NEW YORK, NY — City Council approved legislation allowing basement accessory dwelling units in newly built one- and two-family homes to be rented.
The bill, sponsored by Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, aligns the city’s Housing Maintenance Code with zoning reforms adopted as part of the city’s 2024 housing package.
Those reforms legalized accessory dwelling units, including basement apartments, in many neighborhoods.
The new legislation ensures cellar apartments created during new construction receive the same rental allowances as those built within existing homes.
“The Council’s landmark 2024 City for All housing package — which secured more than $5 billion in housing investments — and the City of Yes zoning reforms allowed us to build a little more housing in every neighborhood,” Sanchez said.