ADU · Rensselaer County
Can you build an ADU in Nassau, NY?
Village of Nassau has 5 districts. 3 districts prohibit ADUs, 1 requires a special-use permit. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 766-3044. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Nassau 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very-Low-Density Residential District | 1 ac | 50 / 17 / 50 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single-Family Residential District | 0.5 ac | 25 / 10 / 25 ft | 35 ft | No |
| Single- and Multifamily Residential District | 0.5 ac | 25 / 10 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| General Business District | 0.5 ac | 10 / 5 / 30 ft | 40 ft | No |
| Land Conservation Overlay District | 1 ac | 80 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | — |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Nassau
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Nassau. No local short-term-rental law found for Village of Nassau 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) 766-3044 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 minimum0.5–1 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityNational Grid territory.
- Building dept(518) 766-3044
- Last reviewed2026-08-05
ADU FAQ — Nassau, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Nassau, NY?
Village of Nassau has 5 districts. 3 districts prohibit ADUs, 1 requires a special-use permit. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (518) 766-3044. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Nassau?
It depends on the district: 1 of 5 require a special-use permit, the rest do not. Check the district that applies to your parcel before you design.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Nassau?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for Village of Nassau. 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 Nassau
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 Nassau, priced by size.
More on Nassau: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Rensselaer County towns
ADU information for Village of Nassau 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) 766-3044 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.