ADU · Rensselaer County
Can you build an ADU in Schaghticoke, NY?
Town of Schaghticoke has 9 districts. 6 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Schaghticoke 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 District | 3 ac | 50 / 30 / 35 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District | 3 ac | 50 / 30 / 35 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Residential District (R40) | 0.918 ac | 50 / 30 / 35 ft | 45 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| Highway Commercial District | 0.918 ac | 50 / 30 / 40 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Marine District | 0.918 ac | 40 / 30 / 40 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Hamlet District — Melrose | 0.689 ac | 25 / 10 / 20 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Hamlet District — Speigletown | 0.689 ac | 20 / 20 / 20 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Hamlet District — Pleasantdale | 0.459 ac | 20 / 10 / 20 ft | 45 ft | No |
| Hamlet District — Hemstreet Park | 0.459 ac | 10 / 10 / 20 ft | 45 ft | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Schaghticoke
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Schaghticoke. No local short-term-rental law found for Town of Schaghticoke 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) 753-6915 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 minimum0.459–3 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 753-6915
- Last reviewed2026-08-05
ADU FAQ — Schaghticoke, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Schaghticoke, NY?
Town of Schaghticoke has 9 districts. 6 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 allow them with occupancy restrictions. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (518) 753-6915.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Schaghticoke?
No district in Town of Schaghticoke requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 6 districts prohibit ADUs, 3 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 Schaghticoke?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Town of Schaghticoke. 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 Schaghticoke
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 Schaghticoke, priced by size.
More on Schaghticoke: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Rensselaer County towns
ADU information for Town of Schaghticoke 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) 753-6915 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.