Columbia County
Town of Chatham, NY: zoning for new construction
Thinking about building in the Town of Chatham? Here is what the zoning actually says, pulled straight from the town code. Town of Chatham runs 7 zoning districts, with residential minimum lot sizes ranging from 1.5 to 10 acres depending on the district. Short-term rentals - see local ordinance here. Use the district figures below to size up a parcel before you buy, then confirm the specifics with the building department.
Zoning districts
| District | Min lot | Setbacks F / S / R | Max height | ADU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet One | 1.5 ac | — | — | As of right |
| Hamlet Two | 1.5 ac | — | — | As of right |
| Rural Lands One | 10 ac | — | — | As of right |
| Rural Lands Two | 5 ac | — | — | As of right |
| Rural Lands Three | 3 ac | — | — | As of right |
| Business | 2 ac | — | — | No |
| Industrial | 2 ac | — | — | No |
Short-term rentals
Short-term rentals - see local ordinance. Local law adopted November 2023 (Local Law No. 6 of 2023) requires an annual STR permit from the Code Enforcement Officer, limits one permit per property owner, and mandates a local contact person within 20 miles. Applies to town outside Village of Chatham boundaries.
Good to know
- UtilityNYSEG territory.
- Zoning codeecode360.com/10484787
- Building dept(518) 392-1651
- Last reviewed2026-06-02
Sizing up a specific parcel in Chatham?
Aldo pulls the exact zoning district, setbacks, and build feasibility for any parcel - before you buy. Run a free zoning report.
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Zoning figures for Town of Chatham are compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-06-02) and provided for decision-support only - not legal, engineering, or architectural advice. Setback and dimensional standards often carry conditions and exceptions; verify with the building department at (518) 392-1651 before relying on any number. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.