ADU · Greene County
Can you build an ADU in Lexington, NY?
Town of Lexington has 3 districts. 2 districts allow ADUs with a special-use permit, 1 does not. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Lexington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet District | 0.69 ac | 45 / 25 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Rural Residential District | 3 ac | 75 / 30 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Conservation District | 10 ac | 75 / 45 / 100 ft | 35 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Lexington
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Lexington. LEXINGTON'S CAP IS ON NON-RESIDENT OWNERS ONLY, AND IT IS FULL. As published on the Town's own Short Term Rental hub and checked 2026-08-27: maximum number of 'Non-Resident' permits 62; currently issued 62; AVAILABLE 0; approximately 5 applicants on the waiting list. 'There is no cap on the number of Resident Permits issued and no waiting list for residents.' An out-of-town buyer therefore cannot obtain a Lexington STR permit today at any price and joins a queue; an owner who lives in the Town can. THE LAW. The original STR law dates from 2021 and was amended by LOCAL LAW No. 4 of 2023, 'Amending the Establishment of Regulations Regarding Short Term Rentals', effective immediately on filing; both texts are published on the Town's STR hub. THE OPERATING TERMS. Every STR needs a permit from the CEO, who inspects within 30 days of a complete application. A potable-water test meeting Subpart 5-1 of the NYS Sanitary Code is required, retested every three years with an affidavit; a failed test forces quarterly testing for a year and bottled water for guests meanwhile. Occupancy is set by the CEO from the bedroom count and IS CAPPED AT FIFTEEN SLEEPING PERSONS — more than that and the property is treated as a hotel/motel. ALL PARKING MUST BE ON THE PARCEL; road parking by guests revokes the permit until remedied. An emergency number must be posted and ALL EMERGENCY CALLS ANSWERED WITHIN SIXTY MINUTES. Liability insurance is recommended, not required. The permit runs one year with renewal fee and CEO inspection; permits are per tax parcel, and each unit on a parcel needs its own. An UNHOSTED property must have a Local Property Manager living in the Town or within 30 miles. Fire safety follows the National Fire Safety Code with annual extinguisher certification; the 911 number goes at the curb in four-inch numerals; five or more bedrooms need exit placards inside every bedroom door; a prescribed guest notice plus the Winter No Parking, ATV and Fair Housing laws must be displayed. VIOLATIONS: 30 days to cure, warning, then $500, $1,000, $1,500 — and three violations in a calendar year revokes the permit. Appeals go to a Review and Appeals Board of a Town Council member, a Planning Board member, one non-STR resident and two resident STR owners. SEPARATELY, GREENE COUNTY OPERATES A FREE SHORT-TERM-RENTAL REGISTRATION through its Customer Portal, and New York State now collects sales tax on short-term rental transactions (str@greenecountyny.gov, (518) 943-3223). Re-check the live permit counts on the Town's STR hub before underwriting — they move. Contact strclerk@lexingtonny.com or (518) 989-1196. 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. Municipal source
Good to know
- Residential lot minimum0.69–3 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCentral Hudson territory.
- Building dept(518) 989-6476
- Last reviewed2026-08-16
ADU FAQ — Lexington, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Lexington, NY?
Town of Lexington has 3 districts. 2 districts allow ADUs with a special-use permit, 1 does not. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 989-6476.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Lexington?
It depends on the district: 2 of 3 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 Lexington?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Lexington. 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 Lexington
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 Lexington, priced by size.
More on Lexington: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Greene County towns
ADU information for Town of Lexington 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) 989-6476 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.