R6 zoning districts are widely mapped in built-up, medium-density areas in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The character of R6 districts can range from neighborhoods with a diverse mix of building types and heights to large-scale “tower in the park” developments such as Ravenswood in Queens and Homecrest in Brooklyn. Developers can choose between two sets of bulk regulations. Standard height factor regulations, introduced in 1961, produce small multifamily buildings on small zoning lots and, on larger lots, tall buildings that are set back from the street. Optional Quality Housing regulations produce high lot coverage buildings within height limits that often reflect the scale of older, pre-1961 apartment buildings in the neighborhood.

Height Factor Regulations

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Buildings developed pursuant to height factor regulations are often tall buildings set back from the street and surrounded by open space and on-site parking. The floor area ratio (FAR) in R6 districts ranges from 0.78 (for a single-story building) to 2.43 at a typical height of 13 stories; the open space ratio (OSR) ranges from 27.5 to 37.5. Generally, the more open space, the taller the building. In the diagram, for example, 81% of the zoning lot with the 13-story building is required to be open space (2.43 FAR × 33.5 OSR). Thus, the maximum floor area ratio is achievable only where the zoning lot is large enough to accommodate a practical building footprint as well as the required amount of open space. There are no height limits for height factor buildings although they must be set within a sky exposure plane which begins at a height of 60 feet above the street line and then slopes inward over the zoning lot. Off-street parking is required for 70% of a building’s dwelling units, or it can be waived if five or fewer spaces are required.

Quality Housing Regulations

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The optional Quality Housing regulations produce high lot coverage buildings set at or near the street line. Height limitations ensure that these buildings are often more compatible with older buildings in the neighborhood. As an incentive for developers to choose the Quality Housing option outside the Manhattan Core, greater floor area ratio, and therefore, more apartments, is permitted  for buildings on orwithin 100 feet of a wide street than would be permitted under height factor regulations. The FAR is 3.0; the maximum base height before setback is 60 feet with a maximum building height of 70 feet. On a narrow street (beyond 100 feet of a wide street), the maximum FAR is 2.2; the maximum base height before setback is 45 feet with a maximum building height of 55 feet. The area between a building’s street wall and the street line must be planted and the buildings must have interior amenities for the residents pursuant to the Quality Housing Program.

Off-street parking, which is not permitted in front of a building, is required for 50% of all dwelling units, less than for height factor buildings because of the high lot coverage. Parking can be waived if five or fewer spaces are required.