Open Parking Structures

NYC Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 1, subch. 7, art. 11

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 27-460 Application.

§ 27-460 Application. This section shall apply to the construction, alteration, and use of open parking structures. Open parking structures in buildings of other occupancy group classification shall not be permitted unless separated from other occupancies by construction having at least a two hour fire resistance rating.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-461 Height and area limitations.

§ 27-461 Height and area limitations. The height of the top parking surface, and the area per parking tier, shall not exceed the limitations listed in table 7-1. TABLE 7-1 Height and Area Limitation of Open Parking Structures Construction Classification Maximum Allowable Height (ft.) Allowable Area Per Parking Tier (sq.ft.) 1A unlimited unlimited 1B unlimited unlimited 1C 100 50,000 1D 100 50,000 1E 75 30,000 a. The area of an open parking structure having not more than two tiers above grade shall not be limited. b. Open parking structures of construction class 1C or 1D exceeding three parking levels may be sixty thousand square feet on any parking level provided they shall have at least fifty per cent of their perimeter, fifty per cent open. c. Open parking structures of construction class 1C or 1D, exceeding three parking levels, may be one hundred thousand square feet on any parking level when fifty per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open, and may be one hundred twenty-five thousand square feet on any parking level when seventy-five per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open and may be one hundred fifty thousand square feet on any parking level when one hundred per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open in all aforementioned cases and shall have frontage space on at least two sides, and the horizontal distance on any level to an open exterior wall shall not exceed two hundred feet. d. Open parking structures of construction class 1E exceeding three parking levels may be fifty thousand square feet on any parking level when fifty per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open and may be sixty-two thousand five hundred square feet on any parking level when seventy-five per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open and may be seventy-five thousand square feet on any parking level when one hundred per cent of the perimeter is fifty per cent open in all aforementioned cases and shall have frontage space on at least two sides, and the horizontal distance on any level to an open exterior wall shall not exceed two hundred feet. e. The allowable areas specified in notes b, c and d above shall apply only to open parking structures used exclusively for the parking and storage of passenger vehicles accommodating not more than nine passengers but not including trailers, campers or similar vehicles.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-462 Construction.

§ 27-462 Construction. All materials used in the construction of open parking structures shall be noncombustible. Columns in parking areas shall comply with the provisions of section 27-559 of article three of subchapter nine of this chapter. Interior finishes shall be class A. The minimum clear height of any parking tier shall be at least six feet six inches. (a) Below grade. Any portion of an open parking structure extending below grade shall comply with all of the requirements for public garages as provided in article ten of this subchapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-463 Exterior walls.

§ 27-463 Exterior walls. An exterior enclosure wall shall be required on any side of an open parking structure located within fifteen feet of an interior lot line. Such walls shall be noncombustible construction having at least a two hour fire-resistance rating.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-464 Curbs and bumpers.

§ 27-464 Curbs and bumpers. Curbs or bumpers of noncombustible materials shall be provided at the perimeter of each parking tier. Such curbs or bumpers shall be at least eight inches high, substantially anchored, and so located that no part of any motor vehicle will contact a wall, partition, or railing.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-465 Railings.

§ 27-465 Railings. Substantial railings or protective guards of noncombustible materials shall be provided at the perimeter of all parking tiers, except where exterior walls are provided, and around all interior floor openings. Such railings or guards shall be at least three feet six inches high, and shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of subchapter nine of this chapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-466 Floor openings.

§ 27-466 Floor openings. A curb or ramp at least six inches high shall also be provided at all interior floor openings. All floors shall be pitched to provide adequate drainage.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-467 Motor fuel pumps.

§ 27-467 Motor fuel pumps. Motor fuel pumps and facilities may be provided within an open parking structure as an accessory use. Such facilities shall comply with the requirements for the storage and handling of volatile flammables as provided in chapter four of this title. The area used for such purpose shall be located on the street floor. No pedestrian exit from any parking area shall have a path of travel through any fuel dispensing area.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-468 Mechanical parking.

§ 27-468 Mechanical parking. Open parking structures in which motor vehicles are parked by mechanical means shall comply with the requirements for open parking structures, except that the requirements for means of egress may be modified as provided in section 27-469 of this article.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-469 Exits.

§ 27-469 Exits. (a) Driver parking. Open parking structures with driver parking shall be provided with at least two exits from each tier. One of the exits may be a ramp used by motor vehicles, when serving not more than one level below grade. Exit stairs shall have a minimum width of thirty-six inches and may be unenclosed, except that they shall be enclosed in noncombustible construction having at least a two hour fire-resistance rating if the first riser of the stair is more than thirty feet from one of the open exterior walls of the structure. No point on any tier of parking shall be more than one hundred feet from an exit. (b) Mechanical parking. Open parking structures with mechanical parking equipment shall be provided with at least one exit from each tier of parking. Such exit may be unenclosed, but shall have a minimum width of thirty-six inches. No point on any tier of parking shall be more than two hundred feet from an exit.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-470 Ramps.

§ 27-470 Ramps. Ramps used for the movement of motor vehicles and as required exits need not be enclosed when serving tiers above grade. Such ramps shall have a gradient not exceeding one in seven, with nonslip surfaces. A landing having a minimum dimension of twenty feet shall be provided at the discharge point of all ramps at the street level, within the street line. Where a ramp is also used for the parking of motor vehicles, it shall be considered as a parking tier and may not serve as an exit for the occupants of the structure.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-471 Elevators.

§ 27-471 Elevators. Passenger elevators in open parking structures shall comply with the requirements of subchapter eighteen of this chapter, except that hoistways may be enclosed with noncombustible construction.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-472 Standpipes.

§ 27-472 Standpipes. Open parking structures shall be provided with standpipe in accordance with the requirements of subchapter seventeen of this chapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-472.1 Parking spaces for people having physical disabilities.

§ 27-472.1 Parking spaces for people having physical disabilities. Parking spaces for people having physical disabilities shall comply with the requirements of section 27-292.19 and reference standard RS 4-6. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1987/058.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-222368Fetched: 10/24/2026