ADU rules in White Plains, NY — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
White Plains restricts accessory apartments. Two-family dwellings are permitted only in R-2 and higher-density districts; single-family R-1 zones generally do not permit ADUs without variance.
WP Zoning Ordinance limits two-family and multi-family uses to specific districts (R-2, RM-0.4, RM-1.5, etc.). In R-1A and R-1 single-family districts, a second dwelling unit typically requires a use variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. NY has no statewide ADU preemption (S5172A introduced but not passed as of 2026). Accessory apartments must meet full building code (egress, smoke/CO alarms, off-street parking).
Illegal accessory apartments: cease-and-desist, fines $250-$1,000 per day, tenant eviction orders.
White Plains, NY
Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers cannot be stored on streets. Residential zoning restricts storage in driveways and front yards — typically rear or...
White Plains, NY
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW cannot park overnight on residential streets. Delivery and service trucks allowed during active work only; daytime co...
White Plains, NY
Overnight on-street parking is restricted in many White Plains neighborhoods (typically 3 a.m.–5 a.m. prohibition unless posted otherwise). Residents may pur...
White Plains, NY
Retaining walls over 4 ft high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a Building Department permit and engineered drawings. Walls supportin...
White Plains, NY
White Plains prohibits chickens, roosters, and livestock in residential zones. City is urban/suburban and not zoned for agricultural use. No backyard chicken...
White Plains, NY
White Plains enforces the New York State Property Maintenance Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225) and Fire Code through its Department of Building. Single- or multiple...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Westchester County.
See how other cities in Westchester County handle adu rules.
See how White Plains's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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