ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Guilderland, NY?
Town of Guilderland has 19 districts. 10 districts prohibit ADUs, 8 allow them with occupancy restrictions. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 356-1980. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Guilderland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | 2 ac | 50 / 50 / 100 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Business Non-Retail Professional | 0.17 ac | 25 / 10 / 35 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Country Hamlet | — | — | — | No |
| General Business | 0.46 ac | 25 / 15 / 15 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Industrial | 0.69 ac | 45 / 25 / 25 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Local Business | 0.46 ac | 25 / 15 / 15 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple Residence | — | 35 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Open Space | — | — | — | No |
| Planned Unit Development | — | — | — | — |
| Single-Family Residential District - 10 | 0.23 ac | 35 / 12.5 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Single-Family Residential District - 15 | 0.34 ac | 35 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Single-Family Residential District - 20 | 0.46 ac | 35 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Single-Family Residential District - 40 | 0.92 ac | 35 / 35 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Rural Agricultural District - 3 | 3 ac | 50 / 50 / 100 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Rural Agricultural District - 5 | 5 ac | 50 / 50 / 100 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Overlay District - 30 | — | — | — | No |
| Residential Overlay District - 40 | — | — | — | No |
| Townhouse Dwelling | — | 35 / 10 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Transit Oriented Development | — | — | — | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Guilderland
Short-term-rental status not confirmed for Town of Guilderland. Draft STR local law proposed in early 2024 but adoption delayed in Mar 2024 pending state action. Governor signed statewide registry law Dec 2024. No confirmed local adoption found as of Jun 2026. 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 minimum0.23–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 356-1980
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Guilderland, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Guilderland, NY?
Town of Guilderland has 19 districts. 10 districts prohibit ADUs, 8 allow them with occupancy restrictions. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 356-1980. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Guilderland?
No district in Town of Guilderland requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 10 districts prohibit ADUs, 8 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 Guilderland?
Short-term-rental status not confirmed for Town of Guilderland. 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 Guilderland
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 Guilderland, priced by size.
More on Guilderland: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for Town of Guilderland 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) 356-1980 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.