ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Colden, NY?
Town of Colden has 4 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Colden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District | 2.87 ac | 50 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| R-2 General Residential District | 2.87 ac | 50 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| R-RB Residence-Business District | 2.87 ac | 50 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| AG Agricultural District | 2.87 ac | 50 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Colden
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Colden. Short-term rentals are regulated under Chapter 104, Regulation of Short-Term Rentals, enacted by Local Law No. 1-2026 and ADOPTED 6-11-2026 as a zoning amendment. This is a new law — it postdates most secondary summaries of Erie County, so read the chapter itself rather than any earlier survey. 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 Colden at (716) 941-5022 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 minimum2.87 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 941-5022
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Colden, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Colden, NY?
Town of Colden has 4 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 941-5022.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Colden?
No. No district in Town of Colden permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (716) 941-5022 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Colden?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Colden. 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 Colden
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 Colden, priced by size.
More on Colden: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Town of Colden 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) 941-5022 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.