ADU · Greene County
Can you build an ADU in Catskill, NY?
Town of Catskill has 7 districts. 5 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not, 1 requires a special-use permit. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Catskill 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/Agriculture (no public water or sewer) | 1.5 ac | 50 / 30 / 100 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Moderate Density Residential | 0.5 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| High Density Residential | 0.25 ac | 25 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| General Commercial | 0.25 ac | 15 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | As of right |
| Highway Commercial | 0.5 ac | 25 / 25 / 25 ft | — | As of right |
| Industrial | 3 ac | 200 / 100 / 40 ft | — | No |
| Conservation | 5 ac | 100 / 200 / 100 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Catskill
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Catskill. Town of Catskill enacted Local Law No. 1-2022 (Chapter 133) on April 20, 2022, requiring all STRs to obtain a permit ($500 initial fee) and pass a code enforcement inspection prior to operating; annual renewal required. 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 minimum0.25–1.5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCentral Hudson territory.
- Building dept(518) 943-2381
- Last reviewed2026-08-16
ADU FAQ — Catskill, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Catskill, NY?
Town of Catskill has 7 districts. 5 districts allow ADUs, 1 does not, 1 requires a special-use permit. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 943-2381.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Catskill?
It depends on the district: 1 of 7 require a special-use permit, the rest do not. Check the district that applies to your parcel before you design.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Catskill?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Catskill. 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 Catskill
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 Catskill, priced by size.
More on Catskill: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Greene County towns
ADU information for Town of Catskill 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) 943-2381 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.