Zoning: Districts Guide - Commercial Districts - C5 - DCP

Department of City Planning


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About Zoning Districts
Residence Districts
Commercial Districts
Manufacturing Districts
Special Purpose Districts
Rules for Special Areas

About Zoning Districts

Residence Districts

Commercial Districts

Manufacturing Districts

Special Purpose Districts

Rules for Special Areas


Commercial Districts: C5

Overview

C1 & C2

C1 & C2 Overlays

C3 & C3A

C4

C5

C6

C7

C8

East 57th Street, Manhattan

C5 is a central commercial district with continuous retail frontage intended for offices and retail establishments that serve the entire metropolitan region. Famous shopping streets, such as Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and East 57th Street are C5 districts. Parts of Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City are also within C5 districts.

Department stores, large office buildings, and mixed buildings with residential space above office or commercial floors, are typical C5 uses. Use Groups 5 (hotels), 6, 9 and 10 (retail shops and business services) and 11 (custom manufacturing) are permitted in C5 districts. Home maintenance services, auto rental establishments and other uses not in character with the district, including illuminated signs, are not permitted.

The maximum commercial floor area ratio (FAR) ranges from 4.0 to 15.0, and the maximum residential FAR is 10.0. Floor area may be increased by a bonus for a public plaza or Inclusionary Housing.

In the two contextual C5 districts—C5-1A and C5-2A—residential bulk and density are governed by R10A regulations. In non-contextual C5-2 through C5-5 districts, a building occupied by commercial, residential and/or community facility uses may be configured as a tower. A residential tower is also allowed in C5-1 districts.

All commercial uses in C5 districts are exempt from off-street parking requirements because public transportation is easily accessible.

Disclaimer
The Zoning Reference provides only general zoning information and is not meant to serve as a substitute for the actual regulations which are to be found in the Zoning Resolution.

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