NYC Zoning Handbook:
Residential Districts: R5

R5 districts allow a variety of housing types as do R3-2 and R4 districts but with a higher density. The maximum FAR of 1.25 (the attic allowance does not apply) typically produces three-story rowhouses and small apartment buildings. R5 districts provide a transition between lower and higher density neighborhoods and are widely mapped in all boroughs except Manhattan. Typical R5 neighborhoods are sections of Astoria in Queens and East New York in Brooklyn. Most R5 districts are served directly by rapid transit.

To ensure compatibility with existing neighborhood scale, the maximum street wall height is 30 feet, above which it must be set back 15 feet. The maximum roof height is 40 feet. Front yards must be exactly 10 feet deep or a minimum of 18 feet in order to ensure that cars parked in front yard driveways do not protrude onto sidewalks. Height and setback requirements may be waived by authorization of the City Planning Commission. One parking space is required for each dwelling unit in single-, two- and three-family houses; in multiple dwellings, parking spaces are required for 85 percent of the apartments. R5 is the lowest density district in which a parking space is not required for each dwelling unit.

Basic Data

R5: General residence district
Minimum lot size:
Detached, single- or two-family: 3,800 square feet lot area; 40 foot lot width
Other: 1,700 square feet; 18 foot lot width
Maximum FAR: 1.25
Maximum lot coverage: 55%
Minimum lot area per DU: 605 square feet
Maximum DUs per acre: 72
Front yard: 18 feet minimum or 10 feet exactly
Side yards:
Detached (2 required): 13 feet total (minimum); 5 feet minimum
Semi-detached (1 required): 8 feet minimum
Other (2): 8 feet each (minimum) or 10% of building length
Maximum building height: 40 feet; street wall height 30 feet
Maximum street wall length: 185 feet
Required parking: One space per dwelling unit or 85% of dwelling units if grouped