestry maintains and preserves the public urban forest, including street trees within the City right-of-way, as well as trees in parks and on City-owned lots. The Bureau directs people to call 311 for an inspection or a request about right-of-way trees.
The City’s Forestry FAQ says to use 311 to register a concern or request an inspection or work on trees in the right-of-way. It says a reference number is assigned so the request can be tracked. Those sources describe tree-care requests; they do not say who is responsible for grinding a tree stump.
Is the stump in the City right-of-way?
The Forestry FAQ says the right-of-way for a new tree is most often between the sidewalk and curb. That is helpful orientation, not a determination of the boundary at a particular address. If a stump is in that strip, describe its exact location to 311 and ask the City to confirm whether it is in the right-of-way.
What the City has not confirmed
The published Forestry page and FAQ do not say whether the City will grind a stump, whether a homeowner may arrange the work, who would pay, or whether there is a separate stump-grinding permit or approval. Do not assume that the City will grind it—or that you can hire someone to do it without checking first.
The FAQ separately says a DPW Tree Work Permit is required to prune, plant, or remove trees within the City right-of-way. It does not mention stump grinding. Ask 311 whether any permit or City approval applies to the specific stump rather than extending the tree-work rule by assumption.
How to ask the City
Call 311 or (716) 851-4890, or use the City’s Buffalo 311 self-service portal. The portal lists Forestry as a request category.
- Give the street address and explain where the stump sits—for example, between the curb and sidewalk.
- Ask whether the location is City right-of-way and whether Forestry handles stump grinding there.
- Ask whether any permit, approval, or separate request is needed before anyone grinds it.
- Request the reference number so you can track the City request.
Private-yard stumps are a separate issue
This guide is only about a possible City tree-lawn or right-of-way stump. The City pages cited here do not establish responsibility for a stump in a private yard. For general private-yard grinding, see our independent stump-grinding guide; it explains the work and questions to ask without representing the City or any contractor.