NYC Zoning Handbook:
Residential Districts: R7A

R7A districts provide greater lot coverage and lower height and setback regulations than R7 districts. Typical buildings are bulky, six- to eight-story apartment houses that are compatible with existing buildings found in older neighborhoods. R7A districts are mapped along Woodhaven Boulevard and sections of Rockaway Park in Queens.

The FAR in R7A districts is 4.0. The street wall of a building must be located within a mandated front wall setback area of eight feet on a wide street or 15 feet on a narrow street. The maximum building height is 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 R7A districts.

• Schematic Illustration (7-story R7A Quality Housing building)

• Typical R7A Development (photo)

Basic Data

R7A: General residence district

Maximum FAR: 4.0

Maximum lot coverage:

Corner lot: 80%

Interior or through-lot: 65%

Maximum front wall setback:

Wide street: 8 feet

Narrow street. 15 feet

Minimum lot area per DU: 169 square feet

Maximum DUs per acre: 258

Required parking: 50% of dwelling units

Quality Housing Program: Mandatory