Residential FAR Cap in NYC/Supersizing NYC Buildings

Don’t remove the cap on the size of new residential buildings in NYC to allow supersized development anywhere in NYC

Governor Hochul and the State Legislature are deciding whether or not to lift the long-standing cap on the allowable size of residential developments in New York City, which would enrich developers and destroy the scale of neighborhoods. Using specious arguments about housing shortages and affordability, they are considering removing this post–Robert Moses era rule that prevents grossly oversized developments from being allowed in residential neighborhoods.

Village Preservation has been a leader in opposing the effort to remove the current State cap on the size of residential buildings in New York City, and to eliminate loopholes and other abuses of zoning regulations which produce taller and larger buildings than current rules were intended to allow.

The current state cap has allowed residential buildings up to 1,500 feet in height to be built, yet those advocating for it to be lifted want even the existing limits removed. Removing the State cap would allow the Mayor and real estate interests to rezone neighborhoods throughout New York City to dramatically higher densities, which they have indicated they would like to do. The current cap has still allowed the largest boom in residential construction in New York City in generations.

Updates

  • March 15, 2024

    Legislature Splits on Allowing Supersized Development in Residential Neighborhoods, Decision Due April 1 — WRITE TODAY!

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  • January 11, 2024

    Hochul at It Again — Governor Pitches Abolishing State Density Limits for Residential Development in NYC

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  • June 12, 2023

    Victory: In Spite of Intense Pressure, Albany Keeps Residential Density Cap in Place, Doesn’t Allow Supersized Development

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  • June 5, 2023

    Last-Minute Push to Lift Residential Density Cap and Allow Supersized Developments Now Underway in Albany — WRITE NOW!

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  • May 5, 2023

    Plans for Lifting Residential Density Cap Failed in Budget, but Not Dead in Albany; Tell State Legislators to Reject It

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  • May 1, 2023

    Victory! Budget Agreement Excludes Supersized Residential Development Proposal

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  • April 26, 2023

    Proposal to Allow Supersized Development in NYC Appears to Be Off the Table in Budget Negotiations, but Not Dead

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  • April 19, 2023

    Lifting Residential Density Cap to Allow Supersized Developments Now at Center of State Budget Negotiations — WRITE NOW!

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  • April 10, 2023

    Decision on Allowing Supersized Development in NYC via State Budget Still in Limbo

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  • March 31, 2023

    Decision on Allowing Supersized Development in NYC Expected Soon — ACT NOW!

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  • March 27, 2023

    Albany’s Decision on Allowing Supersized Residential Development in NYC This Week; Rallying with State Legislators to Oppose

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  • March 16, 2023

    Victory! State Assembly and Senate Both Drop Supersizing Proposal from Budget, But Final Decision Still to Come

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  • March 13, 2023

    Critical Decision on Supersized Development in Neighborhoods This Week; Arm Yourself with Information and Urge Legislators to Oppose

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  • March 9, 2023

    Critical State Decision on Allowing Supersized Residential Development in NYC Expected Soon

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  • January 23, 2023

    Push Begins Again to Overturn State Law Allowing Supersized Development in NYC — Help Us Fight It!

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  • October 24, 2022

    Mayor Adam’s ‘City of Yes’ Plans for Increased Development Revealed

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  • October 8, 2022

    Public Presentations: Mayor Adams’ ‘City of Yes’ Rezoning Proposals

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  • June 2, 2022

    URGENT ALERT: Mayor Announces Plans To Change Zoning + Development Rules in Neighborhoods

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  • April 7, 2022

    Plan to Lift Limit on Size of Residential Development in NYC Is Rejected, Fails to Win Approval in State Budget!

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  • March 28, 2022

    State Decision on Allowing Supersized Development Throughout NYC This Week

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  • March 17, 2022

    Assembly and Senate Reject Supersize Proposal, But Final Budget Battle Not Yet Over

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  • March 10, 2022

    Verdict on Hochul Plan to Lift Residential Development Size Cap Expected Soon — WRITE TODAY!

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  • February 7, 2022

    URGENT: Hochul Plan to Lift Residential Density Limit in NYC Advances to State Budget; Write Legislators in Opposition TODAY!

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  • January 25, 2022

    Opposing Gov. Hochul’s Proposal to Allow Supersized Development in NYC Neighborhoods

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  • May 17, 2019

    City Leaves Mechanical Void Loophole for Supertalls Wide Open, So State May Act

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  • April 15, 2019

    City Votes to Expand Loophole For ‘Voids’ in Supertalls

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  • March 26, 2019

    Upper West Side Supertall Suffers Court Defeat, With Broader Implications

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  • March 14, 2019

    Pushing for Real Action Against Zoning Loopholes for Supertalls

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  • March 6, 2019

    City’s Plan to Halt Zoning Abuse for Supertalls in Residential Neighborhoods is Full of Loopholes – Demand Better

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  • February 11, 2019

    Hearing Wed. on City Proposal to Limit Voids in High-Rises

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  • June 21, 2018

    VICTORY! State Legislative Session Ends Without Repeal of Cap on NYC Residential Building Sizes No ‘Supersizing’ this Year

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  • June 4, 2018

    Last Minute Push in Albany to Allow Supersized Buildings in Residential NYC Neighborhoods

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  • May 24, 2018

    Push in Albany Continues to Allow Supersized Buildings in NYC, But We Win An Important Ally

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  • May 14, 2018

    State Legislature Tries to Supersize NYC Buildings AGAIN – Help Stop It

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  • May 14, 2018

    State Legislature Tries to Supersize NYC Buildings AGAIN – Help Stop It

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  • May 14, 2018

    Push in Albany Continues to Allow Supersized Buildings in NYC, But We Win An Important Ally

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  • April 26, 2018

    Village Preservation Op-Ed: Mayor and Big Real Estate’s Plan to Supersize Buildings is Bad for NYC

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  • April 26, 2018

    Village Preservation Op-Ed: Mayor and Big Real Estate’s Plan to Supersize Buildings is Bad for NYC

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  • March 28, 2018

    Plan to Allow Supersized NYC Buildings Falters in State Legislature, But Not Dead Yet

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  • March 20, 2018

    State Seeks to Lift Cap on Size of Residential Buildings in NYC

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