NYC Zoning Handbook:
Commercial Districts: C4
C4 districts are major commercial centers located outside of
the central business districts. They allow department stores,
theaters and other commercial uses that serve a larger area.
They are not mapped as an overlay. C4 districts are not
permitted to include home maintenance and repair services
(Use Group 7) which would interrupt the desired continuous
retail frontage. C4 districts are usually found in regional
centers like Rego Park or Fordham Road.
There are a number of contextual C4 districts in which
shorter, higher coverage buildings are encouraged. The
commercial and residential bulk and density regulations in
these districts differ somewhat from corresponding non-
contextual districts. (See Table 7B in Appendix E.)
C4-2F is not a contextual district It contains a special
mapping restriction and allows development only by special
permit of the City Planning Commission. This district is
currently mapped in Rego Park.
Parking requirements vary with district and use but high
density C4-5 to C4-7 districts are usually exempt from
parking requirements for commercial uses.
C4: General commercial districts
Note: Commercial parking requirements vary with use and district.
Shopping centers and offices in outlying areas
| C4-1 | Commercial FAR: 1.0
Residential FAR: 1.25
(R5 equivalent) |
Shopping centers and offices in more densely built areas
| C4-2 | Commercial FAR: 3.4 |
| C4-3 | Residential FAR: 0.78 to 2.43*
(R6 equivalent) |
| C4-2A | CommercialFAR: 3.0 |
| C4-3A | Residential FAR: 3.0
(R6A equivalent) |
| C4-4 | Commercial FAR: 3.4 |
| C4-5 | Residential FAR: 0.87 to 3.44**
(R7 equivalent) |
| C4-4A | Commercial FAR: 4.0 |
| C4-SA | Residential FAR: 4.0
(R7A equivalent) |
| C4-5X | Commercial FAR: 4.0
Residential FAR: 5.0
(R7X equivalent) |
Shopping centers and offices in densely built areas
| C4-6 | Commercial FAR: 3.4
Residential FAR: 10.0
(to 12.0 with bonus)
(R10 equivalent) |
| C4-6A | Commercial FAR: 3.4
Residential FAR: 10.0
(to 12.0 with lower-income housing)
(R10A equivalent) |
Shopping centers and high bulk offices in densely built
central areas with no parking requirements
| C4-7 | Commercial FAR: 10.0
(to 12.0 with bonus)
Residential FAR: 10.0
(to 12.0 with bonus)
(R10 equivalent)
Commercial uses are exempt from parking requirements |
| C4-7A | Commercial FAR: 10.0
Residential FAR: 10.0
(to 12.0 with lower-income housing)
(R10A equivalent)
Commercial uses are exempt from parking requirements |
* Residential FAR of 3.0 permitted under Quality Housing on
wide streets outside the Manhattan Core.
** Residential FAR of 4.0 permitted under Quality Housing on
wide streets outside the Manhattan Core.
