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ADU · Rensselaer County

Are ADUs allowed in Rensselaer County, NY?

There is no county-wide answer. In New York an accessory dwelling unit is governed by the town, city or village — so the rule changes at every municipal line, and often between districts inside one town. Below is each of the 17 municipalities in Rensselaer County, with what its zoning districts actually say.

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ADU rules by municipality in Rensselaer County

Can you build an ADU in Rensselaer, NY?

6 districts prohibit ADUs, 2 allow them with occupancy restrictions.

An accessory dwelling unit needs a special use permit in R-2 and is permitted by right in MU-2, and the owner must live in the house or the unit. It is capped at 35% of the principal dwelling or 400 square feet, whichever is less.

Ch. 179 Zoning: Art I § 179-4 Definitions (dwelling unit, accessory; building, accessory); Art II § 179-5 and §§ 179-6 through 179-21 (each district and its Bulk and Use Table), § 179-22 PDD, § 179-23 Historic Overlay; Art III § 179-24 Special use permits, § 179-33 Accessory buildings and dwelling units A(1)-A(5), B(1)-B(8); 179 Attachments 1-8 Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Rensselaer ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Troy, NY?

5 districts prohibit ADUs, 5 allow them with occupancy restrictions, 2 allow them. 8 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 279-7180.

An accessory dwelling unit is permitted in the SF, TF, MF, MU-1, MU-2, DMU and C-I use districts. Except in MU-2 and DMU, the property owner must live in either the primary or the accessory unit as their primary residence.

City of Troy Ch. 285 Zoning, Land Use, and Development Ordinance (Recode Troy, enacted April 2023): Art IV § 285-27 Use Districts, § 285-28 Development Intensity Zones; Art V § 285-31 Applicability of the Schedule of Permitted Uses, §§ 285-33 to 285-40; Art VII § 285-47 Accessory dwellings A-H; Schedule A: Permitted Uses and key Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full Troy ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Berlin, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

No accessory apartment use. A house with a second unit is a two-family dwelling, which is permitted by right in R-1, R-2 and C and by special permit in RU. The Industrial district permits no dwelling.

Town of Berlin Land Use Regulations (posted at berlinnyus.gov): Art II Establishment of Land Use Districts A (R-1, R-2, C, I, RU; FF-O overlay) and B; Art III Use Regulations A — District Schedule of Use Regulations, its Residential/General/Commercial/Industrial blocks and key; Art V(J) residential cluster development; Art VII site plan review; Definitions (accessory use; prohibited use) Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Berlin ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Brunswick, NY?

7 districts allow ADUs with a special-use permit, 4 do not.

An accessory apartment needs a special use permit in A-40, R-40, R-25, R-15, R-9, BL-O and H. The code sets no size cap, no owner-occupancy rule and no bar on renting it.

Town of Brunswick Zoning Law, Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2017 (adopted 6-22-2017): § 160-12 Definitions (accessory apartment; accessory structure; accessory use; dwelling, two-family); Schedule of Uses, columns A-40, AO, R-40, R-25, R-15, R-9, B-15, BL, BL-O, H, IND-L, IND-H, REC; Schedule of Off-Street Parking Space Standards; Article 8 special use permits. Also LL 2 and 3 of 2021 and LL 1 of 2023 (two-family/multifamily moratorium and repeal) Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Brunswick ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in East Greenbush, NY?

All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions.

An ADU needs a special use permit in every district. At a residence the permit is temporary, for up to two family members directly related to the owners or an on-premises caretaker to a family member living there, and expires when those occupants leave or the house is sold.

Ch. 57 Zoning: Art II §§ 57-12 A-R, 57-13 R-OS, 57-14 R-B, 57-15 R-1, 57-16 R-1A, 57-17 R-2, 57-18 R-3, 57-20 PPB, 57-21 B-1, 57-22 B-2, 57-23 O, 57-24 OC, 57-25 OI, 57-26 CI (Accessory uses lists); Art III § 57-45 Accessory dwelling units A(1)-A(4) and B(1)-B(9); Art VIII Definitions; 57 Attachment 2 Table II-A Use Schedule and its disclaimer Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full East Greenbush ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Hoosick, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

Hoosick has no accessory dwelling use. A two-family dwelling is permitted by right in H, LIC, RR, AR and CRM.

Ch. 247 Land Use (L.L. No. 2-2009, am. through L.L. No. 1-2019): Art II § 247-5 Use districts, § 247-6 Map, § 247-8 Permitted uses; prohibited uses, § 247-9; Art III § 247-10 Schedule of use regulations (unlisted-use provision), § 247-11 District schedule of use regulations; Art IV § 247-12, § 247-16; Art VI Supplemental Regulations; Art VII Special Permits Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Hoosick ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Nassau, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

Town of Nassau Land Use and Development Regulations, Consolidated (last updated 9/10/07): Art II land use districts and purposes; Art IIA Adult Use overlay; Art III A Schedule of Use Regulations — District Schedule of Use Regulations, Residential and Non-Residential blocks, and its legend; Art IV Area and Bulk Regulations B and C (as amended by L.L. No. 4 of 1995); Art V; Art X variances Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full Nassau ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in North Greenbush, NY?

7 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions, 2 require a special-use permit. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 283-5313.

A detached carriage house needs a special permit in AR and R-1, but only on a lot of at least five acres with a primary residence over 4,000 square feet. In R-2, R-3 and R-4 the only accessory unit is an attached caregiver unit whose permit ends when its occupants leave.

Ch. 197 Zoning: Art II § 197-3 Definitions (carriage house; caregiver; dwelling, caregiver/receiver temporary); Art III § 197-4 Zoning districts (am. 3-14-2024 by L.L. No. 1-2024); Art IV § 197-7 Use schedule (Table 1), § 197-10; Art V § 197-12C Carriage houses C(1)(a)-(k) and C(2), § 197-13; Art VII § 197-31.1 Caregiver/receiver temporary dwelling unit A, B, C(1)-(8); 197 Attachment 1 Table 1 Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full North Greenbush ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Poestenkill, NY?

All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions.

An accessory family dwelling unit is permitted in RR-1, RR-2, R, RA, H and CLI, but only for a family member or caregiver of the primary resident, and it may not be rented. It is capped at 625 square feet of living space.

Ch. 150 Land Use: Art II § 150-4 Definitions (accessory family dwelling unit; accessory structure); Art III Land Use Districts; Art IV § 150-15; Art VII § 150-36 Accessory family dwelling units A(1)-(2), B(1)-(10); Art VIII site plan review; Art IX Planned Development District; Art X Natural Products District; 150 Attachment 2 District Schedule of Use Regulations (am. through L.L. No. 2-2021) and its key Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Poestenkill ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Sand Lake, NY?

5 districts allow ADUs with a special-use permit, 1 does not.

An accessory dwelling unit needs a special use permit in RR, AR, R, HMU and HC and is capped at 800 square feet. The owner must live in the house or the unit and may rent the other.

Ch. 250 Zoning (L.L. No. 4-2017): Art III § 250-10, § 250-11; Art IV § 250-15 Use Table, § 250-16, § 250-17; Art V § 250-20 Dimensional Table, § 250-24; Art VI § 250-34 Accessory buildings, structures and dwellings A-F(1)-(5); Art XXII Definitions (dwelling unit, accessory; dwelling, two-family); 250 Attachment 1 Use Table and key Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Sand Lake ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Schaghticoke, NY?

6 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions.

An accessory apartment needs a special use permit and site plan approval in RA, R and R40, and the dwelling must be owner-occupied. Within 60 days after every sale the Building Inspector inspects to confirm the owner lives there.

Town of Schaghticoke Zoning Law (eCode360 Ch. 125 is a stub): district use tables for RA, R, R 40, HD - All Hamlets, HC, HC-1 and MD, each with Permitted Principal Uses / Permitted Accessory Uses / Special Permit Uses; Section IV Area and Bulk Regulations; Section VII site plan approval; Section XIII item 25 Accessory Apartments (a)(1)-(8) and (d) Change of Ownership Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full Schaghticoke ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Schodack, NY?

6 districts prohibit ADUs, 2 allow them with occupancy restrictions, 1 requires a special-use permit.

An accessory apartment needs a special use permit in RA, R and HM. In RA and R the principal one-family dwelling must be owner-occupied, and the apartment may take no more than 35% of its habitable space.

Ch. 219 Zoning (amended in its entirety 6-26-2025): Art II § 219-11 Definitions (accessory apartment; accessory structure); Art III § 219-12 Enumeration of districts, § 219-13 Purposes, § 219-20 Planned Waterfront; Art IV § 219-24 Schedule of Use Regulations, § 219-25 area and bulk; Art V § 219-40 Accessory apartments A(1)(a)-(f) and B(1)-(3), § 219-60; Art XI Site Plan Review; 219 Attachment 1 Schedule of Use Table (Supp 6, Jun 2025), its key and notes Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Schodack ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Stephentown, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

Stephentown has no accessory dwelling use, and any use not listed in its schedule is prohibited. A two-family dwelling is permitted by right in R-1, C, I and RU, the same as a one-family dwelling.

Town of Stephentown Local Law No. 1 of 2014 (Amended Land Use Regulations): Art II A Land Use Districts; Art III A Schedule of Use Regulations — District Schedule of Use Regulations and key, Residential/General/Commercial/Accessory Uses blocks and the EF mine-closure note; Art III area and bulk; Art IV K One-Family/Two-Family Dwelling; Definitions (apartment; accessory use; permitted use; prohibited use) Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Stephentown ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Castleton-on-Hudson, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

Castleton-on-Hudson has no accessory dwelling use. A two-family dwelling is permitted in R, and in MU subject to a footnote in the use schedule.

Ch. 210 Zoning (adopted 3-26-1984): Art II Terminology; Art III Establishment of Land Use Districts; Arts VI and VII additional standards; Art X Flood Hazard Overlay; Supplementary Regulations; Appendix I Schedule of Use Regulations (210 Attachment 3), its key and Residential/Residential Accessory blocks; 210 Attachments 1 and 2 Schedules of Area Regulations Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full Castleton-on-Hudson ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in East Nassau, NY?

All districts allow ADUs.

An accessory dwelling unit is permitted by right in RR, HAM and WR, one per single-family lot, up to 40% of the house's living space or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. The law sets no owner-occupancy rule and does not bar renting it.

Village of East Nassau Local Law No. 1 of 2025, "Accessory Dwelling Unit Law" (introduced 9-10-2025, adopted 11-12-2025), amending Local Law No. 1 of 2019: Section 1 Legislative Intent; Section 3.A adding Accessory Dwelling Unit to the Article III Section 1 District Schedule of Use Regulations as permitted (P) in Hamlet, Rural Residential and Waterfront Residential; Section 3.B adding the Article XII definition; Section 3.C adding Article V Section 2.D(1)-(3) Accessory Dwelling Unit to the Supplementary Regulations; Section 6 Effective date. Local Law No. 1 of 2019: Section 2 land use districts (RR, HAM, WR); Article III Section 1 Schedule of Use Regulations and its legend; Area and Bulk Regulations schedule Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full East Nassau ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Hoosick Falls, NY?

All districts prohibit ADUs.

Hoosick Falls has no accessory dwelling use, and in R-1, R-2 and R-3 a single-family house is the only residential use, so there is no way to add a second household there. Two-family and multifamily dwellings are permitted only in DC.

Village of Hoosick Falls Zoning Law, Ch. Z (L.L. No. 1-2016): Art 1 General Provisions; Art 2 Definitions (dwelling unit; dwelling, two-family; dwelling, multi-family); Art 3 District Regulations; Art 4 Supplementary Regulations; Art 6 Administration and Enforcement; Attachment 1 Use Schedule (Residential Uses and Accessory Uses blocks) and its key; Attachment 2 Area and Bulk Schedule Reviewed 2026-09-16 Full Hoosick Falls ADU rules →

Can you build an ADU in Nassau, NY?

3 districts prohibit ADUs, 1 requires a special-use permit. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 766-3044.

An accessory apartment is allowed only in the R3,500 district, by special permit from the Planning Board plus site plan approval. It must be within a single-family dwelling or within an accessory structure to one, such as a barn or garage.

Ch. 120 Zoning (am. in its entirety 2-13-2019): Art II § 120-2, § 120-2.1; Art III § 120-6 Definitions (accessory apartment); Art V §§ 120-14 to 120-16 (R5A); Art VI §§ 120-20 to 120-22 (R10,000); Art VII § 120-27, § 120-28, § 120-29A(1) (R3,500); Art VIII (GB); Art IX (LC Overlay); Art XI Special Permits; Art XII Site Plan Approval; Art XIII § 120-57 Dwellings Reviewed 2026-08-05 Full Nassau ADU rules →

Rensselaer County municipalities with no published zoning code

These 5 municipalities have no zoning code we can read online, which means an ADU question has to be answered by the municipality itself.

ADU questions people ask about Rensselaer County

Are ADUs allowed in Rensselaer County?

There is no single county-wide answer — ADUs are governed by each town, city and village, not by the county. Of the 17 Rensselaer County municipalities with mapped zoning districts, 11 allow an accessory dwelling unit in at least one district, and 2 allow one by right somewhere. The section for your municipality below gives the specific answer.

Does Rensselaer County issue ADU permits?

No. Zoning approval and building permits both come from the municipality — the town, city or village — not the county. County health departments do commonly review septic and water supply for a new dwelling unit, which is often the binding constraint on a rural lot.

What size ADU can I build in Rensselaer County?

Size caps are set per municipality and frequently per district, and they are one of the details most often stated wrongly by national ADU sites. Open your municipality's page below for the code sections analyzed, then confirm the current figure with the building department before you design to it.

What an ADU costs to build in Rensselaer County

Permission and budget are separate questions. See the Rensselaer County cost-to-build breakdown for current per-square-foot ranges — an accessory unit runs above a full house per square foot, because the kitchen, bath, panel and heating plant cost the same at any size.

ADU information for Rensselaer County is compiled from each municipality's own code , most recently reviewed 2026-09-16, and provided for decision-support only — not legal or architectural advice. Eligibility, size, owner-occupancy and permit conditions vary by district and often carry exceptions; confirm with the municipality before relying on any answer. 3 of the 17 municipalities below still have one or more districts that have not been analyzed, and each says so in its own section. Source: the Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset.

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