C5-1A Zoning District — New York City
C5-1A is a contextual, high-density General Central Commercial District (NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-122) in New York City.
C5-1A 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 4. 11 tax lots citywide carry C5-1A as their primary zoning designation.
Bulk rules for C5-1A
| Context | Residential FAR | Commercial FAR | Community facility FAR | Max lot coverage | Heights | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of right | 10 | 4 | 10 | 80% | — | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| As of right — narrow street | 10 | 4 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–125 ft · Max 185 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| As of right — wide street | 10 | 4 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 215 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 1, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing | 12 | 4 | 10 | 80% | Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — narrow street | 12 | 4 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — wide street | 12 | 4 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→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 C5-1A
- 150 East 86 Street30,933 sq ft lot · 12.87 built FAR · built 2007
- 120 East 87 Street35,150 sq ft lot · 9.64 built FAR · built 1981
- 1289 Lexington Avenue13,983 sq ft lot · 13.16 built FAR · built 2018
- 111 East 85 Street13,690 sq ft lot · 15.44 built FAR · built 1971
- 126a East 86th Street5,221 sq ft lot · 10.67 built FAR · built 2022
- 130 East 86 Street3,550 sq ft lot · 4.59 built FAR · built 1920
- 131 East 85 Street3,750 sq ft lot · 7.45 built FAR · built 1985
- 120 East 86 Street5,221 sq ft lot · 4.96 built FAR · built 1920
- 150 East 87 Street3,550 sq ft lot · 4.29 built FAR · built 1930
- 128 East 86 Street3,269 sq ft lot · 3.88 built FAR · built 1915
- 123 East 86 Street3,021 sq ft lot · 3.57 built FAR · built 1927
C5-1A — quick questions
- What is the maximum residential FAR in C5-1A?
- 10, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→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 C5-1A?
- 4, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-1A→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 C5-1A a contextual district?
- Yes. C5-1A 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 C5-1A 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.