Yard
A yard is the portion of a zoning lot that must remain open and unobstructed from its lowest level to the sky along the length of a lot line, extending inward for a district-specified depth or width. NYC zoning further distinguishes front, rear, and side yards and recognizes how a street setback line affects yard location.
- Where it applies
- New York City
- When it comes up
- Feasibility; massing; design
- Property types
- All
In practice
Yard geometry affects not only massing but also light-and-air and window arrangement; early yard errors often cascade into redesign.
Read more in the Knowledge Base
- Lease Provisions for Non-NYC Properties - Utilities, Parking, Storage, and Yard AccessLandlords
- Leasing Single-Family Rental Homes in New YorkLandlords
- Non-MLS and Local Advertising Channels for Statewide RentalsLandlords
- Rural Rental Demand Drivers - Small Town Leasing, Employer Dependency, and Limited InventoryLandlords
- Easements, Shared Access, and Right-of-Way Risks in New York Property TitlesBuyers
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.