Setback requirements in Ulster County vary by zoning district across 20 towns and cities. Typical residential setbacks are 30-50 feet front, 10-20 feet side, and 25-40 feet rear. Larger rural zones in Olive, Denning, and Hardenburgh require greater setbacks. Shoreline setbacks from the Hudson River, Esopus Creek, and Ashokan Reservoir may be 75-100 feet.
Setbacks are set by each municipality's Zoning Code, not by the county. Town of New Paltz Zoning (Chapter 140) requires 35-ft front, 15-ft side, 30-ft rear in R-1 districts. City of Kingston Zoning (Chapter 405) sets 20-ft front, 8-ft side, 25-ft rear in R-2. Town of Saugerties R-1: 50-ft front, 20-ft side, 50-ft rear. Rural Olive, Denning, and Hardenburgh apply 75-ft front setbacks with 5-acre minimum lots. Shoreline setbacks: NYS DEC requires 100-ft setback from protected freshwater wetlands and 150-ft from Hudson River tidal wetlands under 6 NYCRR Part 663. NYC DEP Watershed Rules (18 NYCRR Part 18) require 100-ft setbacks for subsurface sewage systems from Ashokan, Cannonsville, and Pepacton watercourses. Corner lots face front setbacks on both street frontages. Nonconforming structures pre-dating zoning may continue but cannot expand into setbacks without an Area Variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals under NY Town Law §267-b.
Building in a setback triggers stop-work orders and fines typically $250-$1,000 per day under Town Law §268. Variances require ZBA hearings with publication and abutter notice. Structures built without variances may be ordered removed at owner expense.
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See how Ulster County's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
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