Section 27-313
§ 27-313 Projections above grade. Subject to the provisions of article
eight of this subchapter the following projections may be constructed,
above grade, to project beyond the street line:
(a) Fixed Projections. Fixed projections are those elements listed
below, generally of an architectural character, that form an integral
part of the building facade. The aggregate area of all fixed projections
constructed to extend beyond the street line shall not exceed ten square
feet within any one hundred square feet of wall area, except that a
veneer may be applied to the entire facade of a building erected before
December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, if such veneer does not
project more than four inches beyond the street line. The area of any
fixed projection shall be measured at that vertical plane, parallel to
the wall, in which the area of the projection is greatest. This plane of
measurement may be at the street line, the line of maximum projection,
or any point in between.
(1) ENTRANCE DETAILS. Entrance details, including steps, and doors
when fully open, may be constructed to project beyond the street line
not more than eighteen inches Entrance steps that project beyond the
street line shall be guarded at each end by railings or check pieces at
least three feet high or by other members of the entrance detail
providing equivalent protection.
(2) ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS. Details such as cornices, eaves, bases,
sills, headers, band course, opening frames, sun control devices,
rustications, applied ornament or sculpture, grilles, windows when fully
open, air conditioning units, and other similar elements may be
constructed to project not more than four inches beyond the street line
when less than ten feet above the ground or sidewalk level, and not more
than ten inches beyond the street line when more than ten feet above the
ground or sidewalk level.
(3) BALCONIES. Balconies, including railings and supporting brackets,
no parts of which are less than ten feet above the ground or sidewalk
level, may be constructed to project not more than twenty-two inches
beyond the street line. When permitted by the provisions of subchapter
six of this chapter, fire escapes that are part of a required exit may
be constructed to project not more than four feet six inches beyond the
street line provided no part, including any movable ladder or stair, is
lower than ten feet above the ground or sidewalk level when not in use.
(4) MARQUEES. Marquees may be erected on public buildings, theaters,
hotels, terminals, large department stores, supermarkets, multi-family
dwellings, and similar buildings of an essentially public nature, or
upon a warehouse or market in an established market area as designated
by reference standard RS 4-3, so as to project beyond the street line,
but not nearer than two feet to the curb line, provided that no parts of
such marquees are less than ten feet above the ground or sidewalk level.
Marquees must not be more than two feet to curb lines hereafter
established or changed. When measured from top to bottom, marquees shall
not be thicker nor shall the fascia be higher than three feet. This
dimension shall include all decorations, but shall exclude any tension
supports suspending the marquee from the wall. Marquees shall be
supported entirely from the building and be constructed of
noncombustible materials, except that the roof or any part of the roof
may contain skylights complying with the requirements of subdivision (d)
of section 27-338 of article four of subchapter five of this chapter.
Marquee roofs shall be drained in accordance with the provisions of
subchapter sixteen of this chapter. When the occupancy or use of a
building with a marquee projecting beyond the street line is changed to
an occupancy or use for which a marquee is not permitted by this section
the marquee shall be removed.
(5) LIGHT FIXTURES. Light fixtures that are supported entirely from
the building may be constructed to project not more than two feet beyond
the street line, provided no part of the fixture is less than eight feet
above the ground or sidewalk level.
(6) FLAGPOLES. Flagpoles that are supported entirely from the building
may be constructed to project not more than eighteen feet beyond the
street line, but not closer than two feet to the curb line, provided
that no part of the flagpole is less than fifteen feet above the ground
or sidewalk level.
(7) WALL SIGNS. Wall signs may be constructed to project not more than
twelve inches beyond the street line when conforming to the requirements
of subchapter seven of this chapter.
(8) PROJECTING SIGNS. Projecting signs may be constructed to project
not more than ten feet beyond the street line, but not closer than two
feet to the curb line, when conforming to the requirements of subchapter
seven of this chapter, and provided that no part of the sign is less
than ten feet above the ground or sidewalk level.
(b) Awnings. Awnings supported entirely from the building may be
constructed to project beyond the street line as follows:
(1) STORE FRONT AWNINGS. Store front awnings may be constructed to
project beyond the street line not more than eight feet, provided no
part of the awning is less than eight feet above the ground or sidewalk
level, except for a flexible valance, which may be not less than seven
feet above the ground or sidewalk level, and provided that the awning
box or cover does not project more than twelve inches.
(2) AWNINGS. Awnings over windows or doors may be constructed to
project beyond the street line not more than five feet, provided that no
part of the awning is less than eight feet above the ground or sidewalk
level.
(3) CONSTRUCTION. Awnings shall be constructed of a noncombustible
frame covered with flameproofed canvas or cloth, slow-burning plastic,
sheet metal, or other equivalent material.
(c) Storm Enclosures. Storm enclosures projecting not more than
eighteen inches beyond the street line may be permitted during the
period between November fifteenth and the following April fifteenth.
Such enclosures shall be removed at the end of this period. Construction
shall follow the requirements of section 27-336 of subchapter five of
this chapter.
(d) Bridges Between Buildings. Bridges connecting buildings, and
projecting beyond street lines, may be constructed subject to the
approval of the board of estimate and the department of highways. Such
bridges shall be of a construction class that is at least equal to the
higher class of the two buildings connected, and shall otherwise comply
with the provisions of this code and other applicable laws and
regulations.
(e) Sidewalk cafes. (1) Enclosures for sidewalk cafes, where permitted
by the commissioner of consumer affairs, may be provided beyond the
building line, within a street, provided such enclosures are constructed
of incombustible material or slow-burning plastic or other material
which will not support combustion, and provided the sides of such
enclosures do not extend more than eight feet above the sidewalk.
(2) Awnings supported entirely from the building may be placed over
sidewalk cafes provided they are at least eight feet clear above the
sidewalk and provided they are within the limits specified by the
commissioner of consumer affairs. Such awnings shall be supported on
metal frames and constructed of canvas treated to render it
fire-resistive or other material which will not support combustion.
(3) No part of any awning, enclosure, fixture or equipment of a
sidewalk cafe shall be located beneath a fire-escape so as to obstruct
operation of fire-escape drop ladders or counter-balanced stairs or to
obstruct any exit from a building.
(4) a. Removable platforms shall be constructed to provide for a
continuous unbroken and level floor without openings or cracks so as to
prevent any material or liquid from falling through to the area beneath;
no papers, trash or other materials may be permitted to accumulate in
the area beneath the floor of the platform.
b. No part of the platform shall obstruct an exit from any building.
c. No part of the platform shall cover a cellar entrance, areaway or
other vent, except that an easily removable section, prominently
designated, will be permitted if acceptable to the commissioner.
d. No siamese connection or hydrant may be obstructed in any way that
would hinder its use by the fire department.
(5) In addition to the requirements specified herein, the commissioner
may promulgate such additional regulations necessary to secure safety.
(f) Curb cuts. The lowering of any curb or the change of grade of any
sidewalk for the purpose of providing a driveway across such curb or
sidewalk shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications
prescribed in section 27-558 of article three of subchapter nine of this
chapter or as required by the commissioner. The commissioner shall limit
the length of any curb cut for the purpose of providing a driveway
across such curb or sidewalk, when in the opinion of the commissioner
the actual use or intended use of such driveway would endanger the
public. The owner shall maintain every part of such driveway in
accordance with the specifications prescribed in section 27-558 of
article three of subchapter nine of this chapter. Where the vehicular
use of such driveway, in the opinion of the commissioner is dangerous to
the public, the commissioner shall order the owner to discontinue use of
such driveway and restore the curb and sidewalk as required by the
department of transportation. Upon the failure of the owner to comply
with such order, the commissioner may inform the commissioner of
transportation of such failure to comply and request the cooperation of
the commissioner of transportation acting under his or her authority
pursuant to section twenty-nine hundred four of the New York city
charter in the enforcement of this section.
Section 27-314
§ 27-314 Projections below grade. Subject to the provisions of article
eight of this subchapter the following projections may be constructed
below grade to project beyond the street line:
(a) Footings. Exterior wall and column footings may be constructed to
project beyond the street line not more than twelve inches, provided
that the top of the footing is not less than eight feet below the ground
or sidewalk level.
(b) Foundation Walls. Foundation walls required to support permitted
projections may be constructed to project not more than the permitted
projection beyond the street line.
(c) Vaults. Vaults licensed by the commissioner of transportation may
be constructed to project beyond the street line but not beyond the curb
line. Vault covers shall be set flush with the sidewalk and surfaced
with non-skid material.
(d) Tunnels Between Buildings. Tunnels connecting buildings, and
projecting beyond street lines, may be constructed subject to the
approval of the board of estimate and the department of transportation.
Such tunnels shall comply with the provisions of this code and other
applicable laws and regulations.
Section 27-315
§ 27-315 Restrictions on construction and projections on certain
streets, parkways, boardwalks and beaches. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this article, it shall be unlawful to build, erect, make
areaways, steps or other projections prohibited by sections 19-131,
19-132, 19-135, 18-109, 18-112 and 18-113 of the code.