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What is NYC ZR § 124-21?

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This section establishes floor area ratio (FAR) regulations for zoning lots based on their size and location, specifying different maximum FARs for residential, commercial, and total uses. The statute is enforced by the Department of Buildings (DOB) and applies to building owners and property operators managing zoning lots in New York City.

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§ 124-21 Floor Area Regulations

ZR § 124-21

Zoning lots containing less than 200,000 square feet of lot area shall not exceed a floor area ratio of 2.0. However, for qualifying affordable housing or qualifying senior housing, the maximum residential floor area ratio shall be 2.4.

Zoning lots containing at least 200,000 square feet of lot area shall have a maximum floor area ratio as follows:

Within Area A, as shown on Map 1 in the Appendix of this Chapter: Zoning lots of at least 28 acres of lot area shall have a maximum commercial floor area ratio of 2.0 and a maximum total floor area ratio of 4.6. For zoning lots less than 28 acres: north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.4. south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 5.0.

Zoning lots of at least 28 acres of lot area shall have a maximum commercial floor area ratio of 2.0 and a maximum total floor area ratio of 4.6.

For zoning lots less than 28 acres: north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.4. south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 5.0.

north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.4.

south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 5.0.

Within Area B, as shown on Map 1: Zoning lots of at least 33 acres of lot area shall have a maximum commercial floor area ratio of 2.0 and a maximum total floor area ratio of 2.25. For zoning lots less than 33 acres: north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 2.0. south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, and north and west of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.0. south and east of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 4.0.

Zoning lots of at least 33 acres of lot area shall have a maximum commercial floor area ratio of 2.0 and a maximum total floor area ratio of 2.25.

For zoning lots less than 33 acres: north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 2.0. south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, and north and west of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.0. south and east of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 4.0.

north of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 2.0.

south of the centerline of the present or former 34th Avenue, and north and west of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 3.0.

south and east of the centerline of the present or former Willets Point Boulevard, the maximum commercial floor area ratio shall be 2.0 and the maximum total floor area ratio shall be 4.0.

Within Areas A and B, the maximum residential floor area ratio for qualifying affordable housing or qualifying senior housing shall be a floor area ratio equal to 120 percent of the maximum total floor area ratios established in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section.

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