ADU · Rockland County
Can you build an ADU in Ramapo, NY?
Town of Ramapo has 24 districts. 20 districts prohibit ADUs, 2 allow them, 2 require a special-use permit. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Ramapo code says
An accessory apartment inside the house is allowed by right in R-15A and R-15C, and the owner need not live on site. It is not permitted in RR-50, R-40, R-40A, R-35, R-25, R-15, R-15MR, MR-16, NS, CS, PO, LO, PI, MR-12, MR-8, RSH, MU-1, MU-2, MU-3 or CC.
Conditions the code attaches:
- The apartment may not extend beyond the house's footprint, and can be up to 1,500 square feet but no more than half the house.
- The apartment needs a side or rear entrance.
- § 376-65 sets no kinship limit, age limit or bar on renting the apartment.
- In R-15C a townhouse-style three-family may have one apartment per unit (§ 376-65G), and none is allowed in the multifamily buildings the district permits on 40,000 square foot lots.
- An approved apartment can get its own certificate of occupancy and tax lot and be sold separately as a secondary dwelling unit (§ 376-68).
- R-15, R-15A and R-15C also permit a two-family house by right, which is a principal dwelling rather than an accessory unit.
How big an ADU can be in Ramapo
Size limits are set per district, and a unit inside the house is a different standard from a detached one. These are the figures the code publishes.
50% of the principal dwelling, or 1,500 sq ft — whichever is smaller
2 other districts allow an accessory unit but the code publishes no size for them here, so this page does not state one.
What the Ramapo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential RR-160 | 3.67 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Residential RR-80 | 1.84 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Residential RR-50 | 1.15 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-40 | 0.92 ac | 50 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-40A, Mixed Lot Sizes | 0.92 ac | 50 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-35 | 0.8 ac | 50 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-25 | 0.57 ac | 35 / 20 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-15 | 0.34 ac | 35 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential R-15A, Accessory Apartments Permitted | 0.34 ac | 35 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Density Residential Conversion | 0.34 ac | 35 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Mixed Residential | 0.34 ac | 35 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multifamily MR-16 | 4 ac | 35 / 35 / 35 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Neighborhood Shopping | 0.46 ac | 30 / 0 / 25 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Community Shopping | 0.92 ac | 35 / 20 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Professional Office | 0.46 ac | 30 / 0 / 25 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Laboratory-Office | 1.38 ac | 75 / 75 / 75 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Planned Industry | 0.92 ac | 75 / 50 / 50 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Multifamily MR-12 | — | — | — | No |
| Multifamily MR-8 | — | — | — | No |
| Specialized Housing Residential | 4 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Mixed Use MU-1 | 0.46 ac | 20 / 0 / 25 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Mixed Use MU-2 | 10 ac | 100 / 80 / 50 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Mixed Use MU-3 | 200 ac | 100 / 80 / 50 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Commercial Corridor | 0.57 ac | 35 / 20 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
Residential RR-160 - Side setbacks must total 100 ft, so 30 ft on each side will not do; a workable layout is closer to 50 ft and 50 ft. The lot also needs 150 ft of street frontage, a separate standard from the 200 ft lot width.
- The 20% coverage cap is a development coverage, not just a building footprint cap, so it counts more than the house itself.
- The setback figures are what the principal building must keep. Accessory structures and projections follow smaller yard standards published alongside them.
Residential RR-80 - The side setbacks must add to at least 100 ft for the pair, so 30 ft on each side falls 40 ft short. Street frontage of 150 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- Adult student housing answers to a different row by special permit: 4 acres on 400 ft of width, 35 ft to each side and 70 ft for the pair, 40 ft of height, 65% coverage and a 0.75 floor area ratio.
- The front setback for that row depends on the road it fronts: 50 ft on a Town or County road and 100 ft on a State road.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential RR-50 - The side setbacks must add to at least 75 ft for the pair, so 30 ft on each side falls 15 ft short. Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-40 - The side setbacks must add to at least 70 ft for the pair, so 25 ft on each side falls 20 ft short. Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- A house of worship in this district takes two acres on two hundred feet of width, with a hundred-foot front setback.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-40A, Mixed Lot Sizes - § 376-20 describes this district as permitting mixed lot sizes, and § 376-1213 governs residential development here. Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The 25 ft side setback applies to each side, and the pair must add to at least 70 ft.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-35 - The side setbacks must add to at least 60 ft for the pair, so 25 ft on each side falls 10 ft short. Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-25 - The side setbacks must add to at least 50 ft for the pair, so 20 ft on each side falls 10 ft short. Street frontage of 90 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-15 - The side setbacks must add to at least 40 ft for the pair, so 15 ft on each side falls 10 ft short. Street frontage of 85 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- A two-family detached house needs 0.4591 acres on 125 ft of width, a 20 ft side setback with 50 ft for the pair, coverage up to 55%, and street frontage of 125 ft rather than 85 ft.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Residential R-15A, Accessory Apartments Permitted - Street frontage of 85 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- A semiattached house takes 0.2296 acres on 62.5 ft of width with a 20 ft side setback but only 20 ft for the pair, so one side may carry nearly all of it, and coverage rises to 55%.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Density Residential Conversion - Footnotes that apply only in this district raise the height from 35 ft to 40 ft, with the stated purpose of enhancing roof design, and the floor area ratio from 0.40 to 0.90.
- A semiattached house takes 0.2296 acres on 62.5 ft of width with 55% coverage, and a 20 ft side setback that footnotes here cut to 10 ft, with 10 ft for the pair and 30 ft to the rear.
- Multifamily needs at least 0.9183 acres, which the table calls an inextricable element of the use rather than a dimension, on 150 ft of width, with 40 ft of height and 65% coverage.
- Multifamily side setbacks may be cut to 10 ft, and the pair to 20 ft, for parking but not for structures, and balconies and decks projecting no more than 12 ft are excluded from the rear yard.
- Converting an existing one-family detached house falls under a further row at two acres, and large-lot development here is governed by § 376-67.
- Street frontage of 85 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, and the setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep, where an accessory structure keeps a smaller yard figure.
Mixed Residential - The figures shown are for a one-family house; the other uses that define this district each come with their own complete set of figures. Street frontage of 85 feet is required as well as the lot width shown.
- Townhouses and garden apartments need 15 acres by special permit on 150 ft of width, 25 ft front and rear, 15 ft each side with 30 ft for the pair, 40 ft of height and 65% coverage.
- A semiattached house takes 0.2296 acres on 62.5 ft of width, with a 20 ft side setback and 20 ft for the pair, and 55% coverage.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Multifamily MR-16 - The 4-acre minimum is for a multifamily building, and density is capped at 16 units per acre.
- A house of worship here needs a hundred and sixty thousand square feet instead.
- Street frontage of 150 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Neighborhood Shopping, Professional Office - No side yard is required in this district, but one that is provided must be at least ten feet. Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Community Shopping - The figures shown are for other retail stores and service establishments. A parking lot or garage, an automotive washing or repair facility, a restaurant, a theatre and a warehouse each follow a different row of figures.
- A warehouse associated with retail is capped at thirty thousand square feet.
- Street frontage of 200 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Laboratory-Office - Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards. Active adult senior citizen housing developments here are governed separately by § 376-167.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Planned Industry - Street frontage of 100 feet is required as well as the lot width shown, and the two are separate standards. Sales and showroom facilities here are governed separately by § 376-1211.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap, so it counts more than the building.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Multifamily MR-12 - Beyond the density shown, the code publishes no lot area, width, setback, height or coverage figures for this district.
- The building department is the only source for these standards on a parcel here.
Multifamily MR-8 - The density shown is the only standard the code publishes for this district: no row of its table of bulk requirements reaches it.
- Confirm any lot, setback or height requirement with the building department.
Specialized Housing Residential - Nothing is permitted by right in this district, so the figures shown describe a Town Board special permit rather than an entitlement. They are the figures for active adult senior citizen housing under § 376-163.
- For that use, the floor area ratio of 0.40 rises to 0.60 on a site of less than fifteen acres, and coverage is set by reference to § 376-163 rather than as a number.
- Housing for the physically handicapped under § 376-166 takes two acres on two hundred feet of width, with a fifty-foot front setback, fifteen feet of height and forty percent coverage.
- Congregate care under § 376-164 and assisted living each take ten acres on four hundred feet of width, with a hundred-foot front setback.
- Congregate care and assisted living are also held to a forty-five-foot height, thirty percent coverage and a floor area ratio of 0.30.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Mixed Use MU-1 - § 376-20 describes this district as at least sixty percent commercial with some residential. No side yard is required, but one that is provided must be at least ten feet.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Mixed Use MU-2 - § 376-20 describes this district as residential with up to fifty percent commercial. A lot needs 600 ft of street frontage as well as the lot width shown.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Mixed Use MU-3 - The 200-acre minimum is part of the use itself, so a mixed-use development here is prohibited on anything smaller. It may be assembled from several adjacent tax lots in common ownership if the gross total is reached within the Town of Ramapo.
- The Town Board may increase the 45 ft height under § 376-1219B, so it is a starting point rather than a ceiling.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
Commercial Corridor - The figures shown are for garden apartments, townhouses and multiple family dwellings under § 376-66C. Every commercial use permitted here borrows its figures from another district by cross-reference, so it answers to whichever district the use table points to.
- § 376-20 describes this district as at least seventy percent commercial or office use.
- A gas station needs a Planning Board special permit and takes sixty thousand square feet on two hundred and fifty feet of width, with a twenty-five-foot height cap.
- A theatre or cinema takes two acres on three hundred feet of width with a sixty-foot front setback, and a school takes eighty thousand square feet.
- The coverage shown is development coverage, not a building-footprint cap.
- The setbacks shown are what the principal building must keep; an accessory structure or a projection keeps a smaller yard figure.
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Ramapo
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Ramapo. Ramapo has no local short-term rental law, and Chapter 376 of the town code has no short-term rental ban or registry. That is not the same as permission, so confirm with the building department before counting on the use. 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.
Good to know
- Residential lot minimum0.34–4 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Zoning codeecode360.com/11858832
- Building dept(845) 357-5100
ADU FAQ — Ramapo, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Ramapo, NY?
Town of Ramapo has 24 districts. 20 districts prohibit ADUs, 2 allow them, 2 require a special-use permit. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 357-5100.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Ramapo?
It depends on the district: 2 of 24 require a special-use permit, the rest do not. Check the district that applies to your parcel before you design.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Ramapo?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Ramapo. 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 Ramapo
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $225k–295k 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 Ramapo, priced by size.
How we know this
- Districts confirmed
- 24 of 24 — 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 Ramapo: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · ADU rules across Rockland County · All Rockland County towns
ADU information for Town of Ramapo is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-07-20) 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 (845) 357-5100 before relying on any answer. Source: the Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset.