Interior Lot Frontage: What Is It?

The interior lot is the most common type of lot in real estate, as it “fronts” on only one street and lies between homes on the left and right side. It is similar to a key lot, surrounded by neighbors on all sides. Interior lots offer homeowners a sense of seclusion and reduced exposure to traffic noise compared to lots with direct road frontage. They often provide a quieter and more private living environment.

The NYC Zoning Resolution outlines three types of zoning lots: Corner Lots, Through Lots, and the most common zoning. One common way to increase the allowable area for a building is through a frontage increase. The frontage increase provision in the IBC, found in Section 506.3, provides a way to increase the allowable area for a building.

Inside lots are surrounded on each side by other lots, as opposed to corner lots, which typically have road frontage on at least one side. Interior lots usually have a decent-sized backyard but can be bordered by neighbors on all sides. They offer homeowners a sense of seclusion and reduced exposure to traffic noise compared to lots with direct road frontage.

The Fire Separation Distance (FSD) is defined as the distance measured from the building face to one of the four types of lots: corner, interior, through, and reversed frontage. Corner lots tend to have more frontage on both sides than a typical interior lot, which can add 20-30 more grass cutting.

Lot frontage refers to the length of the front lot line measured at the street right-of-way, excluding lot lines adjacent to the street. For the purpose of determining yard requirements on corner lots and through lots, the streetline or front lot line is used. Building areas for detached and accessory buildings require interior, side, and rear yards.