Sullivan County
Town of Bethel, NY: zoning for new construction
Thinking about building in the Town of Bethel? Here is what the zoning actually says, pulled straight from the town code. Town of Bethel runs 12 zoning districts, with residential minimum lot sizes ranging from 0.5 to 5 acres depending on the district. Short-term rentals - see local ordinance here. Use the district figures below to size up a parcel before you buy, then confirm the specifics with the building department.
Zoning districts
| District | Min lot | Setbacks F / S / R | Max height | ADU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Development District | 5 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Agricultural District | 3 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Agricultural-Rural District | 3 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Commercial Route 17B District | 1 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Commercial Service District | 0.5 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Forest Conservation District | 5 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Gateway Route 17B District | 2 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Hamlet Route 17B District | 0.5 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Planned Area District | 0.5 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Residential Route 17B District | 3 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Rural Development District | 2 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
| Rural Development-Rural District | 2 ac | — | 35 ft | As of right |
Short-term rentals
Short-term rentals - see local ordinance. Town drafted an STR local law in 2023 and held a public hearing in April 2023; no confirmed adoption vote found as of Jun 2026. Contact Town Hall to confirm current status.
Good to know
- UtilityNYSEG territory.
- Building dept(845) 583-4350
- Last reviewed2026-06-02
Sizing up a specific parcel in Bethel?
Aldo pulls the exact zoning district, setbacks, and build feasibility for any parcel - before you buy. Run a free zoning report.
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Zoning figures for Town of Bethel are compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-06-02) and provided for decision-support only - not legal, engineering, or architectural advice. Setback and dimensional standards often carry conditions and exceptions; verify with the building department at (845) 583-4350 before relying on any number. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.