ADU · Westchester County
Can you build an ADU in Yonkers, NY?
City of Yonkers has 26 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address to confirm the district that applies to your parcel:
What the Yonkers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planned Urban Redevelopment | 2 ac | — | — | No |
| Planned Urban Redevelopment | 2 ac | — | — | No |
| Detached 1 Family Dwelling | 0.4591 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Detached 1 Family Dwelling | 0.2296 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Detached 1 Family Dwelling | 0.1377 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Detached 1 Family Dwelling | 0.1722 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Detached 1 Family Dwelling | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Apartment Houses, Low Density | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| 2 Family Dwellings | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Elevator Apartment, High Density | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Apartment Houses, Medium Densi | 0.1148 ac | — | 65 ft | No |
| Planned Industrial, Residences | 4.0174 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Planned Executive Park (Floating Zone) | 30 ac | — | 105 ft | No |
| Planned Industrial, Residences | 4.0174 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Neighborhood Business & Apt.'s | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| General Business and Apt. Housing | 0.1148 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Restricted Business, Residence | 0.2296 ac | — | 48 ft | No |
| Central Business District | — | — | 50 ft | No |
| Downtown Waterfront District | — | — | 66 ft | No |
| Office Buildings and Research | 0.1722 ac | — | 45 ft | No |
| Wholesale Business and Storage | — | — | — | No |
| Commercial, Storage, Light Manufacturing | 0.2296 ac | — | 35 ft | No |
| Industry, Residences Excluded | — | — | — | No |
| Colleges, Univ.'s and Theological Seminaries | 0.3444 ac | — | 39 ft | No |
| Government Center District | — | — | 100 ft | No |
| Planned Multi-Use District | — | — | — | No |
ADUs vs. short-term rentals in Yonkers
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of Yonkers. No dedicated local STR ordinance found as of Jun 2026; Yonkers relies on existing housing and zoning codes. State law (S.885C/A.4130C, effective Mar 2025) requires platform-level tax collection. 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 minimum0.1148–0.4591 ac — an ADU still has to fit the district's lot and setback envelope.
- UtilityCon Edison territory.
- Building dept(914) 377-6500
- Last reviewed2026-06-08
ADU FAQ — Yonkers, NY
Are ADUs allowed in Yonkers, NY?
City of Yonkers has 26 districts. All districts prohibit ADUs. Check your address with the free ADU checker, or confirm with the building department at (914) 377-6500.
Do I need a special permit for an ADU in Yonkers?
No. No district in City of Yonkers permits an ADU, so there is no permit to apply for. Codes change, so verify with the building department at (914) 377-6500 before ruling it out.
Can I use an ADU as a short-term rental in Yonkers?
No local short-term-rental law on record - which is not the same as permission for City of Yonkers. 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 Yonkers
Permission is one question and budget is another. An 800 sq ft accessory unit here runs roughly $235k–310k 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 Yonkers, priced by size.
More on Yonkers: Full zoning for new construction · ADU build cost · House build cost · All Westchester County towns
ADU information for City of Yonkers is compiled from the municipal code (last reviewed 2026-06-08) 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 (914) 377-6500 before relying on any answer. Source: Offsite / Aldo zoning dataset, municipalData.js.