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R8B contextual districts usually present the same unified blocks of “brownstone” rowhouses as R5B and R6B districts but the higher floor area ratio (FAR) of 4.0 creates a taller building that is commonly found on the narrow side streets of the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side in Manhattan. The mandatory Quality Housing bulk regulations encourage new six-story apartment buildings, with a setback at the top story, that fit in well with the rows of 19th century houses.

The base height of a new building before a setback is 55 to 60 feet. The maximum building height is 75 feet. Many buildings are set back from the street with stoops in shallow front yards. To maintain the traditional streetscape, curb cuts are prohibited for zoning lot frontages less than 40 feet. The street wall of a new building, on any lot up to 50 feet wide, must be as deep as one adjacent street wall but no deeper than the other. On lots with at least 50 feet of frontage, the street wall must be no closer to the street line than the street wall of an adjacent building. Street walls need not be set back beyond 15 feet. Buildings must have interior amenities for residents pursuant to the Quality Housing Program.

Off-street parking is not allowed in front of a building and any open area between the street wall and the street line must be planted. Parking is required for 50% of dwelling units, and can be waived if 15 or fewer parking spaces are required or if the zoning lot is 10,000 square feet or less. In Brooklyn, however, parking is required for 40% of dwelling units, and parking waivers are not allowed.