Greece allows a connected in-law apartment up to 600 sq ft with a building permit. Relatives only.
The code describes a way to approve an ADU with a permit, without a special public hearing for the ADU itself.
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 permit (family only) |
|---|---|
| Detached (backyard) unit | No under the in-law route |
| Inside or attached | Yes, connected with an internal doorway in R-1-44, R-1-18, R-1-10 and R-1-E |
| Size limit | 600 sq ft or 30% of the house, whichever is smaller |
| Bedrooms | Not stated in the code we read |
| Owner must live on site | Owner affirmation; occupancy limited to in-laws |
| Who may live there | Family members only; it cannot be rented to the public |
| How approval works | Building permit and notarized owner affirmation |
| Other rules | One apartment per home. It must connect to the house through an inside door, even if it also has an outside door. The house must still look like a one-family home. When the apartment is empty, the space goes back to being part of the main house. |
Code section: §211-11B(12) (Greece R-1 district regulations)
What this means for your plans
- 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 Greece 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 Greece decides what can be built on your property.