ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Chester, NY?
Village of Chester has 9 districts. 5 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential-Agricultural | 0.918 ac | 100 / 50 / 50 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Single-Family | 0.287 ac | 30 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Mobile Home | 0.287 ac | 30 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential Multifamily | 0.287 ac | 30 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Central Business | 0.287 ac | 30 / 15 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| General Business | 0.344 ac | 50 / 15 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Manufacturing/Industrial | 3 ac | 100 / 40 / 60 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Warehouse/Light Industrial | 1 ac | 50 / 30 / 30 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Highway Interchange Overlay | 3 ac | — | 40 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Chester
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Village of Chester. Village Chapter 98 prohibits short-term rentals of fewer than 29 nights unless operated as a licensed hotel or bed-and-breakfast (distinct from Town of Chester Local Law 1-2022). 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 minimum0.287–0.918 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 469-2388
- Last reviewed2026-07-12
ADU FAQ — Chester, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Chester, NY?
Village of Chester has 9 districts. 5 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 469-2388.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Chester?
No district in Village of Chester requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 5 districts prohibit ADUs, 4 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Chester?
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules for Village 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 Village of Chester is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-07-12) 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) 469-2388 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.