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What is NYC ZR § 125-33?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the requirements for street wall locations, including minimum and maximum base heights, setbacks, and building height restrictions. It specifies that street walls must extend to a minimum base height of 50 feet and details setbacks for buildings exceeding maximum base heights. Applies to building owners with properties along designated street frontages.

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

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§ 125-33 Required Street Walls

ZR § 125-33

Street wall locationThe street wall location provisions of paragraph (a) of Section 35-631 shall apply to all designated street frontages shown on Map 3 (Street Wall Locations) in Appendix A of this Chapter, except that at the intersection of certain street lines, such map designates areas where the street wall shall be chamfered, and where the street wall shall be located within 25 feet of the street line. The street walls shall extend up to the minimum base height specified in paragraph (b), as applicable, or the height of the building, whichever is less. For the purposes of applying the height and setback provisions, all streets shall be considered wide streets.Additionally, wherever a building fronts upon any public park, or any sidewalk widening, publicly accessible open area or private street provided in accordance with the design requirements of Sections 125-41 through 125-46, inclusive, the boundary of such public park, sidewalk widening, publicly accessible open area or private street shall be considered a wide street line.

Minimum base heightsAll street walls shall extend up to at least a minimum base height of 50 feet or the height of the building, whichever is less, except that a minimum base height of 40 feet shall be permitted in the locations specified on Map 4 (Minimum Base Heights of 40 Feet) in Appendix A of this Chapter.

Maximum base heightsThe maximum height of a street wall before setback shall be 70 feet, except in the locations specified on Map 5 (Maximum Base Heights Other Than 70 Feet) in Appendix A of this Chapter.

Required setbacks and maximum building heightsSetbacks are required for all portions of buildings that exceed the applicable maximum base height, except schools. All required setbacks shall be provided at a height not lower than the applicable minimum base height. A setback with a depth of at least 10 feet shall be provided from any street wall fronting on a wide street, and a setback with a depth of at least 15 feet shall be provided from any street wall fronting on a narrow street, except that the depth of such setbacks may include the depth of any permitted recesses in the street wall. For the purposes of this paragraph (c), the following shall be considered wide streets: Second Street between 54th Avenue and Borden Avenue 55th Avenue between Center Boulevard and Second Street Center Boulevard between 50th Avenue and 57th Avenue. Above the applicable maximum base height, the maximum height of a building or other structure shall be 125 feet, except where towers are permitted, pursuant to Section 125-34.

Second Street between 54th Avenue and Borden Avenue

55th Avenue between Center Boulevard and Second Street

Center Boulevard between 50th Avenue and 57th Avenue. Above the applicable maximum base height, the maximum height of a building or other structure shall be 125 feet, except where towers are permitted, pursuant to Section 125-34.

Above the applicable maximum base height, the maximum height of a building or other structure shall be 125 feet, except where towers are permitted, pursuant to Section 125-34.

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