Build an ADU in Rye.
New Hampshire's HB 577 lets you add one accessory dwelling unit on your single-family lot in Rye — by-right. A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf, and ADU setbacks match your lot's single-family setbacks.
5 districts
Each district's single-family setbacks — which your ADU follows. The primary residential district is highlighted.
Verified against the official Rye zoning ordinance · source · 2026-07-06
- Front
- 40 ft
- Side
- 20 ft
- Rear
- 30 ft
- Max coverage
- 15% impervious
- Min lot
- 66,000 sf (~1.52 ac)
Primary single-family residential district; permitted use is single-family detached dwelling (190-2.3.A). Coverage 15%: no dwelling may occupy more than 15% of the lot, AND the total of dwelling plus all accessory buildings, decks, patios, impervious driveways/walkways and…
- Front
- 30 ft
- Side
- 20 ft
- Rear
- 30 ft
- Max coverage
- 30% impervious
- Min lot
- 44,000 sf (~1.01 ac)
Rear yard is 1/4 of lot depth OR 30 ft, whichever is LESS (190-2.4.C.1). Coverage 30%: no dwelling may occupy more than 30% of the lot, AND dwelling plus all accessory buildings plus patios and impervious surfaces may occupy no more than 30% of the lot (190-2.4.C.5).
- Front
- 40 ft
- Side
- 20 ft
- Rear
- 30 ft
- Max coverage
- —
- Min lot
- —
Open-space preservation district (added 1989). Residential, commercial, business and industrial uses are PROHIBITED (190-2.8.D); permitted uses are open space, forestry, conservation, trails, nature centers and similar low-impact uses with no buildings, plus accessory…
- Front
- 30 ft
- Side
- 20 ft
- Rear
- 30 ft
- Max coverage
- 40% building
- Min lot
- 44,000 sf (~1.01 ac)
Rear yard is 1/4 of lot depth OR 30 ft, whichever is LESS (190-2.10.C.1). Min lot 44,000 sf (tourist camp sites 2,200 sf; two-family dwellings 88,000 sf); frontage >=150 ft; depth >=150 ft (190-2.10.C.7).
- Front
- 30 ft
- Side
- 20 ft
- Rear
- 24 ft
- Max coverage
- 75% building
- Min lot
- 44,000 sf (~1.01 ac)
Rear yard 24 ft (fixed) (190-2.11.C.1). Min lot 44,000 sf; frontage >=150 ft; depth >=150 ft (190-2.11.C.6).
Form-based and downtown districts may use build-to lines instead of fixed setbacks (shown as “—”); verify your parcel's district before you build.
Rye ADU FAQ
Yes. Under NH RSA 674:71-73 (HB 577), one accessory dwelling unit is allowed by-right on single-family lots statewide, including Rye (Rockingham County). A detached ADU can be up to 950 sf.
In Rye's SR zone, ADUs follow the single-family setbacks: 40 ft front, 20 ft side, and 30 ft rear. Rye has 5 zoning districts in total — see the full table below. Confirm your exact zone with the town.