ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Colonie, NY?
Town of Colonie has 15 districts. 11 of 15 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. 4 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 783-2706. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Colonie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Business Area | 0.459 ac | 50 / 20 / 15 ft | 75 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Airport Noise Overlay | — | — | — | — |
| Conservation Development Overlay | — | — | — | — |
| Cemetery | — | 50 / 25 / 25 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Commercial Office | 0.459 ac | 20 / 20 / 15 ft | 75 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Commercial Office Residential | 0.459 ac | 20 / 10 / 15 ft | 75 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Highway Commercial Office Residential | 0.459 ac | 20 / 20 / 15 ft | 75 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Historic Overlay | — | — | — | — |
| Industrial | 0.459 ac | 50 / 20 / 15 ft | 75 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Land Conservation | — | — | — | Occupancy restricted |
| Multi-Family Residential | 0.459 ac | 20 / 10 / 30 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Neighborhood Commercial Office Residential | 0.138 ac | 20 / 5 / 15 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Office Residential | 0.459 ac | 20 / 10 / 15 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Planned Development District | — | — | — | — |
| Single-Family Residential | 0.413 ac | 40 / 10 / 25 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Colonie
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Colonie. Local Law No. 1-2021 (enacted Jun 24, 2021), codified in Chapter 190, requires an annual STR permit from the Building Department. Annual inspections mandatory; advertising without a permit is prohibited. 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 minimum0.413–0.459 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 783-2706
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Colonie, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Colonie, NY?
Town of Colonie has 15 districts. 11 of 15 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. 4 districts have incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 783-2706. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Colonie?
No district in Town of Colonie 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 Colonie?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Colonie. 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 Colonie
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 Colonie, priced by size.
More on Colonie: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for Town of Colonie 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) 783-2706 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.