Ogden allows an in-law apartment up to 750 sq ft for owners and blood relatives, no rental, with zoning board approval.
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 | No under the in-law route |
| Inside or attached | Yes, an in-law apartment in R-1 with common access |
| Size limit | 750 sq ft |
| Bedrooms | Not stated in the code we read |
| Owner must live on site | Owners and blood relatives only; no rental |
| Who may live there | Family members only; it cannot be rented to the public |
| How approval works | Zoning Board of Appeals conditional permit; deed restrictions recorded |
| Other rules | The apartment must share access with the house and be designed so it can become part of the house again. In the R-2 district, a two-family home is a separate option under different rules. |
Code section: §300-28D(9); R-2 provisions (Ogden district use 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 Ogden 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 Ogden decides what can be built on your property.