Single family zoning options - courtesy of New York City.

It’s pretty interesting to take a look at some of the different housing options for residential districts within New York City.  

And it’s equally interesting to see the justification behind these options - the need to preserve the character of the city’s traditional low-rise neighborhoods. 

Since 1989, R3, R4 and R5 districts with an A, B, D, X or 1 suffix have been created or revised to prevent the out-of-scale development that can blur distinctions between residence districts and alter the character of the city’s traditional low-rise neighborhoods. The regulations for these new and revised districts aim to preserve neighborhood character by reaffirming the bulk distinctions, building configurations and narrow lot sizes of many residential neighborhoods.

Detached residential building 

Attached residential building 

Semi-detached residential buildings 

Zero-lot line residential buildings.