Clay, NY Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

The RA-100 dimensional table in § 230-13 sets maximum building height separately for each of the district's three use categories. A principal structure and its attached accessory structures may rise no higher than 35 feet if residential, 50 feet if nonresidential, or 60 feet if agricultural. Detached accessory structures larger than 100 square feet face tighter limits: 25 feet for both residential and nonresidential accessory buildings, but still 60 feet for an agricultural accessory structure, matching the height allowed for an agricultural principal building. Section 230-11 defines 'building, height of' as the vertical distance from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front of the building to its highest point, which includes not just the roof but any towers, chimneys, penthouses, signs, tanks, elevators, stair bulkheads, mechanical equipment or light poles mounted on it, so rooftop equipment counts toward the limit.

Beyond the district-specific numbers, § 230-10.B makes the height cap a townwide backstop: no building or structure may be erected or altered to exceed the height, or to house more dwelling units, cover more lot area, or leave narrower yards, than the applicable district allows. These RA-100 figures apply specifically to the Residential Agricultural district; the Town's other residential districts, such as R-40 and R-15, carry their own, lower, 30-foot height caps for principal structures under their own subsections of § 230-13.