Lot coverage in the Town of Colonie is regulated by Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use), with maximum coverage set district-by-district in the Dimensional Table (Attachment 2). Accessory structures to single-family or two-family dwellings may occupy up to 40% of the rear yard. Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to 50% lot coverage and count toward total lot coverage. NYSDEC stormwater rules apply to larger disturbances.
Chapter 190 of the Town of Colonie Code (Zoning and Land Use) sets maximum lot coverage for each district as part of the bulk standards in Article VI (Dimensional Requirements and Density Incentives), with the numerical limits in Attachment 2 (Dimensional Table) of the chapter. Two specific Town-level coverage rules apply across districts: (1) Structures accessory to a single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling may occupy up to 40% of the rear yard, and (2) Ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to 50% lot coverage, and the surface area covered by ground-mounted solar energy systems is included in total lot coverage calculations. Larger commercial projects in OR, CO, NCOR, COR, HCOR, Airport Business and Industrial Districts must also observe the 100-foot building / 50-foot parking-loading-storage setback from any residential zone boundary when the lot is more than 300 feet deep. Stormwater for earth-disturbance projects of one acre or more is regulated through the NYSDEC SPDES General Permit GP-0-20-001 (or current edition), administered via the Town of Colonie's MS4 program. Lot-coverage compliance is verified at building-permit application via plot plan and again at final inspection by the Building and Fire Services Department.
Exceeding the lot-coverage maximum set in Chapter 190 is a zoning violation enforceable by the Building and Fire Services Department, which can refuse to issue a Certificate of Occupancy until the parcel is brought into compliance and refer civil enforcement to the Town Attorney under NY Town Law Β§268. Failure to obtain or comply with a NYSDEC SPDES stormwater permit on projects of one acre or more is separately enforceable by NYSDEC under ECL Β§17-0807 with daily civil penalties.
Colonie, NY
Abandoned vehicles in the Town of Colonie are handled under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Β§1224 (Abandoned Vehicles), which makes the town in which a vehi...
Colonie, NY
Pool barriers in Colonie are governed by the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted by reference in the NY State Uniform Code at 19 NYCR...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie Zoning Law does not prescribe a closed list of permitted fence materials, but barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor wire are genera...
Colonie, NY
Boundary and 'spite fence' disputes in Colonie are governed by New York State common law and statute, not the town zoning code. Real Property Actions and Pro...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie requires a fence/zoning permit from the Department of Building & Code Enforcement before installing a fence, with a plot plan showing fen...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie does not impose a numeric limit on the number of dogs, cats, or other companion animals per household. Chapter 79 Article III caps chicke...
See how Colonie's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.