Cortlandt ADUS
document
3 pages
Meeting: portal event 792 (no meeting page on file)
Agenda item: Continued review of proposed changes to accessory apartment law.
Document, 3 pages. Attached to agenda item: “Continued review of proposed changes to accessory apartment law.”
Retrieved 2026-07-31 from the village's meeting portal.
View the original PDF ↗
Also attached to this agenda item:
Bedford ADUs
Briarcliff Manor ADUs
Housing Taskforce Report
Westchester Model Ordinance ADUs
Extracted text
§ 307-45. Accessory apartments.
A.
Purpose.
(1)
The purpose of this section is to allow accessory apartments by special permit
on single-family properties in zoning districts where single-family dwellings
are permitted, except where enforceable deed covenants prohibit the same, in
order to provide the opportunity and encouragement for the development of
small rental housing units designed, in particular, to meet the special housing
needs of single persons and couples of low and moderate income, both young
and old, and of relatives of families presently living in the Town of Cortlandt.
Further, it is the purpose of this section to allow the more efficient use of the
Town's stock of dwellings and accessory buildings; to provide economic
support for present resident families of limited income; to protect and preserve
property values; and to preserve the character and appearance of single-family
neighborhoods.
(2)
To achieve these goals, the following standards and conditions apply.
B.
Standards and conditions.
(1)
No more than one accessory apartment per lot may be permitted, nor shall the
total number of dwelling units on any lot exceed two.
(2)
No accessory apartment may be permitted in a two-family dwelling.
(3)
No special permit for an accessory apartment within a single-family dwelling
shall be issued unless three years have elapsed from the date of issuance of a
certificate of occupancy for the dwelling or unless no certificate of occupancy
is required pursuant to Local Law No. 6-1992 of the Town of Cortlandt
1 for
such dwelling.
(4)
No special permit for an accessory apartment in an accessory building may be
issued, except in R-80 and R-40 Districts where such accessory building
existed prior to April 21, 1979. (April 21, 1979, is the date of Town-wide aerial
photography.)
(5)
The owner of the lot upon which the accessory apartment is located shall
occupy one of the dwelling units on the premises as his principal residence.
(6)
The special permit shall be issued to the owner of the premises. The owner/
applicant shall be required to file on the subject property a declaration of
covenants at the Westchester County Clerk's office prior to the issuance of a
special permit for an accessory apartment. This declaration shall be in favor of
the Town of Cortlandt and shall state that:
(a)
The special permit for an accessory apartment or any renewal of said
special permit shall terminate upon the death of the owner or upon the
1.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 149, Code Administration and Enforcement.
:1
transfer of title to said premises or upon the owner no longer occupying
the premises as his principal residence.
(b)
The new owner of the premises shall have to apply to the Zoning Board
of Appeals for a special permit to continue the accessory apartment.
(7)
Should there be a change in ownership or a change in the residence of the
owner, a new application is required to be submitted to the Department of
Technical Services to continue the use of the accessory apartment. [Amended
11-10-2020 by L.L. No. 4-2020]
(8)
Dimensional requirements. The following regulations shall apply:
(a)
Accessory apartments within single-family dwellings:
[1]
Minimum size of single-family dwelling: 1,600 square feet.
[2]
Minimum size of accessory apartment: 400 square feet.
[3]
Maximum size of accessory apartment: 25% of the habitable floor
space of the principal dwelling or 600 square feet, whichever is less,
unless in the opinion of the Zoning Board of Appeals a greater or
lesser
amount
of
floor
area
is
warranted
by
the
specific
circumstances of the particular building.
(b)
Accessory apartments in accessory structures:
[1]
Minimum size of accessory building to be expanded for an accessory
apartment: 200 square feet.
[2]
Minimum size of accessory apartment: 400 square feet.
[3]
Maximum size of accessory apartment: two bedrooms.
[4]
Minimum side and rear yards: as required for the principal dwelling,
except that the Zoning Board of Appeals may vary front, rear and
side yard requirements.
(9)
Exterior appearance. If an accessory apartment is located in the principal
dwelling, the entry to such unit and its design shall be such that, to the degree
reasonably feasible, the appearance of the building will remain as a single-
family residence. In cases where alterations are to be made to accommodate
the accessory apartment, elevation drawings may be required to be submitted
with the application for a special permit.
(10) Off-street parking. Off-street parking shall be provided in conformance with
the requirements of Article VIII.
(11) There shall be no renting of rooms in either the accessory apartment or in the
principal dwelling.
(12) The accessory apartment shall meet the standards of the New York State
§ 307-45
§ 307-45
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Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code for habitable space.
§ 307-45
§ 307-45
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