1916 Zoning Resolution

Midtown Manhattan in 1932, showing the results of the Zoning Resolution: skyscrapers with setbacks
Graph of the 1916 New York City zoning ordinance with an example elevation for an 80-foot street in a 2½-times height district

The 1916 Zoning Resolution in New York City was the first citywide zoning code in the United States. The zoning resolution reflected both borough and local interests, and was adopted primarily to stop massive buildings from preventing light and air from reaching the streets below. It also established limits in building massing at certain heights, usually interpreted as a series of setbacks and, while not imposing height limits, restricted towers to 25% of the lot size.[1] The chief authors of this resolution were George McAneny and Edward M. Bassett.[2][3]

  1. ^ Barr, Jason M. (27 March 2019). "Revisiting 1916 (Part I): The History of New York City's First Zoning Resolution". Skynomics Blog. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. ^ Dunlap, David W. (July 26, 2016). "Zoning Arrived 100 Years Ago. It Changed New York City Forever". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Celebrating 100 Years of Zoning". Regional Plan Association. Retrieved 2 December 2020.