Can you build an ADU in Hancock, NY?

Residential (one- and two-family) - Any building must be set back 100 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream (§ 115-27). A two-family dwelling is permitted by right and needs no special permit or additional land.

• Group homes and retirement homes take their own row: the same 6,500 sq ft lot and 65 ft width, but a 15 ft side yard each side and a 25 ft rear yard, by special permit with site plan review.
• An individual campsite inside a campground is 2,500 sq ft and 40 ft wide, at no more than 10 units per acre, and the campground needs at least 15 acres with 150 ft of frontage on a public street.
• On a vacant lot between two improved lots the front yard is the average of the neighbours', floor 20 ft from the right-of-way (§ 115-21); side figures apply to each side, not a combined total.
• A corner lot takes a full front yard on each street and one rear yard, which the owner designates on the permit application (§ 115-18).
• An undersized lot of record may still be built on if the owner holds no adjoining vacant land that would make it conforming, but front and rear yards must meet the district minimum (§ 115-16).
• Only one residential structure is allowed per lot unless the lot area, yards and street frontage are met for each dwelling (§ 115-17), and off-street parking is 1 1/2 spaces per dwelling unit.

Residential (multifamily) - Confirm the 15 ft height limit with the Village before relying on it. Multifamily dwellings, three- and four-family conversions, mobile home parks and hotels or motels are all special permit uses here.

• An individual mobile home lot inside a park is 5,000 sq ft per State Health Department requirement, with 20 ft front and 15 ft side and rear yards, and the park itself must be at least two acres.
• A hotel or motel takes two acres, 200 ft of width, a 100 ft front setback and 40 ft to the side and rear, and apart from a restaurant sign no external evidence of accessory uses is allowed.
• Any building must be set back 100 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream (§ 115-27), and the code sets no per-unit land requirement for multifamily.
• For a three- or four-family conversion the Planning Board must find that floor area and sanitary conditions ensure livability, and that lot size suffices for the persons housed and their parking.
• On a vacant lot between two improved lots, the front yard is the average of the neighbours' front yards, with a floor of 20 ft from the street right-of-way (§ 115-21).
• A corner lot takes a full front yard on each street and one rear yard, which the owner designates on the permit application (§ 115-18).

General Business - The figures shown are for one- and two-family dwellings, which are permitted by right. Offices, banks, retail and the other listed commercial uses have no separate dimensions and need site plan review.

• Any building must be set back 100 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream (§ 115-27).
• Restaurants, taverns, hotels and motels need a special permit.
• Parking is 1 1/2 spaces per dwelling unit, and the Planning Board reviews the site plan or parking to confirm it suits both the size and the use of the site.
• On a vacant lot between two improved lots, the front yard is the average of the neighbours' front yards, with a floor of 20 ft from the street right-of-way (§ 115-21).
• Side yard figures apply to each side, not to a combined total.
• A corner lot takes a full front yard on each street and one rear yard, which the owner designates on the permit application (§ 115-18).

Downtown Business - The schedule sets no minimum lot size, lot width, front, side or rear yard, or building coverage limit in this district. Off-street parking of 2 spaces still applies.

• Any building must still be set back 100 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream (§ 115-27).
• Permitted uses, special permit uses and site plan review all follow the GB district, so one- and two-family dwellings are permitted by right.
• Only one residential structure is allowed per lot, unless the lot area, yards and street frontage are met for each dwelling (§ 115-17).
• Only one accessory building is allowed per lot; a detached residential one keeps 10 ft from side and rear lines and from the principal building (§ 115-25).

Industrial - Every industrial use here needs a special permit, and each listed use, including sawmills, lumberyards, warehousing, light manufacturing, trucking, junkyards and logging, also takes site plan review.

• Any building must be set back 100 feet from the high-water line of any lake, pond, river or stream (§ 115-27).
• Side yard figures apply to each side, not to a combined total.
• Off-street parking is one space per employee at peak shift capacity, subject to Planning Board review.
• A corner lot takes a full front yard on each street and one rear yard, which the owner designates on the permit application (§ 115-18).
• An undersized lot of record may still be built on if the owner holds no adjoining vacant land that would make it conforming, but front and rear yards must meet the district minimum (§ 115-16).
• Belfries, church spires, cupolas and domes not used for occupancy, plus chimneys, antennas, tanks and roof-mounted mechanical appurtenances, are exempt from the height limit (§ 115-26).