5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Erie County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Erie County does not zone for accessory dwelling units. Whether an ADU, in-law suite, or backyard cottage is allowed on your lot is decided by your town, city, or village zoning code, not by county government.
Under the NYS Uniform Code, a detached one-story shed of 144 square feet or less may be exempted from a building permit, but each Erie County municipality decides whether to honor that exemption and applies its own zoning setbacks.
Converting a garage to living space is a zoning and building matter handled by your Erie County town, city, or village, not the county. A permit and Uniform Code compliance are required, and local zoning controls whether the new use is allowed.
Erie County has no countywide carport ordinance. Whether you can build a carport, and its setbacks, size, and permit requirements, are governed by your town, city, or village zoning code and the NYS Uniform Code.
Erie County has no tiny-home ordinance. Whether a tiny house is allowed, and as what, is decided by your town, city, or village zoning code, while the NYS Uniform Code and RCNYS set building standards for any permanent dwelling.
1 cities in Erie County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Erie County Ordinance Hub →