ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Tonawanda, NY?
City of Tonawanda has 3 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Tonawanda 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 Residence District | 0.172 ac | 25 / 5 / 25 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-2 General Residence District | 0.092 ac | 25 / 5 / 25 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-C Residential-Restricted Business District | 0.138 ac | 25 / 5 / 25 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Tonawanda
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of Tonawanda. No local short-term-rental law found as of 2026-08-26. The City Code is on Municode and all 23 chapters were enumerated: there is no rental, lodging, tourist-home, transient-occupancy or short-term-rental chapter. Note the TOWN of Tonawanda is a separate jurisdiction and DOES regulate short-term rentals by name under § 215-24.7, so do not read one for the other. Absence of a found STR law is not permission. 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 Tonawanda at (716) 695-1806 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 minimum0.092–0.172 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 695-1806
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Tonawanda, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Tonawanda, NY?
City of Tonawanda has 3 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (716) 695-1806.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Tonawanda?
No district in City of Tonawanda requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 3 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 Tonawanda?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of Tonawanda. 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 Tonawanda
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 Tonawanda, priced by size.
More on Tonawanda: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for City of Tonawanda 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) 695-1806 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.