ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Chester, NY?
Town of Chester has 12 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Chester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Residential (3 Acre) | 3 ac | 100 / 40 / 100 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Suburban Residential 1 (1 Acre) | 1 ac | 60 / 30 / 60 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Suburban Residential 2 (1 Acre) | 1 ac | 60 / 30 / 60 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Suburban Residential 6 | 1 ac | 60 / 30 / 60 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Local Business | 2 ac | 80 / 30 / 30 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Local Business — Senior Living | 0.5 ac | 25 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| General Commercial | 1 ac | 75 / 20 / 50 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Research/Office | 0.75 ac | 35 / 20 / 40 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Office Park | 2 ac | 60 / 20 / 50 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Industrial Park | 2 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Agricultural/Industrial | 2 ac | 100 / 50 / 50 ft | 60 ft | No |
| Industrial | 3 ac | 100 / 75 / 100 ft | 45 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Chester
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Chester. Short-term rentals regulated under Local Law No. 4 of 2023, effective August 1, 2023. Permit 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 minimum1–3 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 469-7000
- Last reviewed2026-07-08
ADU FAQ — Chester, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Chester, NY?
Town of Chester has 12 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 469-7000.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Chester?
No. No district in Town of Chester permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (845) 469-7000 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Chester?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Chester. 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 Chester
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $205k–270k 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 Chester, priced by size.
More on Chester: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Orange County towns
ADU information for Town of Chester is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-07-08) 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 (845) 469-7000 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.