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What is NYC ZR § 62-651?

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This section outlines the requirements for guardrails, bollards, fences, walls, and gates in waterfront public access areas. It specifies dimensions, placement, and operational standards to ensure safety and accessibility. Applies to property owners managing waterfront properties and public access areas.

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

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§ 62-651 Guardrails, gates and other protective barriers

ZR § 62-651

(a)GuardrailsFor the purposes of this paragraph, (a), the term "guardrail" shall refer only to fencing or similar structures provided along a bulkhead, stabilized shore or the water edges of a pier or platform.When a guardrail is provided, it shall have a maximum height of 42 inches measured from the adjoining grade level, and shall be at least 70 percent open. Guardrails may be mounted on a solid curb not higher than six inches.A guardrail may be substituted for a wall, pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this Section.

(b)Bollards

(1)Bollards shall be limited to the following locations:

(i)along the bulkhead, stabilized shore or the water edges of a pier or platform;

(ii)along a zoning lot line adjacent to, and limiting access from an upland street; and

(iii)along the boundaries of a roadway within an upland connection.

(2)Bollards shall not exceed 30 inches in height and shall be between six and 15 inches in width. The top of bollards shall not consist of any sharp edges. The minimum clearance between two bollards shall be five feet.

(c)Fences and walls

(iv)within a visual corridor; and

(v)along any grade level change of 30 inches or greater.

(3)Walls shall not exceed a height of 21 inches, and may be fully opaque.

(4)Chain link fencing or barbed or razor wire shall not be permitted.

(d)GatesGates attached to fences and walls that limit physical access to waterfront public access areas from streets, public parks or other public ways, or from adjacent waterfront public access areas on adjoining zoning lots, shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d). Such gates shall be permitted only at the boundaries of waterfront public access areas and such adjacent publicly accessible areas, except that in Type 1 upland connections gates may be located at the seaward boundary of the entry area. Gates shall not intrude into any planting area. Gates may be closed only pursuant to Section 62-71 (Operational Requirements).The maximum height of a gate shall be four feet above the adjoining grade level. Gates shall be no more than 30 percent opaque.When opened for access, 70 percent of the total width, in aggregate, of the waterfront public access area shall be free of obstructions associated with the gate, and there shall be a minimum clear distance of at least 16 feet between any two obstructions of the gate.In addition, in its open position, the gate and its support structures shall not obstruct:

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