406.9.7 Special provisions applicable to large open parking lots.

Open parking lots storing ten or more motor vehicles shall also be subject to the special provisions of this section.

406.9.7.1 Curbs and bumpers.

Bumpers shall be situated not less than 1 foot (305 mm) from the perimeter edge of the open parking lot where vehicles are parked parallel to such perimeter edge, and not less than 4 feet (1219 mm) from the perimeter edge where vehicles are parked perpendicular to such perimeter edge. Openings shall be limited as provided for in Section 406.9.5.1.

   Exception: A steel guardrail or other substantial barrier designed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1607.9, that will prevent any part of a vehicle from extending across a property line, may be accepted in lieu of bumpers.

406.9.7.2 Screen enclosures.

Open parking lots shall provide a perimeter screen enclosure as per this section unless otherwise required by the New York City Zoning Resolution. Such screen enclosure may be constructed as a masonry wall, woven wire fence, iron picket fence, or uniformly painted fence of fire-resistant material at least 4 feet (1219 mm) high, but not more than 8 feet (2438 mm) above finished grade, subject to the limitations of Section 3111. Such enclosures shall completely separate the lot from adjoining premises and public sidewalks. Openings shall be limited as provided for in Section 406.9.5.1.

   Exception: Screening shall not be required for any portion of the lot adjacent to an existing wall located at the lot line.

406.9.7.3 Illumination.

Open parking lots operating between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. shall be adequately illuminated to a minimum of 1 footcandle measured at grade level, distributed over the entire area. Illumination provided with reflectors or floodlights shall be arranged such that the illumination is directed downward and away from adjacent premises.

406.9.7.4 Fire fighter aisles.

In any open parking lot, one or more aisles, at least 24 inches (610 mm) in width, shall be provided to permit access by fire-fighting personnel to all parts of the garage or lot. There shall not be more than three rows of parked motor vehicles between aisles.

406.9.8 Electric vehicle charging stations.

Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2024/055, 4/6/2024, eff. 12/21/2025. For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2024/055.

Open parking lots shall be capable of supporting electric vehicle charging stations in accordance with this section. A minimum of 20 percent of the parking spaces in an open parking lot shall be equipped with electrical raceway capable of providing a minimum supply of 11.5kVA to an electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from an electrical supply panel. The raceway shall be no smaller than 1 inch (25 mm). The electrical supply panel serving such parking spaces must have at least 3.1 kW of available capacity for each stall connected to it with raceway. Such raceway and all components and work appurtenant thereto shall be in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.

   Exceptions:

      1.   The provisions of this section shall not apply to open parking lots for buildings of Occupancy Group M (Mercantile).

      2.   The commissioner may waive compliance with this section if the commissioner determines that the open parking lot is a temporary facility that will be in service no longer than 3 years.

      3.   The provisions of this section shall not apply to open parking lots for buildings in which not less than fifty percent of the residential units are for households earning up to sixty percent of the area median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2013/130.

406.10 Curb cuts and driveways.

Except where specifically provided for in the New York City Zoning Resolution, all curb cuts and driveways shall be constructed in accordance with Sections 406.10.1 and 406.10.2. All sidewalks and driveways or portions thereof that are structurally supported shall be designed for loads prescribed in Chapter 16.

406.10.1 Curb cuts.

For the purpose of this section, a curb cut shall include all splays when determining the total length of cut curb. All curb cuts shall comply with the following requirements:

   1.   The aggregate length of curb cuts shall not exceed 60 percent of any street frontage 100 feet (30 480 mm) or less in length. No single curb cut shall exceed 30 feet (9144 mm) in length, and there shall not be more than two curb cuts on any street frontage 100 feet (30 480 mm) or less in length. The minimum distance between two curb cuts shall be 5 feet (1524 mm).

   2.   For each 50 feet (15 240 mm) of street frontage length over 100 feet (30 480 mm), an additional curb cut no greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) in length may be permitted.

   3.   No curb cut shall commence within 8 feet (2438 mm) of a side lot line.

      Exceptions:

         1.   For open parking lots on corner lots and on lots with street frontage length of 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less, the curb cut may commence no less than 30 inches (762 mm) from the side lot line.

         2.   In open or enclosed parking garages where a level landing having a minimum dimension of 20 feet (6096 mm) is provided at the discharge point of all ramps at the street level within the property line, the curb cut may commence no less than 30 inches (762 mm) from a side lot line.

   4.   No curb cut, including splays, shall be less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in length.

406.10.2 Driveways.

Driveways serving passenger vehicles shall be a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in width and shall not exceed the length of the curb cut, not including the lengths of the splays. For all other motor vehicles, the minimum width of driveways shall be 10 feet (3048 mm). Portions of the driveway located between the curb line and the lot line shall be paved in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Transportation for the construction of sidewalks.