C8-4 Zoning is a General Service Commercial Zoning district in NYC. In C8-4 are typically heavy commercial uses bordering manufacturing zoning.
The C8-4 Zoning District is a sub district of C8 Zoning in NYC. C8 is a general service zoning district with having retail, department automotive showrooms, car washes, warehouses and other commercial uses. C8-4 Zoning is mapped in Manhattan, The Bronx, and Brooklyn.
C8-4 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 commercial zoning district C8-4. This analysis does not assume to cover every possible issue, but provide a general overview of the zoning codes.
C8-4 Zoning Specifications
C8-4 Commercial Floor Area Ratio (FAR):
Floor Area Ratio determines the floor area that can be built on the property.
FAR = 5
C8-4 Community Facility Floor Area Ratio
FAR = 6.5
Yard Requirements for Commercial Use in C8-4
Side Yards
Side Yards are not required, but if side yards are provided they must comply with the following:
At minimum 8 feet in width or
At minimum 5 feet in width with an average width of 8 feet.
Some special circumstances will require side yards.
Rear Yard
20 Foot rear yard required
C8-4 Height And Setback
Initial Setback Distance
20 feet on narrow street
15 on wide street
Building Height Within Initial Setback Distance = 85 feet or 6 stories whichever is less
Sky Exposure Plane Vertical to Horizontal
Narrow Street Sky Exposure Plane = 2.7 to 1
Wide Street Sky Exposure Plane = 5.6 to 1
C8-4 Alternate Height And Setback
Alternate height and setback regulations can apply if you provide open space for the entire length of the front lot line.
Depth Of Optional Front Yard
15 feet on narrow street
10 on wide street
Sky Exposure Plane Height Above Street Line = 85 feet
Sky Exposure Plane Vertical to Horizontal
Narrow Street Sky Exposure Plane = 3.7 to 1
Wide Street Sky Exposure Plane = 7.6 to 1
Thank You for reading our Blog Post on C8-4 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.
