ADU · Ulster County
Can you build an ADU in Rochester, NY?
Town of Rochester has 10 districts. 7 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (845) 626-7561. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Rochester 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-3 Local Agricultural | 3 ac | 35 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| AB-3 Agricultural Business | 3 ac | 35 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-1 Neighborhood Residential | 1 ac | 10 / 25 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-2 Low Density Residential | 2 ac | 35 / 40 / 40 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| R-5 Rural Conservation | 5 ac | 50 / 50 / 50 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| H Hamlet | 1 ac | 10 / 10 / 15 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| I Industrial | 1.5 ac | 75 / 35 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| NR Natural Resources | 1.5 ac | 35 / 35 / 35 ft | 35 ft | No |
| B Business | 1 ac | 35 / 25 / 25 ft | 35 ft | Occupancy restricted |
| PL-10 Preserved Land | 10 ac | 75 / 75 / 75 ft | 35 ft | — |
A-3 Local Agricultural — Recorded under the key AR3, which is the district's PRE-2024 name; § 140-5 of the current code calls it A-3 Local Agricultural. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
AB-3 Agricultural Business — DENSITY BONUS: § 140-10(B)(3) makes this district eligible for 1.5x the standard lot density — 3.0 acres would become 2.0 acres per unit — but only for green-energy, energy-conservation or passive-house development, or for affordable housing where at least one unit or 25% of units are deed-restricted in perpetuity, and only on Planning Board certification. The qualifying condition is the kind of development, which is not a condition axis, so no figure is recorded for it. LOT AREA FOR MIXED USE: in AB-3, R-1, H and B, where permitted uses including a residential use share one STRUCTURE, the required lot area is the LARGER of the two; in SEPARATE structures it is the SUM of both (§ 140-10(B)(2)). See also Article V for further per-use lot area exceptions. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
R-1 Neighborhood Residential, H Hamlet, B Business — DENSITY BONUS: § 140-10(B)(3) makes this district eligible for 1.5x the standard lot density — 1.0 acre would become 0.67 acre per unit — but only for green-energy, energy-conservation or passive-house development, or for affordable housing where at least one unit or 25% of units are deed-restricted in perpetuity, and only on Planning Board certification. The qualifying condition is the kind of development, which is not a condition axis, so no figure is recorded for it. LOT AREA FOR MIXED USE: in AB-3, R-1, H and B, where permitted uses including a residential use share one STRUCTURE, the required lot area is the LARGER of the two; in SEPARATE structures it is the SUM of both (§ 140-10(B)(2)). See also Article V for further per-use lot area exceptions. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
R-2 Low Density Residential — R-2 publishes one lot area for residential and non-residential use alike, and does not change with central sewer and water. No variants, correctly. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
R-5 Rural Conservation, NR Natural Resources — Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
I Industrial — Recorded under the key IND; § 140-5 of the current code calls this district I. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
PL-10 Preserved Land — CS Community Services is the eleventh district in § 140-5 and Appendix B prints N/A for every one of its standards, so it has no record here — there is nothing to hold. Appendix B also publishes a minimum LOT FRONTAGE and a maximum number of STORIES, neither of which has a field. Performance standards under § 140-20 may apply.
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Rochester
Short-term rentals allowed with registration for Town of Rochester. STR permit required. Cap on new non-owner-occupied permits — availability limited. A local host (within 30 minutes) is required for non-owner-occupied STRs. No cap on owner-occupied permits. Contact Town of Rochester at (845) 626-7561 to confirm permit availability. 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. Municipal source
Good to know
- Residential lot minimum1–5 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- Energy codeNew York stretch energy code adopted (Local Law No. 3 of 2023) — applies to new ADU construction.
- UtilityCentral Hudson territory.
- Zoning codeecode360.com/RO1435
- Building dept(845) 626-7561
- Last reviewed2026-08-16
ADU FAQ — Rochester, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Rochester, NY?
Town of Rochester has 10 districts. 7 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. 1 district has incomplete data - verify with the building department at (845) 626-7561. Check your address with the free ADU checker.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Rochester?
No district in Town of Rochester requires a special-use permit for an ADU - 7 districts allow ADUs with occupancy restrictions, 2 do not. Site-plan review or a building permit may still apply.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Rochester?
Short-term rentals allowed with registration for Town of Rochester. 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 Rochester
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $200k–265k 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 Rochester, priced by size.
More on Rochester: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Ulster County towns
ADU information for Town of Rochester is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-08-16) 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 (845) 626-7561 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.