Sky Exposure Plane
A sky exposure plane is a sloping plane beginning at a specified height above the street line and rising inward over the zoning lot at a prescribed slope; buildings generally may not penetrate it. It is intended to preserve light and air at street level, especially in medium- and higher-density districts.
- Where it applies
- New York City
- When it comes up
- Massing; zoning analysis; design development
- Property types
- All; particularly mid-rise residential and mixed-use in NYC
In practice
Sky exposure plane compliance is often the hidden driver behind stepped massing - and can force meaningful tradeoffs between unit mix, terraces, and structural grid.
Related terms
Zoning and Land Use
- Air Rights
- Area Variance
- As-of-right Development
- Authorization
- Base Height
- Base Plane
- Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA)
- Building Envelope
- Bulk
- Certification
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.