ADU · Greene County
Can you build an ADU in Cairo, NY?
Town of Cairo has 9 districts. 7 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 622-3120. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Cairo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Residential | 2 ac | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | As of right |
| Mountain Top Residential | 2 ac | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | As of right |
| Main Street Downtown | 0.25 ac | - / 15 / 15 ft | — | As of right |
| Main Street Commercial | 0.25 ac | - / 15 / 15 ft | — | As of right |
| Hamlet Cairo | 0.25 ac | - / 15 / 15 ft | — | As of right |
| Commercial Mixed Use | 2 ac | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | As of right |
| Commercial/Industrial | 2 ac | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | As of right |
| Municipal | — | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | No |
| Adult Use District | — | - / 25 / 25 ft | — | — |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Cairo
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Cairo. No confirmed local STR ordinance found for the Town of Cairo as of Jun 2026; town has active zoning and code enforcement but no specific STR permit law was identified. Verify directly with town at (518) 622-3120. 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 minimum0.25–2 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCentral Hudson territory.
- Building dept(518) 622-3120
- Last reviewed2026-08-16
ADU FAQ — Cairo, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Cairo, NY?
Town of Cairo has 9 districts. 7 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 622-3120. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Cairo?
No district in Town of Cairo requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 7 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Cairo?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Cairo. 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 Cairo
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $195k–255k 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 Cairo, priced by size.
More on Cairo: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Greene County towns
ADU information for Town of Cairo is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-16) 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 (518) 622-3120 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.