Building Setbacks & Zoning in Albany, NY (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Albany, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zoning district, from a 0-foot front yard in the R-T District to 25 feet in R-1L.
Albany Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-401, Table 375.401.1
Front yard, minimum (feet): R-1L 25[2]; R-1M 15[2]; R-2 10[2]; R-T 0[2]; R-M 0[2]; R-V 10[2]. Side yard, minimum (feet): R-1L 5; R-1M 0[3]; R-2 0[3]; R-T 0; R-M 0[3]; R-V 15. Rear yard, minimum: R-1L 40 feet; R-1M 25 feet; R-2 20% of lot depth; R-T 10% of lot depth; R-M 15 feet; R-V 20 feet.
Structure Height Limits
Albany caps principal residential buildings at 35 feet (2.5 stories) in the R-1L, R-1M and R-2 districts, rising to 45 feet in R-T, 55 feet in R-M and 65 feet in R-V, under the Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance's dimensional standards table.
Albany Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-401(3)(a), Table 375.401.1
Building Height[5] Principal structure Height maximum (stories) 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 4 5[7] Height, maximum (feet) 35 35 35 45[6] 55[6] 65 ... [5] Building height cannot exceed either the specified number of stories or feet and the more restrictive shall control.
Lot Coverage Limits
Albany limits how much of every lot can be covered by buildings, driveways, and other impervious surfaces, with maximum coverage ranging from 30% to 80% by zoning district, to curb stormwater flooding and combined sewer overflows.
Albany Caps Impervious Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-401(2)(d)
Impervious surface. Because some areas of the City are subject to combined sewer overflows and to surface stormwater flooding, it is important that the maximum amount of impervious surface on each lot is carefully regulated. Each dimensional table in Subsection (3) below contains maximum impervious surface limits designed to reduce off-site flows into the City's stormwater system by allowing a ...
Looking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albany city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Albany County →