ADU · Rensselaer County
Can you build an ADU in East Greenbush, NY?
Town of East Greenbush has 14 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the East Greenbush 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture-Residential District | 5 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential-Open Space District | 2 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential-Buffer District | 1.5 ac | 40 / 25 / 30 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District | 0.287 ac | 35 / 10 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District | 0.207 ac | 35 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District | 0.172 ac | 25 / 8 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District | 0.23 ac | 25 / 25 / 25 ft | 40 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Personal/Professional District | 1 ac | 25 / 12 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| General Business Mixed Use District | 0.5 ac | 0 / 12 / 12 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| General Business District | 0.5 ac | 25 / 12 / 12 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Corporate Office Only District | 5 ac | 25 / 12 / 25 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Corporate Office/Regional Commercial District | 5 ac | 25 / 12 / 25 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Corporate Office/Light Industrial District | 3 ac | 35 / 12 / 25 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Coastal Industrial District | 10 ac | 50 / 25 / 25 ft | 50 ft | Occupancy restricted |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in East Greenbush
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of East Greenbush. No local short-term-rental law found for Town of East Greenbush as of 2026-08-05; absence of a found law is not permission. Separately, New York State's 2025 STR registry (Ch. 99 of the Laws of 2025) requires every host statewide to register the unit through the Rensselaer County registry regardless of what the municipality allows. Confirm with the building department at (518) 477-6225 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 minimum0.172–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 477-6225
- Last reviewed2026-08-05
ADU FAQ — East Greenbush, NY
Are ADUs allowed in East Greenbush, NY?
Town of East Greenbush has 14 districts. All districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 477-6225.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in East Greenbush?
No district in Town of East Greenbush requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 14 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in East Greenbush?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of East Greenbush. 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 East Greenbush
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $195k–255k 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 East Greenbush, priced by size.
More on East Greenbush: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Rensselaer County towns
ADU information for Town of East Greenbush is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-05) 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 (518) 477-6225 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.