Massive Technological Upgrade for New York City's Zoning Resolution

The city of New York's massive Zoning Resolution, the legal instrument that regulates land use and building size, shape, height, and setback, is now available on a contemporary web platform.

1 minute read

February 10, 2019, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Public Library

Libraries can stay. It's time for paper zoning codes to go. | Vincent Desjardins / Flickr

From a NYC Planning press release:

Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Marisa Lago today announced the release of the City’s new online Zoning Resolution. The free digital platform makes New York City’s official Zoning Resolution – the City’s text for land use and development – instantly accessible to New Yorkers.

More on the benefits of the new platform:

The flexible digital platform serves as a green replacement for the physical copy of the Zoning Resolution. It offers keyword searches and easy navigation of what was, until now, available only in hardcopy. The document will no longer be printed, saving money, increasing government transparency and helping to fight climate change.

The Zoning Resolution was previously available in PDF format and on paper. The paper version totaled 1,570 pages and cost $750 to acquire.

Friday, February 8, 2019 in NYC Planning

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

1 hour ago - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

2 hours ago - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

3 hours ago - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

4 hours ago - Philly Voice

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.