ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Holland, NY?
Town of Holland has 6 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Holland code says
Holland has no accessory dwelling provision under any name, in any district. The route to a second unit is a two-family dwelling: a principal use by right in R-1 and R-2, and a special permit use in R-A, the rural and agricultural district.
Conditions the code attaches:
- A one-family dwelling must be at least 1,120 sq ft on a single floor, or 1,440 sq ft over two or more, exclusive of garage and basement.
- Each unit of a two-family built on one level must average at least 720 sq ft exclusive of garage and basement, and a two-family on two levels needs a ground floor of at least 960 sq ft.
- So a small second unit does not qualify: the code sets a floor, not a ceiling, and a studio conversion is out.
- Each residential district also takes other uses the Town Board, on the Planning Board's recommendation, finds similar in nature to those permitted; it is discretionary, with no standards to design to.
- A site plan is required with every application for a building, zoning or special use permit.
What the Holland code indicates by district
The table below shows how each district treats ADUs, alongside the lot and setback standards that govern a second unit. District boundaries and conditions vary, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the district that applies to your parcel.
| District | Min lot | Setbacks F / S / R | Max height | ADU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Residential and Agricultural District | 5 ac | 50 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Medium Density Residential District (R-2) | 1.38 ac | 50 / 20 / 40 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Medium Density Residential District (R-1) | 0.23 ac | 25 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| General Business District | 2 ac | 40 / - / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Highway Business District | 0.92 ac | 40 / 15 / 30 ft | 20 ft | No |
| Manufacturing and Industrial District | 3 ac | 50 / 25 / 30 ft | 30 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Holland
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Holland. These are separate questions from whether you can build an ADU — a unit you're allowed to add isn't automatically one you're allowed to rent nightly, so check both. Municipal source
Good to know
- Residential lot minimum0.23–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Zoning codeecode360.com/7079061
- Building dept(716) 537-9443
ADU FAQ — Holland, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Holland, NY?
Town of Holland has 6 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 537-9443.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Holland?
No. No district in Town of Holland permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (716) 537-9443 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Holland?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Holland. ADU occupancy and short-term-rental rules are separate: an ADU you can build isn't automatically one you can rent nightly. Confirm both before you count on STR income.
What an ADU costs to build in Holland
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $200k–260k at a standard finish, and the per-square-foot rate comes in above a full house because the kitchen, bath, panel and heating plant cost the same either way. See the full cost to build an ADU in Holland, priced by size.
How we know this
- Sections analyzed
- § 120-22 (R-A) · § 120-23 (R-2) · § 120-24 (R-1) · §§ 120-25 through 120-28 · § 120-77
- Districts confirmed
- 6 of 6 — every mapped district.
- Last reviewed
- Not covered here
- Overlay districts, the zoning map, and any conditions attached to an individual parcel. Size limits and owner-occupancy terms sit in the code section above, not in this summary.
More on Holland: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · ADU rules across Erie County · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Town of Holland is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-09-16) and provided for decision-support only — not legal or architectural advice. ADU eligibility, size, owner-occupancy and permit conditions vary by district and often carry exceptions; verify with the building department at (716) 537-9443 before relying on any answer. Source: the Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset.