ADU · Columbia County
Can you build an ADU in Livingston, NY?
Town of Livingston has 7 districts. All districts allow ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Livingston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country Home District | 2 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Hamlet Development Residential | 2 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Low Density Residential | 2 ac | 40 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Conservation District | 7 ac | 50 / 50 / 100 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Commercial | 1 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 30 ft | As of right |
| Agricultural/Light Industrial | 1 ac | 30 / 20 / 20 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Light Commercial | 1 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
Country Home District, Hamlet Development Residential, Low Density Residential, Commercial, Agricultural/Light Industrial, Light Commercial — Minimum lot width 150 ft and minimum living area 700 sq ft PER FAMILY — both published for every district and neither previously recorded. Setbacks are measured from property lines (schedule note 2). The Flood Area Overzone (FAO) is an OVERLAY under § 4.15, not a district — the schedule prints dashes for it and refers the reader there.
Conservation District — Minimum lot width 150 ft and minimum living area 700 sq ft PER FAMILY — both published for every district and neither previously recorded. CON-7 carries an ADDITIONAL 100 ft setback measured from the HUDSON RIVER SHORELINE (schedule note 3), on top of the yards above. It has no field and applies only to riverfront land. Setbacks are measured from property lines (schedule note 2). The Flood Area Overzone (FAO) is an OVERLAY under § 4.15, not a district — the schedule prints dashes for it and refers the reader there.
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Livingston
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Livingston. No local STR ordinance found as of Jun 2026. Columbia County occupancy tax applies. Town has no STR-specific permit or registration requirement. 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 minimum2 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCentral Hudson territory.
- Zoning codetownoflivingston.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Zoning_Book_2022.pdf
- Building dept(518) 851-9441
- Last reviewed2026-06-02
ADU FAQ — Livingston, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Livingston, NY?
Town of Livingston has 7 districts. All districts allow ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 851-9441.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Livingston?
No district in Town of Livingston requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 7 districts allow ADUs. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Livingston?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Livingston. 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 Livingston
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 Livingston, priced by size.
More on Livingston: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Columbia County towns
ADU information for Town of Livingston is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-06-02) 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) 851-9441 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.