Dormer

Dormers are architectural features that can add both style and functionality to a home, protruding from the sloping roof of a house, providing extra headroom and natural light to the space below. They are a permitted obstruction within a required setback area and may exceed the height of a building. (nyc.gov, 2023)

In residential R6 through R10 districts, dormers are portions of buildings allowed to penetrate a required setback above the maximum base height in order to provide variety to the base heights of buildings along a street. Regardless of the district, both types of dormers are subject to size limitations.

Zoning regulations can vary depending on location and specific property rules. Some common zoning regulations that may impact your dormer project include:

1. Building Height Limits: Zoning regulations may restrict the height of buildings in certain areas. This can impact the size and shape of your dormers.
2. Setback Requirements: Setback requirements dictate how close to the property line you can build. Dormers may be subject to these requirements, which can impact their size and placement.
3. Maximum Lot Coverage: Some zoning regulations limit the percentage of your lot that can be covered by buildings. This can impact the size and number of dormers you can add.

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