NYC Zoning Lots

When you’re dealing with NYC zoning, one of the first questions that matters is surprisingly simple:

“What type of lot is this?”

Because in New York City, the shape and position of your lot on the block can change what the zoning rules require—especially for things like yards, setbacks, frontage, entrances, and where your “rear yard” even is.

In general, NYC zoning commonly refers to three main lot types:

• Corner Lot

• Interior Lot

• Through Lot

Let’s walk through them in plain English (with a little NYC reality), so you can quickly understand what you’re looking at and why it matters.

1) Corner Lot (NYC Zoning Corner Lot)

A corner lot is exactly what it sounds like: a lot located at the corner of a city block, where the property is bounded by two streets that meet at an intersection.

How to spot a corner lot

• It has two street frontages

• The building “faces” one street, but it also has exposure to the second street

• It’s often more visible, more valuable, and more complicated from a zoning standpoint

Why corner lots are different

In NYC zoning, corner lots usually don’t behave like a typical lot where you have a clear “front” and a clear “rear.” Because you have two street fronts, zoning often treats both street sides seriously.

That affects things like:

• which sides count as front yard

• where side yards apply

• how setbacks and street walls might be measured

• sometimes even where curb cuts, parking access, or entrances are allowed

Important note: In everyday conversation people say “corner lots don’t have rear yards,” but in practice it depends on zoning district rules and how the DOB/zoning examiner defines your yards for that specific site. Corner lots often trigger more detailed analysis, especially if the building wraps the corner or has multiple entrances.

2) Interior Lot (NYC Zoning Interior Lot)

An interior lot is the most common type in NYC. It’s the lot that sits between other lots on the same block, with one side facing a street.

How to spot an interior lot

• It has one street frontage

• It’s not at the corner

• It does not go from one street to another

• The other sides are usually adjacent to neighboring lots

Why interior lots are “simpler.”

Interior lots have a more predictable zoning setup:

• One clear front lot line (street side)

• One clear rear lot line (back side)

• Side lot lines shared with neighbors

Because of that, rules for:

• rear yards

• minimum lot width

• side yard requirements

• rear yard equivalent rules (in certain districts)
  are usually more straightforward than corner or through lots.

In plain language: if you’re trying to figure out setbacks and yards quickly, interior lots are usually the easiest to analyze.

3) Through Lot (NYC Zoning Through Lot)

A through lot is the lot that extends from one street to another street.

It’s not a corner lot. It’s not a standard interior lot. It’s basically a property that connects two opposite sides of the block, like a tunnel from street to street.

How to spot a thorough lot

• It has street frontage on two streets

• The streets are usually parallel

• It spans the entire depth of the block

• It’s not located at the corner

Why, through lots can be tricky

Through lots often create zoning questions like:

• Which side is the “front”?

• Do you have two front yards?

• Where is the “rear yard” if both ends face streets?

• How do yard and setback rules apply when the lot has two street walls?

Through lots often need more careful interpretation because NYC zoning is built around the concept of “front vs rear”—and a through lot can blur that line.

This is one reason why, through lots sometimes bring up:

• zoning objections

• DOB examiner questions

• and in more complex cases, requests for determinations (like ZRD1)

Why NYC Lot Types Matter (Real Talk)

Knowing whether your property is a corner, interior, or through lot can affect:

• required yard locations and sizes

• street wall and setback rules

• How “front” is determined

• where entrances, windows, and egresses may go

• How your building envelope is interpreted in zoning review

If you’re renovating, enlarging, or filing with DOB, lot type is one of those “small” details that can cause big delays if it’s misunderstood early.

FAQs: NYC Zoning Lot Types

What are the main NYC zoning lot types?

The most common NYC zoning lot types are corner lots, interior lots, and through lots. Each type affects how yards and setbacks are interpreted.

How do I know if my property is a corner lot?

If your lot sits at the intersection of two streets and has two street frontages, it’s typically a corner lot.

What is considered a through lot in NYC zoning?

A through lot extends from one street to another, giving you frontage on two streets, but it’s not located at the corner.

Why does lot type matter for DOB filings?

Because lot type influences yard requirements, setbacks, and building envelope rules. If the lot type is misunderstood, DOB plan examiners may raise zoning objections.