Brooklyn, New York
Selling a home in Bay Ridge
From Shore Road co-ops to limestone row houses near the R train, we price Bay Ridge homes block by block.
Get my free home valueAbout Bay Ridge
Shore Road, the Narrows and the R train
Bay Ridge sits in the southwest corner of Brooklyn, looking out over the Narrows toward Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Shore Road and its waterfront park run along the western edge, and Owl's Head Park anchors the north end. Third and Fifth Avenues carry most of the shops and restaurants, and the R train runs under Fourth Avenue with stops at Bay Ridge Avenue, 77th Street, 86th Street and Bay Ridge-95th Street.
The neighborhood has its own zoning rules. The Special Bay Ridge District in the city's Zoning Resolution sets extra limits on building height and bulk to keep new buildings in scale with the blocks around them. In 2019 the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Bay Ridge Parkway - Doctors' Row Historic District, the first historic district in Bay Ridge, for its largely intact early-20th-century row houses.
Homes in Bay Ridge
What sellers should know
Bay Ridge mixes prewar co-op buildings along Shore Road and the avenues, brick and limestone row houses, two-family homes, and detached houses on the blocks near the water. Co-op sellers need board approval for their buyer, so a clean, complete board package matters. Row house and two-family sellers should know their legal unit count, because buyers and their lenders will check the certificate of occupancy. Homes on Doctors' Row fall under Landmarks rules for exterior work.
Know your legal unit count
Many Bay Ridge houses are used as two or three units. Pull the certificate of occupancy from the Department of Buildings early so the listing matches what a buyer's lender will see.
Prepare the co-op board package
Shore Road and avenue co-ops each have their own board rules, sublet policies and fees. Gather the building's financials and house rules before you list so buyers can move fast.
Check the Special Bay Ridge District
Buyers who want to expand often ask what the zoning allows. ZoLa shows whether a lot is in the Special Bay Ridge District, which has its own height and bulk limits.
Mind landmark rules on Doctors' Row
If your house is in the Bay Ridge Parkway - Doctors' Row Historic District, exterior changes need Landmarks Preservation Commission review. Tell buyers up front.
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Selling a home in Bay Ridge: questions
Can a buyer add a backyard cottage to a Bay Ridge house?
Not on every block. The Department of Buildings says backyard ADUs are not allowed in the Special Bay Ridge District west of Ridge Boulevard or south of Marine Avenue, or in historic districts. A garage conversion is treated differently, so check the specific lot.
What transfer taxes does a Bay Ridge seller pay?
New York City's Real Property Transfer Tax on a one- to three-family house, condo or co-op is 1% of the price up to $500,000 and 1.425% above that. New York State adds its own transfer tax, which the seller normally pays. Your attorney will confirm the exact figures at closing.
How do I find my building's records before I list?
Deeds and mortgages are on ACRIS, run by the Department of Finance. Building permits, violations and the certificate of occupancy are with the Department of Buildings.
Is my home in a flood zone?
Most of Bay Ridge sits on high ground, but blocks near Shore Road and the water can differ. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center and FloodHelpNY let you look up your exact address.
Official sources for Bay Ridge sellers
- NYC Zoning Resolution: Special Bay Ridge District
- LPC press release: Bay Ridge Parkway - Doctors' Row Historic District (June 25, 2019)
- NYC DOB: Ancillary Dwelling Units (Local Laws 126/127)
- NYC Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT)
- New York State real estate transfer tax
- NYC ZoLa zoning map