Building Setbacks & Zoning in Amherst, NY (2026)
2 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Structure Height Limits
In Amherst's Residential District One (R-1), the Zoning Ordinance's dimensional standards table caps principal single-family homes at two stories, up to 35 feet, on lots of at least 21,780 square feet. Detached accessory structures on the same lot are held to a lower 20-foot ceiling.
Amherst R-1 District Building Height Cap
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 3-4-2B
R-1 Principal Use Dimensional Standards Min. lot area (per dwelling) 21,780 sf Min. lot width 100 ft Min. yards Front yard 30 ft Rear yard 35 ft Combined side yard 20 ft Each side yard 8 ft ... Max. height 2 stories (up to 35 ft) Max. building coverage 35%
Lot Coverage Limits
In Amherst's R-1 single-family district, the Town caps building coverage at 35% of the lot, per the R-1 Principal Use Dimensional Standards table in Town Code § 3-4-2B. Lots must also meet a 21,780-square-foot minimum area per dwelling, so the 35% cap applies against that floor.
Amherst R-1 Max Building Coverage 35%
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 3-4-2B
R-1 Principal Use Dimensional Standards Min. lot area (per dwelling) 21,780 sf Min. lot width 100 ft Min. yards Front yard 30 ft Rear yard 35 ft Combined side yard 20 ft Each side yard 8 ft Corner lot See § 2-5-2A(5) Through lot See § 2-5-2A(2) Max. height 2 stories (up to 35 ft) Max. building coverage 35%
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Erie County →