ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Middletown, NY?
City of Middletown has 19 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Middletown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Family Residential District | 0.1722 ac | 30 / 5 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Two-Family Residential District | 0.1722 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Two-Family Owner-Occupied Residential District | 0.1722 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple-Residence High-Density District | 0.1722 ac | 30 / 5 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple-Residence Parkland District | 0.1722 ac | 30 / 5 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple-Residence Low-Density District | 0.3444 ac | 30 / 20 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| High-Rise Multiple-Residence District | 1.3774 ac | 40 / 25 / 30 ft | 120 ft | No |
| Multiple-Residence Low-Density Conservation District | 1 ac | 50 / 25 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Multiple-Residence Low-Density with Bonus Density District | 0.3444 ac | 30 / 20 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Neighborhood Business District | 0.1722 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | — | No |
| Limited Neighborhood Business District | 0.1722 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | — | No |
| Limited Business District | 0.1722 ac | 25 / 5 / 20 ft | — | No |
| General Business District | 0.1722 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 90 ft | No |
| Downtown Mixed-Use District | 0.1722 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 90 ft | No |
| Limited General Business District | 0.1722 ac | 0 / 0 / 0 ft | 90 ft | No |
| Light Industrial District | 0.3444 ac | 20 / - / 10 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Light Industrial/General Business District | 0.1722 ac | 20 / - / 10 ft | 90 ft | No |
| Heavy Industrial District | 0.3444 ac | 20 / - / 10 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Heavy Industrial Restricted District | 0.3444 ac | 20 / - / 10 ft | 35 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Middletown
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for City of Middletown. Rentals under 30 days require a short-term rental permit (Zoning Code Ch. 475 §475-35.1, §475-21.1F(24)); STR permits subject to Ch. 296 Art. III. 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 minimum0.1722–1.3774 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 346-4100
- Last reviewed2026-08-26
ADU FAQ — Middletown, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Middletown, NY?
City of Middletown has 19 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 346-4100.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Middletown?
No. No district in City of Middletown permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (845) 346-4100 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Middletown?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for City of Middletown. 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 Middletown
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 Middletown, priced by size.
More on Middletown: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Orange County towns
ADU information for City of Middletown is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-26) 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) 346-4100 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.