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

Section 235-9 sits in Article IV of the Town of Irondequoit zoning chapter, the article for the R-R, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential Districts. It sets two ceilings. A single-family dwelling unit cannot be taller than a two-story residential building, measured from the mean grade at the front setback, and that height cannot go past 30 feet as defined in Article II. Permitted nonresidential buildings, the ones listed in § 235-8A(2), (3) and (4), cannot exceed 65 feet. Those subsections cover churches and similar places of worship, accredited nonprofit schools, public hospitals, public libraries, municipal and special district buildings, and fire stations without club facilities.

Measurement matters. The Article II definition of building height runs from the average elevation of the proposed finish grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, the deckline for mansard roofs, and the average height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses, signs, tanks and similar projections that the chapter permits are not calculated in the height.

Smaller buildings carry their own ceilings. Under § 235-13C(4), a detached accessory structure other than a private garage cannot be higher than the principal structure or 12 feet, whichever is less, and § 235-13D sets separate garage caps of 12 feet in R-1, R-2 and R-3 and 15 feet in R-R. Mixed Use Commercial lots have a maximum building height of 35 feet under § 235-30.6G. An owner who needs more height asks the Town of Irondequoit Board of Appeals for a variance under § 267 of the Town Law, as § 235-101E provides.