Honeoye Falls allows an ADU with up to two bedrooms by zoning board permit, owner on site most of the year.
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 | Conversion of a conforming existing accessory structure; a new standalone cottage needs an interpretation |
| Inside or attached | Yes, in R-1, R-2 and R-4 |
| Size limit | No ADU-specific cap; accessory and district limits apply |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Owner must live on site | Yes, nine months a year; rent only one unit |
| How approval works | Zoning Board of Appeals special use permit and site plan |
| Other rules | One ADU per single-family home, with its own kitchen and bath. Not allowed in the R-3 district. A detached ADU must meet the rules for accessory buildings, can't go in an outbuilding that doesn't meet today's zoning rules, and must sit at least 10 ft from the house. It can't be split off or sold separately, and a new outside door on an attached unit goes on the side or back. |
Code section: §190-12 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (Honeoye Falls definitions). Definitions article includes May 19, 2025 Local Law 2-2025 amendments.
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.
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 Village of Honeoye Falls 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
- Village of Honeoye Falls code: §190-12 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (Honeoye Falls definitions) · official source
- Honeoye Falls residential districts, §§190-15–17
- Honeoye Falls ADU standards, §§190-54–56
- Honeoye Falls special use permits, Sections 190-151 and 190-153
- Village of Honeoye Falls building or code office
General information, not legal advice. The Village of Honeoye Falls decides what can be built on your property.