We read this municipality’s code, but parts of our finding still need confirming. Treat it as a starting point and confirm with the code office.
Chili has approved in-law units by special permit with no-rental conditions. A fully separate cottage is a case-by-case question.
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.
The unit is limited to family members, so it cannot be rented to the public.
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 (family only) |
|---|---|
| Detached (backyard) unit | Wholly detached units need review; a July 2026 approval covered a 450 sq ft cottage joined by a covered deck |
| Inside or attached | Yes, through the two-family/duplex special permit; recent in-law approvals |
| Size limit | No universal cap |
| Bedrooms | Not stated in the code we read |
| Owner must live on site | Recent approvals ended when the qualifying occupant leaves |
| Who may live there | Family members only; it cannot be rented to the public |
| How approval works | Planning Board special use permit |
| Other rules | The two-family (duplex) special permit that covers in-law units is available in the RA and R-1 zoning districts. Approvals in July 2026 came with conditions: in-laws only, no renting, the decision recorded with the deed, and permit and health requirements. |
Code section: §§500-11C(14), 500-12D(5), 500-13C(7) (Chili zoning district regulations)
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.
- Only family members can live in the ADU, so it can’t be rented for income. Think about what it becomes when family no longer needs it.
What we’re still confirming
- This comes from our review of the code on September 16, 2026. Confirm with the town before you rely on it.
Before you spend money on drawings
- Confirm the Town of Chili 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 Monroe 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 Town of Chili decides what can be built on your property.