ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Monroe, NY?
Town of Monroe has 11 districts. 6 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 5 do not. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Monroe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Space Residential | 3 ac | 60 / 50 / 60 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Rural Residential | 1 ac | 50 / 30 / 60 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Suburban Residential (20,000 sq ft) | 0.46 ac | 40 / 15 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Suburban Residential (15,000 sq ft) | 0.34 ac | 40 / 15 / 40 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Suburban Residential (10,000 sq ft) | 0.23 ac | 25 / 15 / 35 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Urban Residential Multiple | 5 ac | 60 / 30 / 60 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Neighborhood Business | 0.46 ac | 40 / 25 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| General Business | 0.23 ac | 60 / 8 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Light Industry | 1 ac | 40 / 30 / 40 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Heavy Industry | 1 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Business Park Overlay | 75 ac | 40 / 20 / 20 ft | 50 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Monroe
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Monroe. Short-term rentals regulated under Local Law No. 1 of 2022 (Chapter 254, Rentals, Short Term). Annual 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 minimum0.23–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 783-1900
- Last reviewed2026-06-16
ADU FAQ — Monroe, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Monroe, NY?
Town of Monroe has 11 districts. 6 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 5 do not. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 783-1900.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Monroe?
No district in Town of Monroe requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 6 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 5 do not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Monroe?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Town of Monroe. 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 Monroe
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 Monroe, priced by size.
More on Monroe: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Orange County towns
ADU information for Town of Monroe 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) 783-1900 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.