Accessory Structures in Colonie, NY (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Colonie, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Colonie is a Town in Albany County, New York (population approximately 86,000) regulating accessory dwelling units through Chapter 190 (Zoning) of the Colonie Town Code under authority of New York Town Law §261. New York has not enacted a statewide ADU preemption statute; the 2022 statewide ADU proposal was withdrawn and the current New York Plus One ADU Pilot Program (administered by NY Homes and Community Renewal) provides voluntary grant funding rather than a mandate. Whether an ADU is permitted in Colonie is therefore determined entirely by Chapter 190. The Town Code is hosted on eCode360 at https://ecode360.com/CO0290.
Colonie NY ADU Rules (Town Code Ch. 190 Zoning; NY Town Law §261; No State ADU Preemption)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
An accessory dwelling unit in Colonie requires permits from two municipal tracks: a zoning permit, area variance, or special-use permit confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under Chapter 190, and a building permit under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code at 19 NYCRR Part 1219. New York has no statewide ADU preemption like California's SB 9 or Oregon's HB 2001, so timelines, fees, hearing requirements, and approval criteria are set entirely by Colonie pursuant to NY Town Law Article 16 and applicable local ordinances. The Colonie Plus One ADU Pilot Program (if Colonie has opted in through NY Homes and Community Renewal) may provide voluntary grant funding for eligible projects but does not change zoning rules.
Colonie NY ADU Permits (Building Department; Zoning + Building Both Required)
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
New York has not enacted a general municipal impact-fee enabling statute, and New York courts have historically scrutinized exactions outside specific statutory authority. Colonie does not impose general development impact fees on residential construction; ADU applicants typically face only standard zoning permit fees, building permit fees under 19 NYCRR Part 1203, and water and sewer connection fees through Town water districts or the Albany County Sewer District. School districts in New York lack impact-fee authority and are funded through the state aid formula under NY Education Law §3602. Recreation fees-in-lieu may apply to subdivisions under NY Town Law §277(4) but generally not to single-lot infill ADUs.
Colonie NY ADU Impact Fees (No Broad NY Impact Fee Authority; Permit & Utility Fees Apply)
Few RestrictionsShed Rules
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Colonie are regulated through two layers: (1) Chapter 190 (Zoning) of the Colonie Town Code, which sets dimensional standards by district (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, and location relative to the principal dwelling); and (2) the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code at 19 NYCRR Part 1219 (adopting the 2020 IRC), which under IRC R105.2 typically exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 144 square feet or less from building permit requirements but does not waive zoning compliance. Colonie property owners generally still need a zoning permit from the Building Department even when no building permit is required.
Colonie NY Shed Rules (Town Code Ch. 190 Accessory Structures; IRC R105.2 Permit Threshold)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a Colonie garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or accessory apartment) requires both (1) zoning approval under Chapter 190 for the change of use, since the converted area no longer functions as accessory parking and may trigger off-street parking minimums or ADU classification; and (2) a building permit under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code at 19 NYCRR Part 1219. Conversions must meet IRC Chapter 3 requirements for habitable spaces including R310 emergency egress, R305 ceiling height, R314 smoke alarms, and R315 carbon monoxide alarms (especially relevant given New York's Amanda's Law CO requirements).
Colonie NY Garage Conversions (Ch. 190 Change-of-Use; IRC R310/R305 Egress and Ceiling Height)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Colonie city rules.
Accessory Structures in Albany County →