R2A Zoning is a low density contextual residential zoning district in NYC. You can only build single family detached homes in R2A.
The R2A Zoning District is a sub district of R2 Zoning in NYC. It’s characterized by detached single family homes. R2A Zoning is mapped in Queens.
R2 Zoning Districts
R2 Contextual Districts
- R2A
- R2X
R2A Zoning Regulations
The New York City Zoning Resolution is complicated and quite in depth. In this article we will review some basic Zoning Codes with regards to residential zoning district R2A. This analysis does not assume to cover every possible issue, but provide a general overview of the zoning codes.
R2A Zoning Community Facility
R2A Zoning is a residential zone but Community Facility uses are allowed in R2 zones. In the instance of a community facility the zoning calculations may be different as community facilities can have alternate requirements.
R2A Zoning Specifications
Minimum Lot Size: Lot Area & Lot Width
Lot Size:
You can only build single family detached homes in R2 zoning. A Detached house has yards on all sides and does not touch any other buildings or houses.
Minimum Lot width =40 Feet
Minimum Lot Area = 3,800 Sq Ft
R2A 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 R2A
The Dwelling Unit factor determines the maximum number of dwellings or families on the property. In R2A you can only build a single family home but the density factor is 1,900 square feet. Density Factor will matter if you have a small zoning lot.
R2A Building Heights:
The Perimeter Wall height is 21 feet maximum.
The Overall Building Height is 35 feet maximum.
Yard Requirements for R2A
Front Yard = 15 Feet minimum
Rear Yard = 30 Feet
Side Yards = 13 Feet of side yards combined with the smaller of the two yards being 5 feet minimum.
R2A 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.
R2A Example Lot
Lets assume we have a 40 foot wide and 100 foot deep property in an R2A Zoning District in Queens on an interior lot.
Zoning Floor Area/ Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
So the floor area ratio 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 40 feet x 100 feet.
Zoning Floor Area = Lot Area X FAR
Lot Area = 40 x 100
Lot Area = 4,000 sq ft
FAR = .5
Zoning Floor area = .5 x 4,000
Zoning Floor Area = 2,000 sq ft
In this example we can build a single family house up to 2,000 square feet on the property.
R2A Zoning in NYC
As an architect I study Zoning Codes closely, but these are complicated and quite involved issues. In this article we reviewed some of the basic concepts with regards to the R2A Zoning Districts. This post does not assume to cover every possible issue or condition, but provide a general overview of the topic.
Thank You for reading our post on R2A 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.
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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.
