C5-2A Zoning District — New York City
C5-2A is a contextual, high-density General Central Commercial District (NYC Zoning Resolution § 11-122) in New York City.
C5-2A 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 10. 62 tax lots citywide carry C5-2A as their primary zoning designation.
Bulk rules for C5-2A
| Context | Residential FAR | Commercial FAR | Community facility FAR | Max lot coverage | Heights | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of right | 10 | 10 | 10 | 80% | — | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| As of right — narrow street | 10 | 10 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–125 ft · Max 185 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| As of right — wide street | 10 | 10 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 215 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 1, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing | 12 | 10 | 10 | 80% | Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — narrow street | 12 | 10 | 10 | 80% | Base 60–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→R10A); § 33-122 (comm FAR); § 33-123 (CF FAR); § 23-22, § 23-432 footnote 2, § 23-431 |
| Qualifying affordable housing — wide street | 12 | 10 | 10 | 80% | Base 125–155 ft · Max 235 ft | NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→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 C5-2A
- 210 Joralemon Street62,930 sq ft lot · 8.76 built FAR · built 1926
- 180 Montague Street10,000 sq ft lot · 19.95 built FAR · built 1999
- 65 Court Street17,769 sq ft lot · 17.34 built FAR · built 1963
- 26 Court Street13,750 sq ft lot · 21.32 built FAR · built 1926
- 16 Court Street12,500 sq ft lot · 23.24 built FAR · built 1927
- 195 Montague Street25,000 sq ft lot · 8.84 built FAR · built 1960
- 146 Pierrepont Street12,483 sq ft lot · 13.28 built FAR · built 2016
- 77 Livingston Street21,841 sq ft lot · 10.49 built FAR · built 1964
- 44 Court Street13,071 sq ft lot · 10.66 built FAR · built 1901
- 200 Montague Street10,000 sq ft lot · 12.35 built FAR · built 2021
- 75 Livingston Street8,450 sq ft lot · 21.3 built FAR · built 1928
- 75 Clinton Street10,000 sq ft lot · 8.83 built FAR · built 1910
C5-2A — quick questions
- What is the maximum residential FAR in C5-2A?
- 10, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→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 C5-2A?
- 10, as of right, per NYC Zoning Resolution § 34-112 (C5-2A→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 C5-2A a contextual district?
- Yes. C5-2A 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 C5-2A 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.