C1-8A Zoning District — New York City
C1-8A is a contextual, low-density Local Commercial District (NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-122) in New York City.
C1-8A at a glance
It allows commercial uses, and generally also housing under the rules of a residential-equivalent district. As of right, the maximum residential FAR is 7.52 and the maximum commercial FAR is 2. 191 tax lots citywide carry C1-8A as their primary zoning designation.
Bulk rules for C1-8A
| Context | Residential FAR | Commercial FAR | Community facility FAR | Heights | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of right | 7.52 | 2 | 7.5 | Base 60–95 ft · Max 135 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432, § 33-122 (via § 11-25 from C1-8) |
Values from the NYC Zoning Resolution, verified 2026-10-06; site-specific overlays, special districts, and waterfront rules can modify them — run a full lookup for a specific lot.
About commercial districts
Commercial districts allow retail, office, and service uses, and most also allow housing under the rules of a residential-equivalent district. Commercial bulk is governed by § 33- of the NYC Zoning Resolution.
Contextual districts pair their floor-area ceilings with prescribed base and maximum building heights so new buildings mirror existing neighborhood form; non-contextual districts govern the envelope through more general height and setback rules, such as sky exposure planes. Commercial districts also allow residences under the rules of a residential-equivalent district, while manufacturing districts generally exclude new residences. Overlays and special purpose districts can modify any of this on a specific lot.
Example lots zoned C1-8A
- 240 East 27 Street24,687 sq ft lot · 14.11 built FAR · built 1977
- 101 West 81 Street27,364 sq ft lot · 6.67 built FAR · built 1891
- 441 2 Avenue14,260 sq ft lot · 13.24 built FAR · built 1964
- 247 East 28 Street13,915 sq ft lot · 7.81 built FAR · built 1978
- 251 East 32 Street12,344 sq ft lot · 14.18 built FAR · built 1964
- 104 West 70 Street10,042 sq ft lot · 7.31 built FAR · built 1903
- 421 2 Avenue9,636 sq ft lot · 11.69 built FAR · built 1963
- 250 East 30 Street5,750 sq ft lot · 11.68 built FAR · built 2001
- 321 Columbus Avenue11,443 sq ft lot · 9.77 built FAR · built 1898
- 306 Columbus Avenue12,767 sq ft lot · 6.43 built FAR · built 1892
- 2nd Avenue5,561 sq ft lot · 12.22 built FAR · built 2021
- 481 2 Avenue14,813 sq ft lot · 6.03 built FAR · built 1965
C1-8A — quick questions
- What is the maximum residential FAR in C1-8A?
- 7.52, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432, § 33-122 (via § 11-25 from C1-8). Site-specific overlays, special districts, and waterfront rules can modify it — run a full lookup for a specific lot.
- What is the maximum commercial FAR in C1-8A?
- 2, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432, § 33-122 (via § 11-25 from C1-8). Site-specific overlays, special districts, and waterfront rules can modify it — run a full lookup for a specific lot.
- Is C1-8A a contextual district?
- Yes. C1-8A is a contextual district — its bulk rules pair floor-area ceilings with prescribed base and maximum building heights intended to mirror existing neighborhood form.
Keep learning
What do the C1-8A rules mean for a specific lot?
PearlAudit resolves the governing zoning for any NYC tax lot — district, overlays, special districts — and cites the Zoning Resolution section behind every rule claim.
District data: NYC municipal records (Department of City Planning) and the NYC Zoning Resolution. See our sources and methodology. Parcel data as of 2026-10-20.