finding building height restrictions?
Where can I find out height restrictions for new buildings by neighborhood? There is a vacant lot near a building we are looking and and we want to know what could be built there. Also, how do you translate building height FEET into FLOORS? Is it 10′ ft per floor or more? THANKS.
Where can I find out height restrictions for new buildings by neighborhood? There is a vacant lot near a building we are looking and and we want to know what could be built there.
Also, how do you translate building height FEET into FLOORS? Is it 10′ ft per floor or more?
THANKS.
That sounds pretty big, even the 85′ front what, or in zoning terms “base height”. If 85′ is the max base height, then you’re in R7 or higher. Those rules can get very complex, especially if you’re trying to get to the 435′.
Your best bet would be to contact an architect or a good expediter to perform a zoning analysis. It’s a relatively quick thing to do and will tell you exactly what you can build without getting into the actual design of the building.
Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP
Urban Pioneering Architecture
Thank you – your comment was really helpful. I have gone on to the city planning site and found the zone which says the lot is in a commercial zone.
This is in downtown Brooklyn.
I read through the amendments and it looks like they say 85 feet but I think that is for the “front wall” – I called the Brooklyn planning office and they told me 435′ for the block I described. That seems crazy high! But, I guess we do live in a city.
Hi Welcome to the hood! We own our home in BR but when we lived in a coop in Park Slope we kept an operating fund and a reserve fund. The Reserve fund had enough money for an emergency expense like a pipe burst or boiler burst. Enough so we wouldn’t have to do an emergency assessment. I remember it being around 10G. The Operating Fund was about enough for about 3 months or so.
But I hear its different MO’s for different coops.
Good luck.
The department of city planning has all this info on their website.
First use the zoning maps to determine what zone the property.
Second, look up the bulk/height regulations in the zoning text.
The information’s all in there, but it can be pretty intimidating if you’re not familiar w/ the zoning regs.
If the property is divided by a lot boundary, or has an overlay, be careful, because it those situations can be complicated.
10′ floor to floor height is reasonable as a rule of thumb.
Good luck