Dormers are architectural features that can add both style and functionality to a home, protruding from the sloping roof of a house, providing extra headroom and natural light to the space below. They are a permitted obstruction within a required setback area and may exceed the height of a building. (nyc.gov, 2023)
In residential R6 through R10 districts, dormers are portions of buildings allowed to penetrate a required setback above the maximum base height in order to provide variety to the base heights of buildings along a street. Regardless of the district, both types of dormers are subject to size limitations.
Zoning regulations can vary depending on location and specific property rules. Some common zoning regulations that may impact your dormer project include: