Document Category: Statutes and Regulations

Text of NYC Zoning Resolultion

The Zoning Resolution consists of 14 Articles and 11 Appendices, plus 126 Zoning Maps, that establish the zoning districts for the City and the regulations governing land use and development. The version linked above is an easy to use web version to the ZR, with links to legislative history. Articles I through VII contain the use,… Continue reading Text of NYC Zoning Resolultion

Zoning Resolution As of 1960 Prior to 1961 Revision

The 1916 Zoning Resolution as amended prior to 1961 included provision restricting the location of cabarets, defined to include dancing and music but not restaurants with fewer than three instruments. This provision was added to the 1916 resolution in 1955.

Use Group 12 §32-21

Use Group 12 applies in purely commercial and manufacturing areas and allows establishments with dancing.

Code Notes

The NYC Department of Buildings has failed to withdraw it Code Notes for Cabarets despite the repeal of the Cabaret Law, thereby confusing and misleading the public.

Use Group 6 §32-15

Use Group 6 applies in mixed commercial-residential areas. In eating and drinking establishments, does not allow dancing or music if there is a cover charge, so that venues cannot cover the cost of hiring musicians.

1926 Cabaret Law as Enacted

1926 Cabaret Law: A LOCAL LAW to regulate dance . halls and cabarets, and providing for licensing the same. Very many have opinions and views about the 1926 Cabaret Law, but never have read the law, since it is not available on databases such as Westlaw and Lexis. We obtained the text of the law here from the Archives of the City of New York. Many claim the law was racist and was aimed at black jazz venues was their mistaken belief that the 1926 Law supposedly included a restriction prohibiting drums and saxophones in cabarets. But, such a provision was not added until 1961, and was a relaxation of the law to allow stringed instruments including guitars and violins.

Zoning Resolution – Provisions Relating to Dancing and Music

The Zoning Resolution is over 3400 pages long. There are many provisions related to dancing and music which are not well known, outside of the notorious provisions banning dancing in Use Group 6 and allowing dancing in Use Group 12. We searched through the Zoning Resolution for all references to dancing and music, and provide this extract of relevant provisions. This extract was provided to the Nightlife Office and the CPC and to various City Council members.