General Definition "Curb level" is the mean level of the curb adjoining a zoning lot. On corner lots, curb level is the average of the mean levels of the adjoining curbs on intersecting streets, except that, for the purpose of regulating and determining the level of yards, or other open areas on corner lots, the curb level is the highest of the mean levels of the curbs on the intersecting streets. Where through lot regulations are applicable to any portion of a corner lot, or for any through lot, the height and setback regulations based upon curb level shall apply separately on each street on which such through lot portion or through lot fronts. On a through lot, for purposes of establishing the level of a rear yard equivalent, except when adjoining and extending along the full length of the street line, the curb level shall be the mean of the levels of the curbs on those portions of the streets on which such through lot fronts. Where on a through lot such #rear yard equivalent is adjoining and extending along the full length of the street line#, the height of the rear yard equivalent shall be the curb level of the adjoining street. Where through lot regulations and interior lot regulations are applicable to portions of a zoning lot, for purposes of establishing the level of the rear yard equivalent or rear yard, curb level shall be the mean of the levels of the curbs on that portion of each street on which such portions of the zoning lot front. For the purposes of determining a base plane, "curb level" is the mean level at that portion of the curb adjoining a zoning lot from which, when viewed directly from above, lines perpendicular to the curb may be drawn to a street wall. On corner lots, curb level is the average of the mean levels of such portions of the curbs on intersecting streets. On through lots, curb level is determined separately for each street frontage to a distance midway between such streets. Daylight Evaluation Chart (DEC) Applicable from 81-271, 81-272, 81-273, 81-274, 81-275, 81-276, 81-277 A graphic tool which permits objective measurements of portions of sky blocked by a building when it is viewed from a vantage point. There are three daylight evaluation charts for use with street widths of 60 feet, 75 to 80 feet and 100 feet and over, respectively. All buildings are drawn on the appropriate daylight evaluation chart to evaluate their compliance with the regulations of Section 81-27 (Alternate Height and Setback Regulations—Daylight Evaluation). These three daylight evaluation charts are in Appendix B of this Chapter. A fourth chart in Appendix B is available for use with qualifying sites in the East Midtown Subdistrict, as defined in Section 81-613, with frontage along Park Avenue.
ZR GLOSSARY
curb level
§12-10 Definitions
curb level
curb level is a defined term in the New York City Zoning Resolution glossary (§12-10). It is referenced in 100 ZR sections. Last amended October 25, 1993.
Quick Facts
- Definition source
- §12-10
- Sections using term
- 100
- Last amended
- October 25, 1993
What does “curb level” mean?
Where is “curb level” referenced?
100 sections reference this term. Showing first 100.
- §101-121 — Permitted projection
- §101-41 — Special Street Wall Location Regulations
- §101-534 — Special permit for public parking garages
- §101-612 — Sign band
- §101-618 — Termination of certain non-conforming signs
- §101-702 — Definitions specific to the Atlantic Avenue Subdistrict
- §101-715 — Location of signs
- §101-744 — Special permit for public parking garages or public parking lots
- §104-331 — Type 1 street wall location
- §104-334 — Type 4 street wall location
- §106-33 — Special Yard Regulations
- §109-113 — Streetscape Provisions
- §109-212 — Sign Regulations
- §109-313 — Streetscape provisions
- §117-224 — Special floor area provisions for off-street parking
- §117-324 — Special floor area provisions for off-street parking
- §117-422 — Sign regulations
- §117-423 — Sidewalk widening
- §117-513 — Special sign regulations
- §117-553 — Mandatory sidewalk widening design requirements
- §117-56 — Special Permit for Bulk Modifications on Blocks 86/72 and 403
- §117-631 — Floor area ratio modifications
- §118-22 — Street Wall Regulations
- §118-23 — Height and Setback Regulations
- §125-51 — General Regulations
- §126-141 — Special sign regulations in M2-1 Districts
- §126-233 — Special provisions along district boundaries
- §13-45 — Special Permits for Additional Parking Spaces
- §139-221 — Permitted obstructions in required yards
- §139-53 — Special Visual Corridor Provisions
- §141-21 — Special Yard Regulations
- §15-024 — Special bulk regulations for certain pre-existing dwelling units and joint
- §22-223 — Signs for parking areas
- §22-242 — Height of signs
- §23-234 — Elevated Ground Floor Units
- §23-241 — Special tower provisions
- §23-313 — Level and measurement of yards
- §23-371 — Standard minimum distance between buildings
- §23-62 — Balconies
- §23-735 — Special yard, court and other area regulations
- §24-12 — Height and Application of Lot Coverage
- §24-181 — Special provisions for certain buildings
- §24-32 — Level of Yards and Measurement of Yard Width or Depth
- §24-33 — Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards or Rear Yard Equivalents
- §24-522 — Front setbacks in districts where front yards are not required
- §26-142 — Street wall articulation
- §32-301 — Definitions
- §32-654 — Height of signs in C8 Districts
- §32-655 — Height of signs in all other Commercial Districts
- §32-672 — Special provisions for high density areas
- §33-22 — Level of Yards
- §33-23 — Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards or Rear Yard Equivalents
- §33-291 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with side lot line of
- §33-292 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with rear lot lines of two
- §33-293 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with side lot line of
- §33-43 — Maximum Height of Walls and Required Setbacks
- §33-491 — Limited Height Districts
- §35-812 — Floor area and open space ratios
- §37-35 — Parking Wrap and Screening Requirements
- §37-53 — Design Standards for Pedestrian Circulation Spaces
- §37-722 — Level of plaza
- §42-192 — Use Group IX – uses permitted with limited applicability
- §42-641 — Permitted projection
- §42-643 — Height of signs
- §42-67 — Additional Sign Regulations for Adult Establishments
- §43-22 — Level of Yards
- §43-23 — Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards or Rear Yard Equivalents
- §43-301 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with side lot line of
- §43-302 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with rear lot lines of two
- §43-303 — Required yards along district boundary coincident with side lot line of
- §43-304 — Required front yards along district boundary located in a street
- §43-43 — Maximum Height of Front Wall and Required Front Setbacks
- §63-22 — Authorization to Modify Maximum Building Height
- §64-11 — Definitions
- §64-221 — Measurement of height
- §64-312 — Permitted obstructions in required yards, courts, and open spaces for all
- §64-321 — Measurement of height for flood-resistant buildings
- §64-322 — Special floor area modifications for flood-resistant buildings
- §64-323 — Special regulations for required yards and open spaces for zoning lots with
- §64-50 — STREETSCAPE REGULATIONS
- §64-521 — Options available for all buildings
- §64-53 — Screening Requirements for Parking Within or Below Buildings
- §66-232 — Special open space, lot coverage and yard modifications
- §73-53 — Enlargements or Extensions of Certain Manufacturing or Related Uses
- §73-67 — Additional Floor Space of Public Parking Garages
- §74-194 — Public parking garages or public parking lots outside high density areas
- §74-61 — Developments on Lots that Include Railroad Right-of-Ways
- §74-62 — Developments Over Streets
- §74-744 — Modification of use regulations
- §74-746 — Special provisions for development or enlargement over streets
- §78-43 — Modification for Open Space Requirements in Large-scale Developments
- §79-402 — Special permit for development of bridges over streets
- §81-141 — Special sign regulations
- §81-261 — Definitions
- §81-263 — Standard setback requirements
- §81-265 — Encroachment limitations by length and height rules
- §81-272 — Features of the Daylight Evaluation Chart
- §81-273 — Rules for plotting buildings on the daylight evaluation chart
- §81-43 — Street Wall Continuity Along Designated Streets
- §81-451 — Theater waiting space
Frequently Asked
What does "curb level" mean in NYC zoning?
"curb level" is a term defined in §12-10 of the New York City Zoning Resolution glossary. General Definition "Curb level" is the mean level of the curb adjoining a zoning lot. On corner lots, curb level is the average of the mean levels of the adjoining curbs on intersecting streets, except that, for the purpose of regulating and determining the level of yards, or oth
Where is "curb level" used in the NYC Zoning Resolution?
The term "curb level" is referenced in 100 sections of the NYC Zoning Resolution. Every section that uses this term must be read in light of the §12-10 definition.
Is "curb level" an official NYC zoning term?
Yes. "curb level" is an officially-defined term in §12-10 of the NYC Zoning Resolution maintained by the NYC Department of City Planning. The authoritative source is zr.planning.nyc.gov.
Need help interpreting “curb level”?
Ask MuniMind for plain-language explanations and case examples.