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

Chapter 285 of the Troy City Code, enacted by the Troy City Council in Rensselaer County, New York, prints a height limit in each residential district section, directly after the Lot characteristics list. In the R-1 Single-Family Residential Detached district (§ 285-52) the limit is 25 feet. The R-2 Two-Family Residential district (§ 285-53) sets a maximum building height of 35 feet, as does the R-3 Multiple-Family Residential, Medium-Density district (§ 285-54). The R-4 Urban Neighborhood Residential district (§ 285-55) prints a maximum building height of 40 feet to 60 feet, a range rather than a single number, and the text of that section does not state what decides where in the range a building falls.\n\nThe rule sits under § 285-51, which governs how every district standard applies.

Subsection B says no building can be erected or altered to exceed the height specified for the district in which it is located. Subsection E applies building height, along with setbacks, lot coverage, lot area and lot width, to new construction only. Existing structures with or without a change of use do not have to meet the zone's area requirements, and increasing the number of dwelling units in an existing building counts as new construction. Subsection G prevents the Director of Code Enforcement from altering, waiving or interpreting the specific requirements of §§ 285-52 through 285-67 except as provided in § 285-16D, E and F.\n\nAn owner who wants a taller building than the district prints applies to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board grants variances, and reversing a Director's decision or granting a variance requires the concurrence of four Board members.