Sullivan County
Town of Highland, NY: zoning for new construction
Residential lots in the Town of Highland run from a 2-acre minimum in Residential District (2-acre) up to 3 acres in Waterfront/Lakeshore Residential District, across 4 zoning districts in all. Short-term rentals allowed with local rules. Power here is NYSEG territory. The district table below has the setbacks, height limits and coverage - confirm the specifics with the building department at (845) 557-6085 before you rely on a figure.
Looking specifically at an accessory dwelling unit? See ADU rules for Highland →
Zoning districts
| District | Min lot | Setbacks F / S / R | Max height | ADU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet Commercial District | 1 ac | 20 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Residential District (2-acre) | 2 ac | 35 / 20 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Residential District (3-acre) | 3 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
| Waterfront/Lakeshore Residential District | 3 ac | 50 / 30 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Special permit |
Short-term rentals
Short-term rentals allowed with local rules. Town of Highland passed an STR local law in 2021/2022 requiring an annual operating permit ($500/year), site plan/special use approval for non-owner-occupied rentals, a safety/egress plan, and a parking and garbage removal plan.
Good to know
- UtilityNYSEG territory.
- Building dept(845) 557-6085
- Last reviewed2026-08-16
Working out a budget? A standard-finish build here runs $195–$256/sq ft , and a conforming lot adds about $29,448 on top - see the full cost to build a house in Highland, or what an ADU costs here.
Sizing up a specific parcel in Highland?
Aldo pulls the exact zoning district, setbacks, and build feasibility for any parcel — before you buy. Enter your email to open Aldo and run your free report.
Other Sullivan County towns
All Sullivan County zoning: Bethel · Callicoon · Cochecton · Delaware · Fallsburg · Forestburgh · Fremont · Liberty · Lumberland · Mamakating · Neversink · Rockland · Thompson · Tusten · Bloomingburg (Village) · Jeffersonville (Village) · Liberty (Village) · Monticello (Village) · Woodridge (Village)
Zoning figures for Town of Highland are compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-16) 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) 557-6085 before relying on any number. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.