Building proximity to lot line and incentive zoning

Project Management
1

In a question for Section 4, it states in one of your answers that building proximity to lot line does NOT impact height. This is surely not true.

There are several instances where if the building is set back from the lot line, like giving space for a public plaza, you can get additional height. The Quality Housing program in NYC does just this as a form of incentive zoning. I’m not clear this should marked wrong. While occupancy, construction type and and fire protection also impact height, so does the positioning of the building

2

Thanks for your question @avatarlucas! You are certainly correct in that building proximity to the property line may impact height in certain jurisdictions per specific zoning codes. However, the question here asks about the building code specifically. Per IBC Chapter 5, the three components (specific building code sections) that determine the maximum allowable area and height include occupancy classification, fire protection, and construction type.

It can be tricky to disregard practical experience or real-life scenarios when approaching ARE questions. However, it’s important to pay attention to key words/phrases in the prompt and not let outside factors or assumptions cloud your answers.

Hope this helps!

Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator
Black Spectacles

3

I had thought this was related to Zoning not Building code. We are talking about height of building which tends to be controlled at the Zoning level.

[ screenshot removed ]

4

@avatarlucas Zoning ordinances certainly regulate building heights and area as well. However, the question you are referring to states that the architect is performing their initial building code review to determine the maximum allowable area and height of the building. Therefore, we are concerned only about the building code for this question.

An important note for the ARE (and in practice) is that if you have two conflicting guidelines (i.e. building code says you can build 5 stories high, while zoning ordinance says you can build 3 stories high), you must always go with the most stringent requirement. That way, you would be satisfying both guidelines.

FYI - I removed your screenshot as we do not allow our paid content to be shared.