Zoning Terminology

Zoning amendments are proposed changes to the Zoning Resolution (see Zoning Map & Zoning Text changes) and per the City Charter can be proposed by any taxpayer, community board, borough…

The City Planning Commission (CPC) is a Mayoral controlled commission responsible for the conduct of planning relating to "the orderly growth and development of the city." The Chairperson of the…

A zoning map amendment entails changing the zoning designation on the zoning map(s), which could affect one lot, many blocks or an entire neighborhood. Almost all rezonings by their nature…

Zoning Text Amendments are changes to the text of the Zoning Resolution - the actual written rules for different zoning districts. Text Amendments on their own do not require the…

A special permit is a discretionary action by the City Planning Commission (CPC), subject to ULURP review, or the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), which may modify use, bulk…

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the fundamental metric used to measure the density of a development. It is determined by dividing the total building floor area by the area of…

Soft sites are sites where a specific development is not currently proposed, but may reasonably be expected to occur in the event of an increase of allowable density (see Floor…

Development rights represent the maximum amount of floor area permissible on a zoning lot (see Floor Area Ratio). In certain situations, development rights can be transfered from one zoning lot…

Most housing development in the city takes place “as-of-right,” meaning that it complies with existing zoning regulations - it matches bulk and use rules - and does not need a…

The Board of Standards & Appeals (BSA) is a Mayoral appointed commission that grants variances for zoning lots with certain constraints or conditions where construction might not otherwise be possible.…