Accessory Structures in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
3 verified accessory structures rules for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the Town of Tonawanda, an accessory dwelling unit or in-law suite is allowed only as one accessory use per single-family lot under Town Code § 215-24.3B. The unit cannot exceed 30% of the primary home's habitable floor area or contain more than two bedrooms, and it is barred entirely on nonconforming lots or in nonconforming structures.
Tonawanda ADU Size and Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-24.3B
General requirements. ... Accessory dwelling units and in-law suites shall conform to the following. ... Such use may only operate as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling. There shall be no more than one such use per property. ... No such use shall be permitted on a nonconforming lot or within a nonconforming structure. ... The total floor area shall not exceed 30% of the total habitabl...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the Town of Tonawanda, an accessory dwelling unit or in-law suite can only exist if the owner actually lives on the property. Town Code § 215-24.3C requires the property owner to occupy either the primary home, the accessory unit, or the in-law suite as a primary residence, confirmed by a notarized affidavit filed with the Code Enforcement Officer.
Tonawanda ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code § 215-24.3C
Owner-occupancy requirements. (1) At least one of the dwellings (primary, accessory, or in-law suite) shall be occupied by the property owner and maintained as their primary residence. (2) The property owner shall sign an affidavit before a notary public affirming that the property is their primary residence. Such affidavit shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement Officer. Upon sale of the pr...
Shed & Carport Rules
A detached shed under 144 square feet on a one- or two-family lot in the Town of Tonawanda needs no building permit under § 54-5.B(1), but zoning still limits every lot to one garage plus two additional sheds or enclosed accessory structures under § 215-24.4.A(4). Bigger sheds, or a third shed, need Code Enforcement Officer sign-off.
Tonawanda Shed Permit and Size Rules
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 54-5, 215-24.4
(1) Construction or installation of one-story detached structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) which are used for tool and storage sheds, playhouses or similar uses, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 144 square feet (13.38 square meters); ... (4) Be limited to one attached garage and/or detached garage and up to two ad...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tonawanda city rules.
Accessory Structures in Erie County →