Manhattan uses Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and sky exposure planes from the NYC Zoning Resolution rather than traditional yard setbacks used in most US suburbs.
New York County does not use traditional front, side, and rear yard setback distances common in suburban zoning. Instead, the NYC Zoning Resolution regulates building bulk through Floor Area Ratio (FAR), sky exposure planes, street walls, and setback requirements that trigger above a specified base height. For most Manhattan residential and commercial districts, buildings may rise to a street wall height, then must set back from the street line to fit within a sky exposure plane measured from the opposite street line. Alternative bulk regulations such as the tower-on-a-base and tower coverage rules apply in high-density districts. Side and rear yards are required in limited circumstances, primarily for lower-density R3 through R5 districts (rare in Manhattan) and for rear yard equivalents. Always verify district-specific rules under the Zoning Resolution and consult NYC Department of City Planning.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how New York County's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
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