C1-9A Zoning District — New York City
C1-9A is a contextual, low-density Local Commercial District (NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-122) in New York City.
C1-9A 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 10 and the maximum commercial FAR is 2. 111 tax lots citywide carry C1-9A as their primary zoning designation.
Bulk rules for C1-9A
| Context | Residential FAR | Commercial FAR | Community facility FAR | Max lot coverage | Heights | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of right | 10 | 2 | 10 | 80% | — | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| As of right — narrow street | 10 | 2 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–125 ft · Max 185 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| As of right — wide street | 10 | 2 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 215 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 1, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing | 12 | 2 | 10 | 80% | Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — narrow street | 12 | 2 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — wide street | 12 | 2 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 1, § 23-431 |
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 C1-9A
- 401 1 Avenue104,861 sq ft lot · 8.85 built FAR · built 1970
- 222 East 34 Street35,396 sq ft lot · 15.3 built FAR · built 2002
- 205 3 Avenue26,312 sq ft lot · 13.64 built FAR · built 1964
- 340 East 23 Street16,819 sq ft lot · 11.37 built FAR · built 2007
- 195 3 Avenue19,182 sq ft lot · 13.04 built FAR · built 1973
- 267 3 Avenue21,350 sq ft lot · 12.54 built FAR · built 1962
- 166 3 Avenue17,296 sq ft lot · 13.65 built FAR · built 1963
- 225 East 34 Street15,800 sq ft lot · 13.05 built FAR · built 2007
- 347 East 33 Street13,770 sq ft lot · 15.51 built FAR · built 1998
- 230 3 Avenue13,800 sq ft lot · 12.32 built FAR · built 1956
- 333 East 34 Street19,532 sq ft lot · 9.9 built FAR · built 1961
- 385 1 Avenue9,875 sq ft lot · 11.6 built FAR · built 2002
C1-9A — quick questions
- What is the maximum residential FAR in C1-9A?
- 10, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22. 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 C1-9A?
- 2, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C1-9A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22. Site-specific overlays, special districts, and waterfront rules can modify it — run a full lookup for a specific lot.
- Is C1-9A a contextual district?
- Yes. C1-9A 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 C1-9A 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.