An example of a pop-up window detailing the legislative history of a section of the Zoning Resolution. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The update includes legislative history dating from 1961. On June 19, 2019, the Department of City Planning announced an update to the online Zoning Resolution that provides the code’s legislative history. Earlier this year, DCP launched the digital Zoning Resolution online platform, which replaced the paper edition. The digital version provides users with the ability to use keyword searches, one-click sharing, navigation, and the option to subscribe for updates. This legislative history update provides information on all substantive changes from when DCP adopted the Zoning Resolution in 1961 to the present day. (more…)

NYC Department of City Planning

The City’s zoning laws are now instantly accessible to New Yorkers. On February 6, 2019, Department of City Planning Director Marisa Lago announced the release of the City’s digital Zoning Resolution online platform. The online platform will serve as a green replacement for the 1,570-page physical copy of the Resolution, which will no longer be printed to save money, increase government transparency, and fight climate change. It will also be a more interactive replacement for the static PDFs currently on the City Planning website. The platform will make the City’s Zoning Resolution more accessible for New Yorkers.

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Image credit: New York City Bar Association

A centennial symposium will celebrate the Nation’s first comprehensive zoning resolution: Leaders will look to past and future impact of zoning on the shaping of better cities. The Department of City Planning, in partnership with the New York City Bar Association, announced an all-day symposium titled Zoning at 100: A Symposium for the Future to take place on September 15, 2016. The symposium marks the 100th anniversary of the City’s Zoning Resolution which, when established in 1916, was the Nation’s first comprehensive regulation controlling land use and development.

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Example of an enlargement pursuant to a BSA-approved special permit in Brooklyn Community District 10 (original residence shown on the left). Click Photo to enlarge. Image credit: Brooklyn Community Board 10

Special Permit was meant to allow growing families to expand their familial residences, but Brooklyn Community Board 10 argues that its usage has been abused. On June 20, 2016, a proposal was presented to the City Planning Commission to amend the New York City zoning text relating to the Board of Standards and Appeals Special Permit provisions under Section 73-622, which provides for the enlargement of one- and two-family detached and semi-detached residences. Currently, Section 73-622 only applies to four Community Districts, and it permits additions to the perimeter wall height, and extensions into the requisite rear yards and side yards of the residences located within those Community Districts.

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Zoning Therapy

For 34 years the City has required a special permit for physical culture or health establishments. This requirement burdens owners and operators of health clubs, gyms, spas and studios, even where such uses would otherwise be permitted as-of-right. With the elimination of the now-unlawful adult physical culture establishments, the purpose and usefulness of the remaining regulations place an unnecessary burden on legitimate small businesses and should be modified or eliminated entirely.

During the crime-ridden 1970s, regarded by some as the City’s nadir, the City Planning Commission enacted amendments to the Zoning Resolution distinguishing between “physical culture or health establishments” and “adult physical culture or health establishments.” As explained at the Commission’s public hearing, “zoning has proved to be the most effective tool in closing down houses of prostitution masquerading as massage parlors or physical culture establishments.” The Commission’s action, which followed a one year moratorium on physical culture or health establishments within the City, was approved by the Board of Estimate in early 1979.

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