NYC Zoning Handbook:
Residential Districts: R5 Infill

R5 infill provisions are similar to R4 infill provisions but allow greater bulk and density. R5 infill housing requirements are designed to stimulate low-rise, multifamily construction in R5 districts characterized by attached homes and small multiple dwellings. An increase in FAR to 1.65 and higher density regulations permit three-story developments with greater bulk and more dwelling units than in R5 districts. To ensure compatibility with existing neighborhood scale, the maximum street wall height is 30 feet, above which the building envelope slopes at a 20 degree angle to a maximum roof height of 33 feet. The maximum permitted size for any zoning lot is 1.5 acres. Infill housing can be built only on blocks that are at least 50 percent developed. Buildings must be set back 18 feet to prevent cars parked in front yard driveways from protruding onto sidewalks. If parking is grouped, space must be provided for at least 66 percent of the dwelling units.

The infill regulations are not applicable to lots occupied by single- or two-family detached or semi-detached houses on residential blockfronts where such houses predominate.

• Schematic Illustration (3-story infill building)

• Typical R5 Infill Development (photo)

Basic Data

R5 INFILL: All housing types

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: 1.65

Maximum lot coverage: 55%

Minimum lot area per DU: 545 feet

Maximum DUs per acre: 80

Front yard: 18 feet minimum

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: 33 feet;

Maximum street wall height 30 feet

Maximum street wall length: 185 feet

Required parking: One space per dwelling unit or 66% of dwelling units if grouped