Forum Archive: Zoning

I hate reading a post and having to infer from the context what neighborhood you’re talking about. Is it Clinton Hill? Cobble Hill? Crown Heights? Can we come to a consensus on this, please.

How can we find out the zoning issues for a commercial property – specifically, how much they could build on top of existing commercial one-story structure? This commercial property is right next to a residential property we are considering, so question is: could the commercial property one day build a huge structure next to the house?

We are looking to buy a semi-attached house which we’d like to dormer and otherwise renovate. How can we learn if this is even permitted on the block? Also, since it’s semi-attached, what would our neighbors have to do with it? (Do we need their approval?) Any insight would be appreciated, we are totally clueless.

Thank you,
Total Nube

It was zoned for a single family. Now there is a sign for condos.
I am try to contact the Dept of Bldgs zoning again, but having trouble getting thru.
Shoudl I go to Reed St.?
Thanks!

Here’s one for all the planners out there, and the architects who fancy themselves planners: I’m looking at a property which had a permit approved prior to a downzoning. Seller is insisting that although no work has taken place, the permit is vested under old zoning. I believe it needs a BSA application.

Who is right?

Our 3 family townhouse is in an R6B zone. Could I use one or 2 families for a day care facility? And if so, does anyone know if the FAR of 2 applies to this community facility use as well?

There’s a building near me that I realzied excceeds FAR for the zoning on our block. Can DOB or another city agency force the owner to reduce the size of the building even if the building has been in that state for years or even decades? I figure there must be some type of grandfathering or statute of limitations, but didn’t see anything on the Dep’t of City Planning site.

Why is that for any address in any neighborhood in Brooklyn it is simply Brooklyn, NY ZIP.. While in Queens it is usually Neighborhood, NY ZIP .. (i.e. Long Island City, NY.. Astoria, NY etc etc)

Was just wondering!

I know that I’ve seen this topic pop up before on Brownstoner, but cannot find the reference. Hoping someone can help, though ultimately I know a real estate lawyer would have the scoop. Here is my question:is it true that if the commercial space of a mixed-use building in a commercial overlay zone (C1 or C2) is used as residential/not commercially for two years it reverts to fully residential status? Would such a building then be able to be financed using a traditional home mortgage as opposed to a mixed-use mortgage? If anyone has had experience with this scenario, I would love to hear about it. Thanks!