ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Lackawanna, NY?
City of Lackawanna has 2 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Lackawanna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFR Single-Family Residential | 0.138 ac | 25 / 10 / 25 ft | 25 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| MR Mixed Residential | 0.103 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Lackawanna
Short-term rentals prohibited for City of Lackawanna. Short-term rentals are BANNED. Chapter 207, Transient or Short-Term Rentals Prohibited, was adopted 2-4-2025 by the City Council (originally adopted as Chapter 178 and renumbered). § 207-3 states the rule and § 207-4 its application. Do not underwrite short-term rental income on a Lackawanna property. 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 City of Lackawanna at (716) 827-6473 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 minimum0.103–0.138 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 827-6473
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Lackawanna, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Lackawanna, NY?
City of Lackawanna has 2 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 827-6473.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Lackawanna?
No district in City of Lackawanna requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 2 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Lackawanna?
Short-term rentals prohibited for City of Lackawanna. 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 Lackawanna
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 Lackawanna, priced by size.
More on Lackawanna: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for City of Lackawanna 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) 827-6473 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.