How A 1961 Zoning Code Will Affect NYC’s Commercial Buildings

When you live or work in the big city, it’s nice to have at least a small outdoor space to get some fresh air and sun throughout the day. Unfortunately, the revival of a 1961 zoning code may prevent you from doing that in commercial buildings.

What It Is:

This zoning code, originally passed in 1961 to limit the spreading of outdoor flea markets, has been brought back by the Department of Buildings to limit the creation of commercial terraces.

What Constitutes as a Terrace:

To comply with the code, all commercial building space must be within an “enclosed” area— meaning one with walls and a permanent roof only interrupted by windows, entrances, and doors. Many developers claim that terraces are still part of an enclosed building, but the DOB has plans to restrict that interpretation.

Why It’s Been Revived:

As of now, the DOB hasn’t given a definitive answer as to why they’re more strictly enforcing the use of commercial terraces. There has been some release of information about the new interpretations of the law, but no word as to why the change is coming about now.

The Problems It May Cause:

Many building developers are now concerned that a lack of terrace space will make it harder for them to attract tenants, as this was often a big selling point for commercial buildings. Beyond that, plans that include terraces would have to be altered, which could hurt their competitive edge within the market.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see how the DOB decides to change and enforce the interpretation. For more NYC building news, follow follow AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

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