ADU Rules in Catskill, NY: Why Address Matters More Than You'd Think

By Spenser McCoy

If you own property in Catskill, the first question isn't "how big can my ADU be" — it's "which Catskill am I actually in." The Town of Catskill and the Village of Catskill are two separate municipalities, each with its own zoning code and its own building department. Get this wrong and you'll design to the wrong rulebook.

In the Town of Catskill, accessory apartments are allowed town wide, approved through site plan review. The size window is specific: your unit has to land somewhere between 400 and 800 square feet, with a two-bedroom cap. There's no owner-occupancy requirement in the text — you don't have to live on the property to build one. You will need off-street parking on the same parcel, and your water and sewage plan has to clear Greene County Health Department standards. One quirk worth knowing before you design: the code references both "site plan review" and, separately, "revocation of the special permit" — an internal inconsistency that's worth a quick call to the Building Department to clarify before you commit to drawings.

In the Village of Catskill, a new ADU law passed in 2025 and reportedly allows basements, garages, attics, and detached structures — a broader menu than the Town's. The Village's full ordinance text isn't cleanly published online, so treat any specific numbers you've heard (including an 180-day owner-occupancy figure) as directional until Code Enforcement confirms them.

One thing that applies either way: Greene County doesn't participate in the state's Plus One ADU grant program, so don't count on that funding source here.

The bottom line: Catskill rewards homeowners who do their homework before they design. A five-minute call to the right building department saves weeks of redesign later.

FAQ

Are ADUs allowed in Catskill? Yes — in both the Town and the Village, under two different sets of rules.

How do I know which jurisdiction I'm in? Your tax bill or deed will say Town of Catskill or Village of Catskill. When in doubt, call either office — they'll tell you.

Is there ADU grant funding available in Catskill? Not through the state's Plus One program — Greene County doesn't participate.

Ready to figure out what your Catskill lot can actually hold? Book a free Discovery Call with OneBuild and we'll confirm your jurisdiction, your size limit, and your path to approval — before you spend a dollar on design.