N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 172: Yards and courts

§ 172. Yards and courts. 1. Except as provided in subdivision two,

there shall be a yard thirteen feet or more in depth across the entire

lot in the rear of every converted dwelling, or an outer court three

feet or more in width which alone or with any open space at the rear of

the dwelling equals the required area of such a yard.

2. On a corner lot there shall be a yard ten feet or more in depth

across the entire lot. Such yard shall be thirteen feet or more in depth

for any part of the yard which is more than sixty feet from any side

street bounding such lot. The provisions of this subdivision need not

apply to a dwelling situated on a corner lot if (a) the required windows

of all living rooms in such a dwelling open directly upon a street (b)

the height and bulk of the dwelling are not increased and (c) the bulk

of the dwelling above the first story is not increased.

3. The bottom of a yard may be as high as but not above the second

tier of beams, provided the first story is used exclusively for business

purposes and there is no living room in or below the first story; and

provided also that whenever any means of egress from the upper stories

opens into such yard, a portion of the yard ten feet or more in depth

and open from the ground up shall be maintained at the rear of any

extension of the dwelling.

4. In the rear of every converted dwelling on a corner lot an

extension of the dwelling over the yard may be built up to the second

tier of beams, provided such extension does not obstruct any required

means of egress from the upper stories.

5. Except as provided in subdivisions three and four, the required

yard or court and unoccupied space shall be open and unobstructed from

the ground up.

6. The restrictions of this section and those of subdivisions one and

two of section one hundred seventy-one in regard to bulk and volume

shall not apply to extensions erected before April thirteenth, nineteen

hundred forty, in conformity with the provision of a local zoning

resolution which restricted bulk and volume.

7. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to permit extensions in the

yards or courts of any converted dwelling, or to permit business or

commercial uses therein, which may be contrary to any local zoning law,

ordinance or regulation.