ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Altamont, NY?
Village of Altamont has 12 districts. 9 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 861-8554. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Altamont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 0.23 ac | 15 / 20 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Central Business District | — | 0 / 0 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Light Industrial | 0.23 ac | 40 / 12.5 / 20 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Park | — | — | — | No |
| Planned Unit Development | — | — | — | — |
| Residential One Family - 10,000 Sq. | 0.23 ac | 20 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Multi-Family - 10,000 Sq. | 0.23 ac | 20 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential One Family - 15,000 Sq. | 0.344 ac | 20 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family - 20,000 Sq. | 0.459 ac | 25 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential One Family - 40,000 Sq. | 0.918 ac | 35 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Conservation District | 0.918 ac | 35 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Senior Citizen | 0.23 ac | 20 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Altamont
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Altamont. No local STR ordinance found as of Jun 2026. Hosts are subject to the 2025 NYS statewide STR registry law only. 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 minimum0.23–0.918 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 861-8554
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Altamont, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Altamont, NY?
Village of Altamont has 12 districts. 9 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 861-8554. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Altamont?
No district in Village of Altamont requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 9 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Altamont?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Altamont. 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 Altamont
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $195k–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 Altamont, priced by size.
More on Altamont: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for Village of Altamont is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-07-08) 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 (518) 861-8554 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.