NYC Zoning Handbook:
Residential Districts: R8A
R8A districts differ from R8 districts primarily in greater
lot coverage, and modified height and setback regulations
that are designed to be compatible with existing older
neighborhoods. Typical buildings are bulky 11-story,
apartment houses. A commercial equivalent of R8A districts is
mapped along the midblocks west of Union Square in Manhattan.
The FAR in R8A districts is 6.02. On wide streets, the first
two stories of the front wall of a new building must abut the
street line and occupy the full width of the lot. On narrow
streets, the front wall of a new building must not be farther
from the street than the front wall of an adjacent building.
The maximum building height and setbacks are determined by
the building envelope which may not be penetrated by the
building. The building envelope is controlled by the
intersection of front and rear sky exposure planes that rise
according to a specific ratio. The Quality Housing Program is
mandatory in R8A districts.
Basic Data
R8A: General residence district
- Maximum FAR: 6.02
- Maximum lot coverage:
- Corner lot: 80%
- Interior or through-lot 70%
- Maximum street wall height: 85 feet
- Minimum lot area per DU: 123 square feet
- Maximum DUs per acre: 354
- Required parking: 40% of dwelling units
- Quality Housing Program: Mandatory