ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Berne, NY?
Town of Berne has 6 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Berne 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Density Residential | 1.5 ac | 40 / 50 / 100 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Neighborhood Commercial | 1.5 ac | 40 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Reforestation Area | — | — | — | No |
| Residential/Agricultural/Forestry | 5 ac | 70 / 100 / 100 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Traditional Neighborhood/Mixed Use 1 | 0.25 ac | 15 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Traditional Neighborhood/Mixed Use 2 | 0.25 ac | 15 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Berne
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Berne. No local STR ordinance found as of Jun 2026. Rural Helderberg Hilltown. 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 minimum1.5–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 872-1448
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Berne, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Berne, NY?
Town of Berne has 6 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 872-1448.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Berne?
No. No district in Town of Berne permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (518) 872-1448 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Berne?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Berne. 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 Berne
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 Berne, priced by size.
More on Berne: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for Town of Berne 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) 872-1448 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.