ADU · Erie County
Can you build an ADU in Alden, NY?
Village of Alden has 3 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Alden 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-O Residential/Open Space District | 0.459 ac | 30 / 10 / 50 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District | 0.344 ac | 30 / 6 / 50 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-2 Two-Family Residential District | 0.344 ac | 30 / 6 / 50 ft | 30 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Alden
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Alden. No local short-term-rental law found as of 2026-08-26. Zoning Chapter 210 (2020) was read in full and contains no short-term-rental, transient-rental or rental-registration provision. It defines BED-AND-BREAKFAST HOMES and, separately, BOARDINGHOUSE or ROOMING HOUSE — both as the furnishing of meals and/or living accommodation — and a motel is characterised by the use of automobile transients with no cooking facilities provided. None of those reaches an unhosted whole-house rental. Note the TOWN of Alden is a separate jurisdiction with its own code. 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 Village of Alden at (716) 937-9216 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 minimum0.344–0.459 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(716) 937-9216
- Last reviewed2026-08-06
ADU FAQ — Alden, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Alden, NY?
Village of Alden 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) 937-9216.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Alden?
No district in Village of Alden 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 Alden?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Alden. 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 Alden
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 Alden, priced by size.
More on Alden: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Erie County towns
ADU information for Village of Alden 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) 937-9216 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.