Building a Backyard Cottage in Staten Island: Everything You Need to Know
If you live on Staten Island and have a decent-sized backyard, you might be sitting on one of the best opportunities in New York City right now.
Thanks to the City of Yes Housing Plan, which passed in December 2024, Staten Island homeowners can now legally build a backyard cottage ADU on their property, and Staten Island is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this.
Why Staten Island is the ADU Sweet Spot
Staten Island has something the other boroughs don't: space. The average lot size on Staten Island is significantly larger than in Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan, and that means more room for a detached backyard unit — a real, standalone home with its own entrance, its own kitchen, and its own life.
Under the new NYC zoning and building code rules, your backyard cottage can be up to 800 square feet - it just can't take up more than one-third of your required rear yard. On a typical Staten Island lot, that leaves plenty of room to build something genuinely livable.
What Kind of ADU Can You Build?
On Staten Island, the most common options are:
Detached backyard cottage — a freestanding structure in your yard
Garage conversion — turning your existing garage into a full living space
Attached addition — adding a unit onto the side or back of your home
Garage conversions are especially viable on Staten Island, since so many homes here have detached or attached garages that could become something more.
What Are the Rules
A few things to keep in mind before you start drawing up plans:
You must live on the property (either in the main house or the ADU)
The ADU needs its own separate entrance
Detached backyard cottages and garage ADUs require a fire sprinkler system
Your property can't be in a high-risk flood zone if you're building a subgrade unit
No additional parking space is required
How Much Does It Cost?
Building a backyard cottage or converting a garage on Staten Island typically runs between $200,000 and $300,000, depending on size, design, and site conditions. It's a significant investment — but so is the potential return. A finished ADU on Staten Island can rent for $1,600–$2,600 per month, and it adds meaningful value to your property.
Ready to See What’s Possible on Your Lot?
Every property is different. The best way to know what you can build — and what it would cost — is to start with a free assessment. At Second Key, we'll take your address and tell you exactly what's possible.