ADU · Westchester County
Can you build an ADU in Port Chester, NY?
Village of Port Chester has 16 districts. 12 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Port Chester code says
An accessory dwelling unit is allowed only in CD-3, CD-3.R20, CD-3.R7 and CD-3.R5, on a lot whose principal use is a single-family dwelling, with a special exception permit. The permit voids on sale or vacancy unless a complete submission for a new permit is made within 60 days.
Conditions the code attaches:
- If approval is not sought in time or is denied, the property must revert to single-family status, removing permanent cooking facilities and a detached unit's water and sanitary links to the house.
- All facilities are subject to annual inspection, and a property seeking approval may have no open violations.
- A moratorium on accessory dwelling units, L.L. No. 16-2024 adopted 10-7-2024, appears to have lapsed; confirm its status with the building department.
- Building department: (914) 939-5203.
What the Port Chester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character District 3 | — | 10 / 10 / 6 ft | — | Occupancy restricted |
| Character District 3 R20 | 0.46 ac | 40 / 15 / 40 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Character District 3 R7 | 0.17 ac | 30 / 5 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Character District 3 R5 | 0.11 ac | 25 / 8 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Character District 4 | — | 3 / 7 / 3 ft | — | No |
| Character District 4 Mixed Use | — | 0 / 0 / 3 ft | — | No |
| Character District 5 | — | 0 / 0 / - ft | — | No |
| Character District 5 Waterfront | — | 0 / 12 / 25 ft | — | No |
| Character District 5 Transit | — | 0 / 0 / - ft | — | No |
| Character District 6 | — | 0 / 0 / - ft | — | No |
| Character District 6 Transit | — | 0 / 0 / - ft | — | No |
| Special District - Planned Residential Development | — | — | — | No |
| Special District - Planned Mixed Use | — | — | — | No |
| Civic District | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | — | No |
| C1 District | — | 3 / 7 / 3 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Two-Family Residential District | 0.11 ac | 20 / 8 / 30 ft | 30 ft | No |
Special District - Planned Residential Development - SD-PRD has no fixed dimensional standards: each planned residential development's standards are set project by project in its own certified Development Parcel Plan under Article 5.
- Under § 345-506A, special districts are for parcels that cannot meet a standard character district's requirements because of size, use or configuration, and are to be used sparingly.
Special District - Planned Mixed Use - SD-PMU has no fixed dimensional standards: each planned mixed use development's standards are set project by project in its own certified Development Parcel Plan under Article 5.
- Under § 345-506A, special districts are for parcels that cannot meet a standard character district's requirements because of size, use or configuration, and are to be used sparingly.
Civic District - The front yard has a maximum as well as a minimum: it may take up no more than 50 ft of lot depth. A principal building may rise no more than 20 ft above the maximum height of any adjacent character district (Table 345.405.B).
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Port Chester
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Port Chester. The Village of Port Chester has no local short-term rental law, and that is not the same as permission. 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 minimum0.11 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCon Edison territory.
- Zoning codeecode360.com/PO0100
- Building dept(914) 939-5203
ADU FAQ — Port Chester, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Port Chester, NY?
Village of Port Chester has 16 districts. 12 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (914) 939-5203.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Port Chester?
No district in Village of Port Chester requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 12 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Port Chester?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Port Chester. 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 Port Chester
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $235k–310k 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 Port Chester, priced by size.
How we know this
- Sections analyzed
- Table 345.405.K-2 and note 5 · § 345-405(8)(b)[4] · § 345-405(7) · § 345-1003 · § 345-201
- Districts confirmed
- 16 of 16 — 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 Port Chester: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · ADU rules across Westchester County · All Westchester County towns
ADU information for Village of Port Chester is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-26) 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 (914) 939-5203 before relying on any answer. Source: the Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset.