ADU · Albany County
Can you build an ADU in Westerlo, NY?
Town of Westerlo has 3 districts. 2 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Westerlo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Industrial | 5 ac | 100 / 100 / 100 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Rural Development/Agricultural | 3 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Residential Hamlet | 0.75 ac | 50 / 30 / 30 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Westerlo
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Westerlo. No local short-term-rental law found as of 2026-08-26. The Town's published Local Laws index was reviewed and lists no short-term-rental, transient-occupancy or rental-registration law — its recent local laws concern accessory dwelling units (proposed L.L. No. 1 of 2025), the planning and zoning boards, and fences. NOTE THE LIMIT OF THIS READING: the Town's website does not serve its zoning law over a connection this check could complete, so the negative rests on the local-law index rather than on a full read of the zoning text. A use-table provision would not necessarily appear in that index. Confirm with the Town before relying on it. New York State's 2025 short-term rental registry (Ch. 99 of the Laws of 2025) separately requires every host statewide to register the unit regardless of local law. Confirm with Town of Westerlo at (518) 797-3111 before listing. 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 minimum0.75–3 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 797-3111
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Westerlo, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Westerlo, NY?
Town of Westerlo has 3 districts. 2 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 797-3111.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Westerlo?
No district in Town of Westerlo requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 2 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Westerlo?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Westerlo. 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 Westerlo
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 Westerlo, priced by size.
More on Westerlo: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Albany County towns
ADU information for Town of Westerlo 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) 797-3111 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.