Use Group 1 NYC Zoning

by | Last updated Sep 10, 2019 | Houses, NYC Zoning, Property Development

The NYC Zoning Resolution has Use Groups to categorize buildings based on their use. Use Group 1 consists of Single Family Residential detached homes.

 

Use Group 1 NYC Zoning

Residential Use Groups

  • Use Group 1 Single family Detached Homes
  • Use Group 2 All other Residences

Certificate Of Occupancy for Use Group 1

A Certificate Of Occupancy for Use Group 1 houses would have 1 of 2 options for identifying the use of spaces:

  • 1A 
  • 1B

 

Use Group 1A

Use Group 1A is “Residential Use” only for “Single-Family Detached Residences. A detached residence is a house with yards on all sides of the house. The house never touches the property lines.

Use Group 1B

Use Group 1B is “accessory uses”. This would be uses that are accessory to the residence without being residential space such as a garage.

 

Where Can You Build Use Group 1?

Residential Zoning Districts

You can develop a single family detached house Group 1 in all residential zoning districts and subdistricts in New York City including contextual zoning districts.

Commercial Zoning Districts

Most commercial zoning districts have a residential equivalent zone. You can develop a single family use group 1 home in any commercial district in NYC with a residential equivalent including subdistricts and contextual districts.

  • C1 Local Retail
  • C2 Local Service
  • C3 Waterfront Recreation
  • C4 General Commercial
  • C5 Restricted Central Commercial
  • C6 General Central Commercial

Some commercial zoning districts have restrictions for example C4-1 has restrictions for residential based on lot size. Additionally Lower Density Growth Management Areas in Staten Island will have additional restrictions requiring mixed use buildings for residential use in many cases.

Manufacturing Zoning Districts

Manufacturing Districts do Not Allow Residential Use As Of Right.

Im M1 districts ending an the letter D residential use may be “permitted by authorization” by City Planning. There are several requirements in order to apply for this authorization. It must be reviewed on a case by case basis by City Planning. M1-6D has additional requirements in order to apply for this authorization.

  • M1-1D
  • M1-2D
  • M1-3D
  • M1-4D
  • M1-5D
  • M1-6D

 

Additional NYC Zoning Restrictions for Small Lots

NYC Zoning has restrictions on developing residential use on small zoning lots. If a property is smaller than the minimum required for the residential zoning district this can be a problem to develop. There are certain additional requirements in order to build on small zoning lots.

Certain areas of New York City have Special Zoning Districts and special requirements or restrictions. These can sometimes interfere with developments.

 

NYC Zoning Use Group 1

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 NYC Zoning Resolution Use Group 1. 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 blog post on Use Group 1 in the NYC Zoning Code.

I hope this was helpful. Please leave questions and comments below. If you would like to speak with an architect you can Contact Fontan Architecture directly.

 

Jorge Fontan

Jorge Fontan

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.