ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Grand Island, NY?
Town of Grand Island has 15 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Grand Island 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 Single-Family (R-1A) | 3 ac | 50 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Single-Family (R-1B) | 0.689 ac | 50 / 12 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Single-Family (R-1C) | 0.459 ac | 50 / 12 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Single-Family (R-1D) | 0.294 ac | 35 / 10 / 40 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Single-Family (R-1E) | 0.217 ac | 30 / 8 / 40 ft | 30 ft | No |
| Residential Multiple (R-2) | 5 ac | 30 / 8 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multiple (R-2A) | 5 ac | 30 / 8 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Residential Multiple (R-3) | 3 ac | 40 / 30 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Business District B1 | 0.459 ac | 65 / 25 / 30 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Business District B2 | 1 ac | 65 / 20 / 20 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Business District B3 | 0.459 ac | 65 / 25 / 30 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Commercial Recreation District | 10 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Industrial District M1 | 1.5 ac | 65 / 25 / 30 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Industrial District M2 | 1.5 ac | 75 / 25 / 30 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Mining and Extraction District | 5 ac | 100 / 100 / 100 ft | — | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Grand Island
Short-term rentals prohibited for Town of Grand Island. Short-term rentals are BANNED IN EVERY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. § 407-167.2, added 9-22-2015 by L.L. No. 9-2015, provides that transient or short-term rentals are not permitted in R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1E, R-2, R-2A or R-3 — with the sole exception of bed-and-breakfasts specifically authorized elsewhere in the chapter. A bed-and-breakfast is separately regulated under Chapter 351, Tourist Homes, Bed-And-Breakfasts and Motels (amended in its entirety 10-15-2012 by L.L. No. 3-2012). Do not underwrite STR income on a residentially zoned Grand Island parcel. 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 Grand Island at (716) 773-9600 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 minimum0.217–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 773-9600
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Grand Island, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Grand Island, NY?
Town of Grand Island has 15 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 773-9600.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Grand Island?
No. No district in Town of Grand Island permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (716) 773-9600 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Grand Island?
Short-term rentals prohibited for Town of Grand Island. 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 Grand Island
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 Grand Island, priced by size.
More on Grand Island: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Town of Grand Island 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) 773-9600 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.