The Lower Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Richmond County, New York

Selling a home on Staten Island

Staten Island is the city's borough of detached and semi-detached houses, with zoning and flood rules all its own.

About Staten Island

Hills, shoreline and the ferry

Staten Island is Richmond County, with 495,747 residents in the 2020 Census, the smallest population of the five boroughs. The Staten Island Ferry links St. George to Lower Manhattan, the Staten Island Railway runs down the East Shore to Tottenville, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects the island to Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. The Goethals Bridge, the Outerbridge Crossing and the Bayonne Bridge cross to New Jersey.

The island has more special zoning than most of the city. The Zoning Resolution sets out a Special South Richmond Development District on the South Shore, a Special Hillsides Preservation District for the steep north-central hills, and Special Natural Area District rules for wooded and sloped land. The borough's lower-density zones are a Lower Density Growth Management Area, with stricter rules for new development.

Homes in Staten Island

What sellers should know

Most homes are detached and semi-detached one- and two-family houses, with attached townhouses, condos and some co-ops. Lot size, driveways and yards matter a great deal to buyers. Along the East and South Shores, many blocks are low-lying and were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, so flood zones, elevation, past damage and flood insurance are central to the sale. Buyers who plan to build or subdivide will ask about the special districts.

Look up your flood zone

Check your address on FloodHelpNY and the FEMA flood map. Buyers on the East and South Shores will want to know the zone, elevation and insurance cost.

Fill out flood disclosures fully

New York's Property Condition Disclosure Statement now requires house sellers to answer questions on flood risk, flood history and flood insurance, with no $500 credit opt-out.

Know your special district

ZoLa shows whether your lot is in the South Richmond, Hillsides or Natural Area districts. These rules affect tree removal, grading and what can be built.

Keep post-Sandy records together

If your home was repaired, raised or rebuilt, gather permits, contractor invoices and any elevation certificate. They answer buyers' and insurers' questions.

For landowners

Building on your land in Staten Island

On Staten Island, the NYC Department of Buildings issues permits, and ZoLa shows zoning and special districts. Much of the island falls under the Lower Density Growth Management Area and special districts such as South Richmond, Hillsides Preservation and Natural Area, which can require City Planning review for grading, tree removal or new buildings. Low-lying shoreline lots also face flood-zone building rules, so have an architect review any lot before you promise a buyer what can be built.

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Selling a home in Staten Island: questions

Can a buyer subdivide or build on my large lot?

Maybe, but Staten Island has extra rules. Lower-density zones are part of the Lower Density Growth Management Area, and many lots also fall in special districts that control slopes, trees and development. An architect should review the specific lot.

Can a buyer add a basement apartment?

Not in high-risk flood areas. The Department of Buildings says below-grade ancillary units are not permitted in FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Area, the Coastal Flood Risk Area or DEP's 10-Year Rainfall Flood Risk Area.

What transfer taxes apply on Staten Island?

Staten Island follows New York City's rules: the Real Property Transfer Tax is 1% up to $500,000 and 1.425% above for homes, condos and co-ops, plus New York State's transfer tax, normally paid by the seller.

Official sources for Staten Island sellers

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