ADU · Orange County
Can you build an ADU in Highland Falls, NY?
Village of Highland Falls has 8 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Highland Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Residence | 0.344 ac | 45 / 20 / 45 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single-Family Residence | 0.459 ac | 45 / 20 / 45 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single-Family Residence | 0.172 ac | 30 / 10 / 30 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single- and Two-Family Residence | 0.115 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Apartment and Multiple-Dwelling Residence | 0.115 ac | 20 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Apartment, Multiple-Dwelling and Affordable Housing | 0.115 ac | 10 / 5 / 20 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Village Business | — | 0 / 12 / 15 ft | 50 ft | No |
| Highway Commercial | 0.23 ac | 50 / 20 / 30 ft | 50 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Highland Falls
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Highland Falls. No short-term-rental-specific local law found as of Jul 2026; Ch.240 permits bed-and-breakfast inns as an owner-occupied special exception use. 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 minimum0.115–0.459 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityOrange & Rockland territory.
- Building dept(845) 446-3400
- Last reviewed2026-07-12
ADU FAQ — Highland Falls, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Highland Falls, NY?
Village of Highland Falls has 8 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (845) 446-3400.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Highland Falls?
No. No district in Village of Highland Falls permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (845) 446-3400 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Highland Falls?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Highland Falls. 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 Highland Falls
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 Highland Falls, priced by size.
More on Highland Falls: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Orange County towns
ADU information for Village of Highland Falls 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) 446-3400 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.