ADU · Westchester County
Can you build an ADU in White Plains, NY?
City of White Plains has 35 districts. 25 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. 6 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (914) 422-1269. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the White Plains code says
Accessory servants quarters are allowed only in R1-30, R1-20, R1-12.5 and R1-7.5, by special permit. Occupancy is tied to domestic employment, so the unit cannot be let to a tenant at large.
Conditions the code attaches:
- It is not allowed in R1-5, R2-4, R2-2.5, RM-1, RM-1.5, RM-1.5T, RM-2, RM-2.5, RM-0.35, RM-0.4, RM-0.7, C-O, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, BR-1, BR-2, CB-1, CB-2, CB-3, CB-4, O-R, UR-4 or LI.
- In PSRDD the rule there is not confirmed.
- A two-family dwelling is a permitted principal use in R2-4, R2-2.5 and the RM districts, but not in any one-family district.
- Depending on the district, up to two roomers per dwelling unit, or up to one per dwelling unit in a one-family or two-family dwelling, is a permitted accessory use; a roomer is not a second unit.
- Building department: (914) 422-1269.
What the White Plains 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 One Family | 0.46 ac | 35 / 20 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family | 0.69 ac | 75 / 25 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family | 0.29 ac | 25 / 20 / 30 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family | 0.17 ac | 25 / 12 / 30 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family | 0.11 ac | 25 / 7 / 25 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Residential One and Two Family | 0.11 ac | 25 / 7 / 25 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Residential One and Two Family | 0.11 ac | 20 / 5 / 25 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.11 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.11 ac | 25 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Townhouse | 0.11 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.46 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.11 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.23 ac | 10 / 15 / 30 ft | 125 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | 0.34 ac | 30 / - / - ft | 125 ft | No |
| Residential Multi-Family | — | 5 / 0 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Campus Office | 10 ac | 75 / 80 / 150 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Restricted Business | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Neighborhood Business | — | 15 / 5 / 30 ft | 25 ft | No |
| Intermediate Business | — | 5 / 0 / 15 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Enclosed Mall | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 90 ft | No |
| Business Residential-1 | — | 5 / 0 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Business Residential-2 | — | 5 / 0 / 25 ft | 75 ft | No |
| Core Business-1 | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Core Business-2 | — | 5 / 0 / 0 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Core Business-3 | — | 5 / 0 / 0 ft | 125 ft | No |
| Core Business-4 | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 230 ft | No |
| Office-Residential | 0.11 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Urban Renewal Central Business-4 | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 150 ft | No |
| Light Industrial | 0.11 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Planned Senior Residential Development | 20 ac | 75 / 75 / 55 ft | 65 ft | — |
| Light-Industrial-Mixed Use | 0.11 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 50 ft | — |
| Light-Industrial-Mixed Use 2 | 0.11 ac | 5 / 5 / 10 ft | 50 ft | — |
| Transit Development-1 | — | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 150 ft | — |
| Transit Development-2 | 9.18 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 420 ft | — |
| Planned Residential Development | 15 ac | 100 / 20 / 20 ft | 85 ft | — |
Residential One Family - The 20% coverage cap counts all buildings; the main building alone may cover no more than 16% of the lot, and accessory buildings no more than 5%.
- On a lot over 40,000 sq ft, all buildings may cover no more than 8,000 sq ft, the main building no more than 5,000 sq ft, and the floor area ratio may not exceed 0.30 (footnote (u)).
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from a side lot line, 15 ft from a rear lot line and 20 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Residential One Family - The 20% coverage cap counts all buildings; the main building alone may cover no more than 14% of the lot, and accessory buildings no more than 5%.
- On a lot over 40,000 sq ft, all buildings may cover no more than 8,000 sq ft, the main building no more than 5,000 sq ft, and the floor area ratio may not exceed 0.30 (footnote (u)).
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from a side lot line, 15 ft from a rear lot line and 20 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Residential One Family - The 25% coverage cap counts all buildings; the main building alone may cover no more than 18% of the lot, and accessory buildings no more than 7%.
- On a lot over 40,000 sq ft, all buildings may cover no more than 8,000 sq ft, the main building no more than 5,000 sq ft, and the floor area ratio may not exceed 0.30 (footnote (u)).
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from side and rear lot lines and 20 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Residential One Family - The 25% coverage cap counts all buildings; the main building alone may cover no more than 22% of the lot, and accessory buildings no more than 7%.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Residential One Family - The 30% coverage cap counts all buildings; the main building alone may cover no more than 25% of the lot, and accessory buildings no more than 10%.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- An accessory building of fire-proof construction approved by the Commissioner of Building that abuts the rear yard of an adjoining lot has no minimum distance from the rear lot line (footnote (i)).
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Residential One and Two Family - The figures shown are for a one-family house. A two-family dwelling, also on a lot of at least 5,000 sq ft, needs at least 75 ft of frontage, side yards of at least 12 ft on one side and 25 ft combined, and at least 4,000 sq ft of lot area per dwelling unit.
- For a two-family dwelling, all buildings may cover no more than 25% of the lot and the main building no more than 22%, and the floor area ratio is 0.55.
- For a one-family house, the main building alone may cover no more than 25% of the lot and accessory buildings no more than 10%.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- An accessory building of fire-proof construction approved by the Commissioner of Building that abuts the rear yard of an adjoining lot has no minimum distance from the rear lot line (footnote (i)).
Residential One and Two Family - The same figures serve one-family and two-family dwellings. The main building alone may cover no more than 26% of the lot, inside the 30% cap for all buildings, and accessory buildings no more than 10%.
- By special permit, an existing building that is non-conforming both as to use and dimensionally may be converted to multi-family dwellings on a lot of at least 17,500 sq ft (§ 6.7.34, footnote (x)).
- Such a conversion needs at least 900 sq ft of lot area and at least one parking space per dwelling unit, and allows a floor area ratio of 1.30 and 3 stories and 35 ft.
- The conversion may not increase building coverage or reduce any existing yard.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- An accessory building of fire-proof construction approved by the Commissioner of Building that abuts the rear yard of an adjoining lot has no minimum distance from the rear lot line (footnote (i)).
Residential Multi-Family - Land per dwelling unit drops to 500 sq ft where at least 20% of the units are affordable under § 9-7 of the Municipal Code (footnote (s)). On a lot over 15,000 sq ft, the Common Council may allow up to 6 stories or 65 ft by special permit (footnote (t)).
- Frontage must be at least 50 ft, and at least 75 ft for a multi-family dwelling (footnote (d)).
- Housing for the aged built under the Private Housing Finance Law needs at least 325 sq ft of land per dwelling unit (footnote (e)).
- A housing-for-the-aged project that is also a multi-family dwelling is subject to both of those rules.
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 5% of the lot, and an accessory structure must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines.
Residential Multi-Family - A multi-family dwelling needs at least 75 ft of frontage; the 50 ft frontage applies to one- and two-family dwellings (footnote (d)).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Residential Townhouse - Rows of attached townhouse units may be no longer than 8 units or 160 ft, and rows must be at least 20 ft apart (§ 5.4.5).
- Where a lot abuts another residential district, its side yard must equal that district's one-side-yard requirement (footnote (r)).
- Where it does not, the approving agency may reduce both side yards to 0 ft for units attached in a continuous row, on findings about building separation and design.
- A building may be no longer than 50 ft along the side facing a side yard.
- A multi-family dwelling needs at least 75 ft of frontage; the 50 ft frontage applies to one- and two-family dwellings (footnote (d)).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
Residential Multi-Family - Dimensional requirements apply to the entire urban renewal site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (b)).
- Where a structure has garages entered directly from a public street, its street level must be recessed at least 12 ft from the street line (footnote (c)).
- Eight or more dwelling units on a lot must be given improved recreation areas (§ 5.4.3).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot, and accessory structures may be up to 35 ft high.
Residential Multi-Family - A development of 25 or more dwelling units needs a front yard of at least 60 ft, side yards of 50 ft on one side and 125 ft combined, and a 30 ft rear yard (§ 5.4.4.4).
- A multi-family dwelling needs at least 75 ft of frontage; the 50 ft frontage applies to one- and two-family dwellings (footnote (d)).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Residential Multi-Family - Where the front yard is at least 20 ft, the Common Council may allow more storeys by special permit, within the same 125 ft height (footnote (n)).
- Housing for the aged built under the Private Housing Finance Law needs at least 325 sq ft of land per dwelling unit (footnote (e)).
- On a designated development site in two or more districts that permit multi-family dwellings, the Common Council may by special permit place the units anywhere on the site (footnote (v)).
- That is allowed only if the total does not exceed what each district allows and every dimensional requirement other than lot area per dwelling unit is met.
- On a designated development site in two or more districts, the Common Council may by special permit increase building coverage as if the site were a single lot (§ 6.7.27.3, footnote (w)).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Eight or more dwelling units on a lot must be given improved recreation areas (§ 5.4.3).
Residential Multi-Family - Side yards follow the building's height: up to 36 ft high, two-thirds of the height but at least 15 ft from each side lot line; taller, one-third of the height but at least 25 ft (footnote (g)).
- The rear yard is one-half the building height up to 45 ft, but at least 30 ft (footnote (h)).
- Residential uses must provide usable open space of at least 15 percent of gross floor area (footnote (l)).
- No accessory structures are permitted other than parking structures for private passenger vehicles (footnote (j)).
- Housing for the aged built under the Private Housing Finance Law needs at least 325 sq ft of land per dwelling unit (footnote (e)).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Eight or more dwelling units on a lot must be given improved recreation areas (§ 5.4.3).
Residential Multi-Family - The front yard may not be deeper than 15 ft (footnote (q)). Where a structure has garages entered directly from a public street, its street level must be recessed at least 12 ft from the street line (footnote (c)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- An accessory building of fire-proof construction approved by the Commissioner of Building that abuts the rear yard of an adjoining lot has no minimum distance from the rear lot line (footnote (i)).
Campus Office - Where the lot is adjacent to a residential district, one side yard is 200 ft (footnote (b)), and the two side yards together are 280 ft where adjacent on one side and 400 ft on two sides (footnote (c)).
- Parking lots must be at least 100 ft from any side or rear lot line abutting a residential district (footnote (d)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 5% of the lot, within the 10% cap for all buildings.
- In a Planned Campus Development District mapped over C-O land, the floor area ratio is 0.30 for non-residential uses, 0.2 for residential uses and 0.4 combined (§ 5.9).
- In that district, height is 50 ft for non-residential and 65 ft for residential uses, with the C-O lot, frontage and yards (§ 5.9).
- An accessory structure may be up to 25 ft high and must stand at least 100 ft from a side lot line and 150 ft from a rear lot line.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Restricted Business - No accessory buildings are permitted except those accessory to multi-family dwellings and parking garages for private passenger vehicles (footnote (e)).
Neighborhood Business - Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot, and no accessory building may stand in a side yard (footnote (g)).
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 5 ft from a side lot line, 30 ft from a rear lot line and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- The side lot line distance for an accessory structure has no minimum where it is of fire-proof construction approved by the Commissioner of Building (footnote (f)).
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Intermediate Business - In the Central Parking Area, the minimum lot area per dwelling unit falls from 800 sq ft to 400 (footnote (w)). There, the Common Council may by special permit let residential floors exceed the 50 ft height by up to 10 stories or 100 ft (footnote (x)).
- In the Central Parking Area, the residential floor area ratio may be increased to 2.6 and the non-residential ratio by 0.5, by special permit of the Common Council (footnote (i)).
- Outside the Central Parking Area, on a lot over 30,000 sq ft, lot area per dwelling unit is at least 600 sq ft, or at least 500 where at least 50% of units are affordable under Municipal Code § 9-7.
- Outside the Central Parking Area, on lots over 30,000 sq ft, residential floors may exceed the height by 1 story or 15 ft by special permit (footnote (x)).
- That rises to 2 stories or 20 ft where at least 50% of the dwelling units are affordable under § 9-7 of the Municipal Code.
- In the Central Parking Area, building parts above 50 ft may cover no more than 60% of the overall site in aggregate, except as § 5.5.3 provides or the Common Council allows by special permit.
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot; an accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 15 ft from a rear lot line and 10 ft from any unattached structure.
Enclosed Mall - The 6.00 floor area ratio applies in the Central Parking Area; outside it the ratio is 2.50 (footnote (t)).
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
- No accessory buildings are permitted except those accessory to multi-family dwellings and parking garages for private passenger vehicles (footnote (e)).
Business Residential-1 - Business non-residential uses are limited to sidewalk-level, ground-floor and second-floor space. By special permit of the Common Council, dwelling units may replace permitted non-residential floor area at one unit for each 700 sq ft (footnote (n)).
- Dwelling units that address the purposes of § 5.5.1.6 need 500 sq ft of lot area each (footnote (m)).
- Height may be increased by 15 ft where sidewalk-level ground-floor space is used for the purposes in § 5.5.2 (footnote (k)).
- Ground-floor space along commercial street frontage is generally limited to retail, personal service, eating and drinking, cultural and entertainment uses (§ 5.5.2).
- Usable open space is provided in an amount the approving agency determines (footnote (j)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Business Residential-2 - Business non-residential uses are limited to sidewalk-level, ground-floor and second-floor space. By special permit of the Common Council, dwelling units may replace permitted non-residential floor area at one unit for each 700 sq ft (footnote (n)).
- Dwelling units that address the purposes of § 5.5.1.6 need 500 sq ft of lot area each (footnote (m)).
- In the Central Parking Area, the rear yard is 0 ft for non-enclosed structures and parking facilities under 10 ft high (footnote (nn)).
- Ground-floor space along commercial street frontage is generally limited to retail, personal service, eating and drinking, cultural and entertainment uses (§ 5.5.2).
- Usable open space is provided in an amount the approving agency determines (footnote (j)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 12 ft from side and rear lot lines and 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Core Business-1 - Where sidewalk-level ground-floor space is used for a purpose in § 5.5.2, height may be increased by 15 ft (footnote (k)), and the Common Council may by special permit raise the non-residential floor area ratio by 0.4 (footnote (o)).
- No minimum lot area per dwelling unit applies to existing buildings on a lot or development site with no net increase in floor area and no reduction of any existing yard (footnote (jj)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10%, are permitted only as accessory to multi-family dwellings and parking garages (footnote (e)), and may not stand in a side yard (footnote (g)).
- Ground-floor space along commercial street frontage is generally limited to retail, personal service, eating and drinking, cultural and entertainment uses (§ 5.5.2).
- Eight or more dwelling units on a lot must be given improved recreation areas (§ 5.4.3).
- Usable open space is provided in an amount the approving agency determines (footnote (j)).
Core Business-2 - On lots of 35,000 sq ft or more, the maximum floor area ratio is 3.0 and the maximum height 85 ft (footnote (oo)). A front yard is required on every frontage, and it grows with the building's height (footnote (y), § 5.5.3.1).
- On Mamaroneck Avenue or East Post Road the front yard is 5 ft up to 45 ft of height and 25 ft above 45 ft; on other streets, 5 ft up to 45 ft and 15 ft above.
- On a development site over 50,000 sq ft fronting at least two streets, with 80 percent or more of the total floor area ratio residential, the ratio may be increased to 5.5 (footnote (l)).
- Using sidewalk-level ground-floor space for a § 5.5.2 purpose allows 15 ft more height (footnote (k)) and, by special permit, 0.4 more non-residential floor area ratio (footnote (o)).
- On sites or lots over 50,000 sq ft where 80 percent or more of the floor area ratio is residential, coverage may be 85% up to 45 ft, 60% from 46 to 180 ft and 40% from 46 to 230 ft (§ 5.5.3.3).
- In the Central Parking Area, building parts above 50 ft may cover no more than 60% of the overall site in aggregate, except as § 5.5.3 provides or the Common Council allows by special permit.
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
Core Business-3 - On a development site over 50,000 sq ft with frontage on at least two streets, where 50 percent or more of the total floor area ratio is residential, the floor area ratio may be increased to 5.5 (footnote (p)).
- On sites or lots over 50,000 sq ft with 50 percent or more of the floor area ratio residential, a table by site size replaces height and coverage, starting at up to 90 ft at 85% coverage (§ 5.5.3.2).
- That table runs to 180 and 230 ft and, on sites of 100,000 sq ft or more, 280 ft, with coverage falling to 20% at the top; on sites over 200,000 sq ft, 350 ft is allowed by special permit.
- A front yard is required on every frontage: on Mamaroneck Avenue or East Post Road, 5 ft up to 90 ft of height and 25 ft above; on other streets, 5 ft up to 45 ft and 15 ft above (§ 5.5.3.1).
- Gross floor area not developed or required on a lot or designated development site may be transferred to a non-contiguous designated development site by special permit (footnote (cc)).
- In the Central Parking Area, building parts above 50 ft may cover no more than 60% of the overall site in aggregate, except as § 5.5.3 provides or the Common Council allows by special permit.
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
Core Business-4 - On sites or lots over 50,000 sq ft where 50 percent or more of the floor area ratio is residential, a table by site size replaces the height and coverage, allowing 280 ft on sites of 100,000 sq ft or more (§ 5.5.3.2).
- The same table allows 350 ft by special permit on sites over 200,000 sq ft, and 351 to 400 ft by special permit on sites over 300,000 sq ft lying all or partly in CB-4, for residential use only.
- Coverage under that table is 85% up to 90 ft and falls to 20% at the top.
- On a development site over 50,000 sq ft fronting at least two streets, with 50 percent or more of the total floor area ratio residential, the ratio may be increased to 5.5 (footnote (p)).
- Gross floor area not developed or required on a lot or designated development site may be transferred to a non-contiguous designated development site by special permit (footnote (cc)).
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
- Accessory structures may be up to 72 ft high, and none may stand in a side yard (footnote (g)).
Office-Residential - For an assisted living facility, lot area per dwelling unit is 600 sq ft (footnote (dd)), and the yards and height in stories and feet are as the site plan approving agency requires (§ 5.4.4.3).
- Multi-family buildings on one lot must be at least 20 ft apart and no closer than the height of the taller building (§ 5.4.4.1).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 15 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
- Yard requirements apply only to buildings and structures above ground (footnote (a)).
Urban Renewal Central Business-4 - On sites or lots over 50,000 sq ft where 50 percent or more of the floor area ratio is residential, a table by site size replaces the height and coverage, allowing 280 ft on sites of 100,000 sq ft or more (§ 5.5.3.2).
- The same table allows 350 ft by special permit on sites over 200,000 sq ft; its coverage is 85% up to 90 ft and falls to 20% at the top.
- On a development site over 50,000 sq ft fronting at least two streets, with 50 percent or more of the total floor area ratio residential, the ratio may be increased to 5.5 (footnote (p)).
- Gross floor area not developed or required on a lot or designated development site may be transferred to a non-contiguous designated development site by special permit (footnote (cc)).
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot and are permitted only as accessory to multi-family dwellings and parking garages (footnote (e)).
- Accessory structures may be up to 72 ft high, and none may stand in a side yard (footnote (g)).
Light Industrial - New residential development is excluded from the district (§ 5.5.1.11).
- For a mini-storage facility, coverage and floor area ratio are subject to § 4.4.28 (footnote (q)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 25 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Planned Senior Residential Development - At least 75% of the 700 ft frontage must be on a State or County road, which must also be the sole access other than for emergency vehicles (§ 5.8.7.1). All dimensional requirements apply to the entire district, not to individual areas within it (§ 5.8.3).
- Within the 0.70 floor area ratio for all uses, independent living may not exceed 0.45, assisted living and domiciliary care 0.15, accessory uses 0.05 and non-residential uses 0.10 (§ 5.8.5).
- The district is sized on at most 329 independent living units, and assisted living and domiciliary care beds may not exceed 45% of them (§ 5.8.5.2, § 5.8.5.7).
- The 75 ft side yard is for residential uses; non-residential uses need 100 ft (§ 5.8.7.3, § 5.8.7.4).
- Accessory buildings and structures may be no more than 2 stories and 35 ft high (§ 5.8.6).
- The approving agency may allow accessory parking garages within 45 ft of a property line with adequate screening (§ 5.8.7.2).
- Other dimensions are set by the approving agency at site plan approval (§ 5.8.7.7).
Light-Industrial-Mixed Use - Multi-family dwellings, hotels and extended stay hotels are special permit uses; on properties between Westmoreland Avenue and the Metro-North Railroad they may be 6 stories and 85 ft (§ 4.4.15.9, footnote (s)).
- The 2.00 floor area ratio caps non-residential floor area; residential and combined floor area may reach a ratio of 3.00.
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 25 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Light-Industrial-Mixed Use 2 - A multi-family dwelling may be 6 stories and 70 ft where at least 15% of the lot area or development site is at-grade publicly accessible open space (§ 4.4.15.10, footnote (kk)).
- Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the lot.
- An accessory structure may be up to 25 ft high and must stand at least 10 ft from any structure it is not attached to.
Transit Development-1 - Building coverage may be 100% where at least 15% of the lot area is exterior open space publicly accessible from the street at no more than 15 ft above grade (footnote (ll)). A building adjacent to a State or County road and within 225 ft of it may reach 280 ft (footnote (mm)).
- Portions of buildings above 150 ft may cover no more than 40% of the lot area (§ 5.10.1.1.1).
- Any portion above 150 ft may have a street wall no longer than 225 ft and must be 60 ft from any other building portion above 150 ft (§ 5.10.1.1.3).
- No dwelling units may be at street level (§ 5.10.1.1.5).
- On a development site over 50,000 sq ft fronting at least two streets, with 50 percent or more of the total floor area ratio residential, the ratio may be increased to 5.5 (footnote (p)).
- Gross floor area not developed or required on a lot or designated development site may be transferred to a non-contiguous designated development site by special permit (footnote (cc)).
- The district is mapped by the Common Council on an application that includes a Conceptual Development Plan (§ 5.10.1).
Transit Development-2 - In the Central Parking Area, a lot or development site must be greater than 400,000 sq ft; a smaller one is subject to the B-6 bulk and dimensional regulations (§ 5.13.1.1.1). Density bonuses can raise the base floor area ratio of 5.0 to 7.5 (§ 5.13.1.1.2, § 5.13.1.2).
- The Common Council grants those bonuses for added affordable units, enhanced open space and other public benefits.
- Height may be 450 ft for buildings within 1,600 ft of the east side of the Metro-North Railroad Station platform where it crosses Main Street (§ 5.13.1.1.4).
- Building portions above 150 ft must be 50 ft from any other building portion above 150 ft (§ 5.13.1.1.7).
- Usable open space must be at least 40% of the development site, including a City Green of at least 30,000 sq ft fronting Main Street and Court Street (§ 5.13.1.1.5, § 5.13.1.1.6).
- Dimensional regulations apply to the entire designated development site, not to individual areas within it, even where the site is subdivided or in divided ownership (footnote (h)).
- The district is mapped by the Common Council on an application that includes a Conceptual Development Plan (§ 5.13.1).
Planned Residential Development - Height depends on distance from a lot line fronting a State or County road: 35 ft at 100 ft, 50 ft at 350 ft and 85 ft at 700 ft (§ 5.11.4.9). The frontage must be at least 500 continuous ft on a State or County road (§ 5.11.4.5).
- All dimensional requirements, including the lot area and the limit of one dwelling unit per 2,000 sq ft of land, apply to the whole district as a single development site (§ 5.11.2).
- The side yard is at least 20 ft plus 1 ft for every 2 ft of height above 35 ft of the adjacent building (§ 5.11.4.7).
- Building coverage and the floor area ratio are both measured over the entire development site (§ 5.11.4.1, § 5.11.4.2).
- Principal uses are one- and two-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, independent living, assisted living and domiciliary care facilities and places of worship (§ 5.11.3).
- Independent retail, restaurant or other commercial uses are not permitted.
- Other dimensions are set by the approving agency at site plan approval (§ 5.11.4.10).
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in White Plains
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of White Plains. The City of White Plains has no local short-term rental law, and that is not the same as permission: zoning prohibits any use it does not list, and no residential district lists transient lodging. Confirm with the Department of Building 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. Municipal source
Good to know
- Residential lot minimum0.11–20 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCon Edison territory.
- Zoning codewww.cityofwhiteplains.com/120/White-Plains-Zoning-Ordinance
- Building dept(914) 422-1269
ADU FAQ — White Plains, NY
Are ADUs allowed in White Plains, NY?
City of White Plains has 35 districts. 25 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. 6 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (914) 422-1269. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in White Plains?
No district in City of White Plains requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 25 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 White Plains?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of White Plains. 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 White Plains
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 White Plains, priced by size.
How we know this
- Districts confirmed
- 29 of 35 — 6 not yet analyzed, so this page does not answer for them.
- 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 White Plains: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · ADU rules across Westchester County · All Westchester County towns
ADU information for City of White Plains is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-09-21) 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) 422-1269 before relying on any answer. Source: the Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset.