Mayor Adams Introduces Zoning Changes to Boost Housing Supply 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a sweeping set of residential zoning changes aimed at addressing the city’s housing shortage and building 100,000 new homes over the next decade.  

These changes include eliminating parking mandates for new housing, incentivizing developers to create affordable units through zoning bonuses, making office-to-residential conversions easier, legalizing accessory dwelling units, allowing three- to five-story buildings near subways, and permitting single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings. The proposals also enable residential development in areas with commercial overlays and allow large campuses to build new housing even if existing buildings don’t comply with current zoning. 

Adams called this the most significant set of zoning changes since the city’s zoning code was passed in 1961, aiming to address housing shortages and rent burdens. These proposals will undergo scoping and environmental review, public meetings, and City Planning Commission review, with the potential for a City Council vote by next fall.