Navigating the New York City Zoning Resolution
When working with a client on a new building, or an addition to an existing structure, one of the services we provide early on in the design process are zoning studies. To produce these, we consult the New York City Zoning Resolution, which regulates land use in the five boroughs. The zoning text is a robust document and addresses the uses allowed and the maximum size and shape of the building(s) on a particular lot. The rules differ depending on which zoning district the lot is located in.
To distinguish each other, zoning districts are assigned a letter (R for residential, C for commercial, M for manufacturing), followed by one or two numbers, and sometimes additionally by a letter suffix (A, B or X). The number typically indicates the density of the district, the number “1” being the least buildable. The letter suffix denotes a special district (historic or mixed use).
Uses allowed in each district are specified in the zoning resolu-tion and aren’t as simple as you might imagine. For example, if a district is labeled residential, it does not necessarily mean it can only house residential uses. Many residential districts allow for community facilities or commercial uses. Also, not all residential buildings are allowed in certain residential districts. Districts R1 and R2 for example, only allow single-family residences.
