C4-4A Zoning District — New York City
C4-4A is a contextual, high-density General Commercial District (NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-122) in New York City.
C4-4A 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 4 and the maximum commercial FAR is 4. 1,096 tax lots citywide carry C4-4A as their primary zoning designation.
Bulk rules for C4-4A
| Context | Residential FAR | Commercial FAR | Community facility FAR | Heights | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of right | 4 | 4 | 4 | Base 40–75 ft · Max 85 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-122, § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432 |
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 C4-4A
- 233 West 125 Street19,984 sq ft lot · 16.94 built FAR · built 2017
- 180 Orchard Street15,611 sq ft lot · 12.77 built FAR · built 2008
- 38 Sixth Avenue22,441 sq ft lot · 12.06 built FAR · built 2016
- 207 East Houston Street26,135 sq ft lot · 8.02 built FAR · built 2006
- 597 Grand Street27,500 sq ft lot · 7.63 built FAR · built 2023
- 180 Ludlow Street6,806 sq ft lot · 12.11 built FAR · built 2007
- 5 West 125 Street25,735 sq ft lot · 4.9 built FAR · built 2014
- 700 Pacific Street85,130 sq ft lot · 3.16 built FAR · built 2002
- 190 Allen Street8,074 sq ft lot · 13.44 built FAR · built 2005
- 224 Eldridge Street52,294 sq ft lot · 2.6 built FAR · built 1970
- 1630 East 15 Street48,000 sq ft lot · 4.79 built FAR · built 2006
- 107-24 71 Road27,425 sq ft lot · 5.22 built FAR · built 2005
C4-4A — quick questions
- What is the maximum residential FAR in C4-4A?
- 4, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-122, § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432. 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 C4-4A?
- 4, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 33-122, § 33-123, § 33-25, § 33-26, § 34-112, § 23-43, § 23-431, § 23-432. Site-specific overlays, special districts, and waterfront rules can modify it — run a full lookup for a specific lot.
- Is C4-4A a contextual district?
- Yes. C4-4A 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 C4-4A 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.