ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Cohoes, NY?
City of Cohoes has 16 districts. 11 of 16 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. 5 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 233-2127. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Cohoes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office/Retail Commercial | 0.23 ac | 0 / 10 / 20 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Form-Based Code Boundary | — | — | — | — |
| Historic Overlay District | — | — | — | — |
| Industrial | 0.23 ac | 20 / 20 / 20 ft | 45 ft | — |
| Land Conservation | 1 ac | 75 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | — |
| Residential-Multi-Family | 0.23 ac | 5 / 10 / 20 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Mixed-Use | 0.046 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 55 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Waterfront Mixed-Use | 0.115 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Mixed Use Civic Core | — | - / 0 / 5 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Mixed Use Downtown Core | — | - / 0 / 5 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Neighborhood Core | — | — | 36 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Mixed Use Neighborhood Core | — | — | — | Occupancy restricted |
| Mixed Use Transit Cooridor | — | — | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Planned Development District | — | — | — | — |
| Residential - 1 | 0.23 ac | 30 / 12 / 20 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential - 2 | 0.172 ac | 5 / 10 / 20 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Cohoes
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for City of Cohoes. Chapter 215, Article VI requires an annual permit ($150/yr) from Code Enforcement; STR operation restricted to Mixed-Use zoning districts only. Quarterly inspections required. 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 minimum0.172–0.23 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 233-2127
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Cohoes, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Cohoes, NY?
City of Cohoes has 16 districts. 11 of 16 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. 5 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 233-2127. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Cohoes?
No district in City of Cohoes requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 11 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Cohoes?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for City of Cohoes. 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 Cohoes
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 Cohoes, priced by size.
More on Cohoes: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for City of Cohoes 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) 233-2127 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.