Oakfield allows a small in-house apartment, up to 600 sq ft, with the owner on site, by Planning Board special permit.
The code allows an ADU only with a special use permit, which a board must approve, usually after a public hearing. Approval is not automatic.
Whether any of this applies to your lot depends on your zoning district and your property.
The rules we found
| What the code says | Allowed with a special use permit |
|---|---|
| Detached (backyard) unit | No. Not allowed in an accessory building |
| Inside or attached | Yes, as part of the main house |
| Size limit | No more than 25% of the building's floor area and no more than 600 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | None stated |
| Owner must live on site | Yes. The owner's primary residence is one of the units |
| How approval works | Planning Board special use permit in R-1 and R-2 |
| Other rules | One ADU per lot. The lot must meet the district's minimum size and street frontage (its width along the road). Outside changes can't make the house look less like a home. |
Code section: §295-50 Accessory apartments
What this means for your plans
- Expect a public hearing where neighbors can speak, and a board decision that can take a few months. How special use permits work.
- The owner has to live on the property. If you plan to move away, spend winters somewhere else or sell, read the owner rule above closely. Renting and owner rules.
Before you spend money on drawings
- Confirm the Village of Oakfield governs your lot: it should be the municipality on your property tax bill.
- Find your zoning district on the municipal zoning map; the rules above can differ by district.
- Call or write the code office with your address and what you’re picturing, and ask for the answer and the code section in writing.
- On septic or a well? Ask the Genesee County health department whether the system can serve an extra bedroom. On public sewer? Ask your sewer district.
Our guides explain the approval process, site and utility checks and what an ADU costs.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. The Village of Oakfield decides what can be built on your property.