Brooklyn since 2014All five boroughsSame-day response during business hours

What is NYC ZR § 25-631?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the regulations for curb cuts on zoning lots with residential buildings, specifying minimum widths and spacing requirements based on the zoning district. It includes provisions for non-conforming buildings and sets maximum widths for curb cuts in various residential zones. Applies to building owners in designated zoning districts.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

Michael Nacmias - Founding PartnerMichael Sargo - Partner
From the team atNacmias Law Firm, PLLCBrooklyn-based attorneys representingproperty owners across all five boroughsMeet the team →

§ 25-631 Location and width of curb cuts in certain districts

ZR § 25-631

All curb cuts on zoning lots with buildings containing residences shall comply with the provisions of this Section, except that, in lower density growth management areas, the provisions of Section 25-632 shall apply. The minimum width of a curb cut shall be eight feet, including splays. In addition, for non-conforming buildings in all districts, the provisions of Section 25-633 (Curb cut restrictions for certain buildings in R1 through R5 Districts) shall apply.

R2A

(a)In the district indicated, the maximum width of a curb cut shall be 18 feet, and the maximum width of a driveway within a front yard shall be 20 feet. All zoning lots shall maintain at least 18 feet of uninterrupted curb space along each street frontage.

R2X R3 R4 R5

(b)In the districts indicated, except R4B and R5B Districts, as well as for qualifying residential sites in R1 through R5 Districts, curb cuts shall comply with the following provisions:

(1)For zoning lots containing residences where not more than two accessory parking spaces are provided:

(i)for zoning lots with less than 50 feet of frontage along a street, only one curb cut, having a maximum width, including splays, of 10 feet, shall be permitted;

(ii)for zoning lots with at least 50 feet of frontage along a street, no more than two curb cuts shall be permitted along such street frontage. If one curb cut is provided, such curb cut shall have a maximum width, including splays, of 18 feet. If two curb cuts are provided, the maximum width of each curb cut, including splays, shall be 10 feet, and a minimum distance of 30 feet of uninterrupted curb space shall be provided between such curb cuts;

(iii)wherever accessory parking spaces are provided in adjacent side lot ribbons on zoning lots subdivided after June 30, 1989, the curb cuts giving access to such side lot ribbons shall be contiguous (paired), so that only one curb cut, having a maximum width of 18 feet, including splays, shall serve both side lot ribbons; and

(iv)a minimum distance of 16 feet of uninterrupted curb space shall be maintained between all curb cuts constructed after June 30, 1989, provided that this requirement shall not apply to zoning lots existing both on June 30, 1989, and April 14, 2010, that are less than 40 feet wide and where at least 16 feet of uninterrupted curb space is maintained along the street in front of the zoning lot; or

(2)For zoning lots containing residences where more than two accessory parking spaces are provided:

R4B R5B

(c)In the districts indicated, curb cuts are permitted only on zoning lots with at least 40 feet of street frontage and existing on the effective date of establishing such districts on the zoning maps. Any such zoning lot may be subdivided; however, curb cuts are permitted only for a resulting subdivided zoning lot that has at least 40 feet of street frontage. For detached, semi-detached and zero lot line buildings, the width and location of curb cuts shall be in accordance with paragraph (b)(1), inclusive, of this Section. For attached buildings and building segments, and for multiple dwellings in R5B Districts, at least 34 feet of uninterrupted curb space shall be maintained between all curb cuts constructed after June 30, 1989, provided that this requirement shall not apply to zoning lots existing on both June 30, 1989, and April 14, 2010, that are less than 76 feet wide and where at least 34 feet of uninterrupted curb space is maintained along the street in front of the zoning lot. For zoning lots with less than 40 feet of street frontage and existing on the effective date of establishing such districts on the zoning maps, curb cuts shall be prohibited.

R6 R7 R8

(d)In the districts indicated, only one curb cut, having a maximum width of 12 feet, including splays, shall be permitted on any street frontage of a zoning lot. However, where a curb cut accesses a group parking facility with 50 or more spaces, the maximum width of a curb cut shall be 22 feet, including splays, or alternatively, two curb cuts shall be permitted to access such group parking facility, each with a maximum width of 12 feet, including splays, and spaced at least 60 feet apart. For zoning lots subdivided after April 14, 2010, curb cuts shall only be permitted along the street frontage of such subdivided zoning lot where at least 34 feet of uninterrupted curb space is maintained, and shall comply with the width and spacing requirements of this paragraph. However, in R6B, R7B and R8B Districts, curb cuts shall be prohibited, except on zoning lots occupied by a building with a street wall at least 40 feet in width or, for zoning lots with multiple building segments, only where such curb cut is in front of a building segment with a street wall at least 40 feet in width. On such zoning lots, curb cuts shall be permitted only on the street frontage that is at least 40 feet wide.

R9 R10 R11 R12

(e)In the districts indicated, no curb cuts shall be permitted on any wide street frontage, and only one curb cut, having a maximum width of 22 feet, including splays, shall be permitted on any narrow street frontage.

(f)Modification of curb cut requirements:

R2X R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12

R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12

Common Questions

Our team

Meet the people you will work with

Free case review

Have a matter that touches § 25-631?

Free 15-minute case review with the attorney handling your matter. Same-day response during business hours across all five boroughs — OATH hearings, Housing Court, and real estate closings.

Or email us

[email protected]

An attorney reads every message.

  • Same-day response

    During business hours

  • Direct attorney access

    Same lawyer from intake to close

  • Flat-fee pricing

    On most OATH and closing matters