Architecture & Urban Design

What is the narrowest house in New York City?

The narrowest house in New York City is commonly cited as being roughly 9 feet 6 inches (approximately 2.9 meters) wide at its narrowest interior point. Located in a dense resid...

Mara Ellison
What is the narrowest house in New York City?

Quick Answer: How Wide Is the Narrowest House in NYC?

The narrowest house in New York City is commonly cited as being roughly 9 feet 6 inches (approximately 2.9 meters) wide at its narrowest interior point. Located in a dense residential area, the buildable lot and regulatory constraints produced a footprint that is far narrower than typical NYC townhouse or apartment standards. The structure is long relative to its width, which is why it is often called the Skinny House or the Longest, Thinnest House in NYC.

Because interior liveable width can vary by floor and conversion history, the exact clear width at any given point may differ slightly from façade to façade. The following sections break down location, measurements, how the building functions, and how zoning rules created such a slender result.

Key Dimensions at a Glance

AttributeVerified DetailSource Type
Narrowest interior clear widthApprox. 9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)On‑site measurement summaries / common reporting
Typical frontage range9–12 ft (2.7–3.7 m)Tax/parcel data and field notes
Building length30–50 ft (9–15 m)Assessor parcel geometry
Stories2–4 storiesBuilding footprints and DOB records
Lot depthLong and narrow, matching street and rear lot linesSanborn maps / lot plans

Note: Exact figures can vary depending on measurement method (interior vs. exterior walls) and any subsequent renovations. These numbers represent commonly cited ranges drawn from public records and site reports rather than a single official declaration.