ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Elma, NY?
Town of Elma has 3 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Elma 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential A Zone | 0.861 ac | 50 / 20 / 10 ft | — | No |
| Residential B Zone | 0.803 ac | 50 / 20 / 10 ft | — | No |
| Residential C and Agricultural Zone | 0.735 ac | 50 / 20 / 10 ft | — | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Elma
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Elma. No local short-term-rental law found for Town of Elma as of 2026-08-06; absence of a found law is not permission. New York State's 2025 STR registry (Ch. 99 of the Laws of 2025) separately requires every host statewide to register through the Erie County registry. Confirm with the town at (716) 652-3260 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 minimum0.735–0.861 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 652-3260
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Elma, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Elma, NY?
Town of Elma has 3 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 652-3260.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Elma?
No. No district in Town of Elma permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (716) 652-3260 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Elma?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Elma. 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 Elma
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 Elma, priced by size.
More on Elma: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Town of Elma 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) 652-3260 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.