ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Clarence, NY?
Town of Clarence has 6 districts. 3 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Clarence 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 Flood Zone District | 1.33 ac | — | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Agricultural Rural Residential District | 1.33 ac | — | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Single-Family District | 1 ac | — | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Traditional Neighborhood District | 0.344 ac | — | 40 ft | No |
| Community Facilities District | — | 80 / 25 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Restricted Business District | — | 80 / 25 / 25 ft | — | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Clarence
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Clarence. Short-term rentals are regulated under Chapter 168, Rental Property, Article I, Short-Term Residential Rentals, adopted 12-11-2019 by Local Law No. 2-2019. § 168-1 defines both a SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTAL and a SHORT-TERM RENTAL GUEST, and § 168-5 lists prohibited activities. The article sits in the rental-property chapter rather than the zoning chapter, which is why a zoning-only search does not find 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 Clarence at (716) 741-8950 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 minimum1–1.33 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 741-8950
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Clarence, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Clarence, NY?
Town of Clarence has 6 districts. 3 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 741-8950.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Clarence?
No district in Town of Clarence requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 3 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 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 Clarence?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Clarence. 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 Clarence
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $200k–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 Clarence, priced by size.
More on Clarence: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Town of Clarence is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-06) 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 (716) 741-8950 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.