ADU · Monroe County
Can you build an ADU in Gates, NY?
Town of Gates has 5 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Gates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Residence (R-1-15) | 0.3444 ac | 35 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single-Family Residence (R-1-11) | 0.2525 ac | 35 / 8 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single-Family Residence (R-1-8) | 0.1837 ac | 35 / 7 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple Residence District (MR) — floating district, rezoning required | 5 ac | 35 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Townhouse Residence District (TH) — floating district, 10-acre minimum tract | 10 ac | 35 / 40 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Gates
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Gates. Short-term rentals are PERMITTED BUT PERMIT-GATED under Ch. 148 Rental Properties, adopted 8-1-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022 — a dedicated rental-licensing law separate from the zoning chapter, which is why a search of Ch. 190 alone finds nothing. § 148-7 makes it unlawful to let, lease, rent or permit occupancy of a short-term rental property without first obtaining a short-term rental property permit, and the chapter layers on inspections (§ 148-5) and certificates of compliance (§ 148-6). The definition is unusually BROAD: a short-term rental property is one where a dwelling unit is occupied by someone other than the owner for a period of LESS THAN THREE MONTHS, and it expressly sweeps in vacation rental homes and bed-and-breakfast establishments. A three-month threshold is far longer than the 30-day line most towns draw, so ordinary month-to-month tenancies fall inside this permit regime in Gates. New York State's 2025 STR registry (Ch. 99 of the Laws of 2025) separately requires every host statewide to register. Confirm current permit fees and inspection scheduling with the building department at (585) 429-8242. 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 minimum0.1837–10 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityRG&E territory.
- Building dept(585) 429-8242
- Last reviewed2026-08-11
ADU FAQ — Gates, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Gates, NY?
Town of Gates has 5 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (585) 429-8242.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Gates?
No. No district in Town of Gates permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (585) 429-8242 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Gates?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Gates. 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 Gates
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 Gates, priced by size.
More on Gates: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Monroe County towns
ADU information for Town of Gates is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-11) 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 (585) 429-8242 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.