ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Goshen, NY?
Town of Goshen has 5 districts. 3 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 1 does not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (845) 294-6430. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Goshen 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-Industrial | 1.84 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | — | — |
| Highway Commercial | 1 ac | 25 / 30 / 50 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Commercial | 1 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Industrial | 5 ac | 100 / 50 / 75 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Hamlet Residential | 0.18 ac | — | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Goshen
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Goshen. Short-term rentals are regulated in the Town of Goshen's zoning code. § 97-84 defines SHORT-TERM RENTAL, § 97-10 governs allowable uses by district and prohibited uses, and § 97-67I creates a presumption that a dwelling unit is short-term rental property for enforcement purposes — an enforcement mechanism that only exists where the use is regulated. This resolves Introductory Local Law No. 13 of 2024, which had proposed STR registration and whose enactment was previously unconfirmed. Note the Village of Goshen is a separate jurisdiction with its own code. New York State's 2025 short-term rental registry (Ch. 99 of the Laws of 2025) separately requires every host statewide to register the unit regardless of local law. Confirm with Town of Goshen at (845) 294-6430 before listing. 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 minimum0.18 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 294-6430
- Last reviewed2026-06-16
ADU FAQ — Goshen, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Goshen, NY?
Town of Goshen has 5 districts. 3 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 1 does not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (845) 294-6430. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Goshen?
No district in Town of Goshen requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 3 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 1 does not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Goshen?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Goshen. 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 Goshen
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 Goshen, priced by size.
More on Goshen: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Orange County towns
ADU information for Town of Goshen is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-06-16) 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 (845) 294-6430 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.