R1-1 Zoning is a low density residential zoning district in NYC. You can only build single family detached homes in R1-1 Zoning districts.
The R1-1 Zoning District is a sub district of R1 Zoning in NYC. It’s mostly characterized by large single family homes on large properties with a lot of green natural areas. R1-1 Zoning is mapped in Riverdale in The Bronx, Staten Island, and a small part of Queens. There are different R1 districts this post will focus on R1-1.
R1 Zoning Districts
- R1-1
- R1-2
R1 Contextual Districts
R1-1 Zoning Regulations
In this article we will review some basic Zoning Codes with regards to residential zoning district R1-1.
R1-1 Zoning is single family detached home only. There are no other uses with the exception of community facility. To learn what a detached home is see another post we wrote on the difference between attached, detached, and semi detached definitions in zoning.
R1-1 Zoning Community Facility
R1-1 Zoning is a residential zone but Community Facility uses are allowed in R1 zones. In the instance of a community facility the zoning calculations may be different as community facilities can have alternate requirements. this post is going to focus on single family residential developments in R1-1 Zoning.
R1-1 Zoning NYC
R1-1 Zoning Specifications
Minimum Lot Size: Lot Area & Lot Width
Lot Size:
You can only build single family detached homes in R1 zoning. A Detached house has yards on all sides and does not touch any other buildings or houses. Every residential zoning district has a minimum lot size requirement. This is important if you want to subdivide a lot. See another post we wrote for a complete list of NYC minimum lot sizes.
Minimum Lot width =100 Feet
Minimum Lot Area = 9,500 Sq Ft
R1-1 has the largest lot size requirements of any zoning district in NYC.
R1-1 Floor Area Ratio (FAR):
Floor Area Ratio determines the floor area that can be built on the property. The floor area ratio is multiplied by the lot area.
FAR = .5
Density Factor or Dwelling Unit Factor (DU) for R1-1
The Dwelling Unit factor determines the maximum number of dwellings or families on the property. In R1-1 you can only build a single family home but the density factor is 4,750 square feet.
R1-1 Building Heights:
The height requirement is measured by a sky exposure plane starting 25 feet above the front yard line.
At the depth of the required front yard one draws an imaginary plane 25 feet vertically and then running back towards the rear of the property at a 1:1 pitch. The house cannot penetrate that imaginary plane.
Yard Requirements for R1-1
Front Yard = 20 Feet minimum
Rear Yard = 30 Feet
Side Yards = 35 Feet of side yards combined with the smaller of the two being 15 feet.
R1-1 Zoning Example
Here is an example zoning analysis. Be aware that zoning is complicated and I am only addressing the basics here. I assure you there are many additional issues and variations to consider beyond this example.
R1-1 Example Lot
Lets assume we have a 100 foot wide and 100 foot deep property in an R1-1 Zoning District in Riverdale, Bronx on an interior lot. Check out another blog post we have to learn the difference between an interior, corner, and through lot.
Zoning Floor Area/ Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
The floor area ratio for R1-1 is .5. The FAR is a ratio that determines how many square feet you can build on the property. You simply take the property size and multiply it by the FAR.
In this example we have:
FAR of .5
Lot Size of 100 feet x 100 feet.
Zoning Floor Area = Lot Area X FAR
Lot Area = 100 x 100
Lot Area = 10,000 sq ft
FAR = .5
Zoning Floor Area = 5,000 sq ft
In this example we can build a single family house up to 5,000 square feet on the property. The square footage includes all floors, attics under certain conditions (learn more about attic zoning), and basements. Cellars do not count for floor area. See another post about the difference between a cellar and basement.
R1-1 Zoning Parking Requirements
You must provide parking for at least 1 car.
NYC Zoning
As an architect I study zoning very closely. NYC Zoning is complicated and quite involved. In this article we reviewed some of the basic Zoning Codes with regards to residential zoning district R1-1. This analysis does not assume to cover every possible issue and condition, but provide a general overview. Reading this post does not substitute a real understanding of the New York City Zoning Resolution.
Thank You for reading our post on R1-1 Zoning in NYC.
I hope this was helpful. You can leave questions or comments below. If you want to discuss a specific project with an architect you can contact us directly.
This post was written by Jorge Fontan AIA a Registered Architect and owner of New York City architecture firm Fontan Architecture. Jorge Fontan has earned 3 degrees in the study of architecture including two degrees from the City University of New York and a Masters Degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. Jorge has a background in construction and has been practicing architecture for 20 years where he has designed renovations and new developments of various building types.
