Zohgo vs ZoLa: NYC Zoning Map vs Zoning Calculator
Should I use ZoLa or Zohgo?
Use both, for different jobs. ZoLa, the City Planning Department's free map, is the official place to see which zoning district, overlays, special districts, landmarks, flood maps and map amendments touch a lot. On the sample lot we checked, it showed the district but no maximum floor area, height or setback numbers. Zohgo takes the address and works out those numbers for the lot, with Zoning Resolution citations. Try it on your address free.
ZoLa answers "what zoning applies here?" Zohgo answers "so what can I build?" Here is what each one actually shows, checked on October 26, 2026.
At a glance
| ZoLa | Zohgo | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | NYC Department of City Planning (open source) | Yosef Waxler, architectural designer |
| Cost | Free to use, no account (observed) | Free for 3 properties a month; Pro $19.99/month; Max $99.99/month |
| Sign-in | None | Google or Apple |
| Zoning district and commercial overlay | Yes | Yes |
| Max FAR / buildable floor area for the lot | Not shown on the lot panel we tested | Yes |
| Height and setback limits | Not shown on the lot panel we tested | Yes |
| Map layers (special districts, landmarks, flood maps, E-designations, transit zones, MIH areas) | Yes, more than 30 layers | No map layers |
| Pending and adopted zoning map amendments | Yes, searchable by ULURP number | No |
| Zoning Resolution citations | Links to district guides and the ZR | Citation for each rule (blurred on Free) |
| Ask questions in plain English | No | Yes (smart chat) |
| 3D | 3D layer of existing buildings (OpenStreetMap) | 2D and 3D building envelope diagrams (Pro) |
ZoLa facts from zola.planning.nyc.gov (About, Features, Data and a sample lot, 473 6th Avenue, Brooklyn). Zohgo facts from zohgo.ai.
Where ZoLa is better
- It is the official source. The Zoning Resolution itself points to ZoLa layers for some boundaries: the Inner, Outer and Greater Transit Zones are defined as the areas shown on ZoLa (ZR 12-10).
- Layers. Its layer panel covers zoning districts, commercial overlays, special purpose districts and subdistricts, zoning map amendments (adopted and pending), Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and former Inclusionary Housing areas, the Greater Transit Zone, Transit Zones Parking Geographies, FRESH zones, Lower Density Growth Management Areas, the coastal zone, historic districts, landmarks, FEMA flood maps (2007 and preliminary 2015), Environmental Designations, Appendix I and J areas, and political boundaries.
- Search and compare. Search by address, BBL, zoning district, ULURP number or neighborhood; compare two tax lots side by side; every lot and district has its own shareable URL.
- No account, no limits. We loaded the map, a tax lot and the info pages without signing in. Bookmarks are stored in your browser.
- Lot facts and links. The lot panel shows lot area, frontage, depth, year built, existing gross floor area and units, with links to the zoning map PDF, BISWEB, ACRIS and HPD.
- Open data. ZoLa lists its data sources (MapPLUTO, NYC GIS zoning features, the Digital City Map, FEMA flood data and others) with update timestamps.
Where Zohgo is better
- It does the math. ZoLa told us the sample lot was in an R6B district and linked to the district guide. To get a number you would open the Zoning Resolution, find the R6B row (2.00 FAR standard, 2.40 with qualifying affordable or senior housing, ZR 23-22), multiply by the 1,440 sq ft lot area, then look up height (55 ft standard, ZR 23-432) and setbacks. Zohgo runs that chain for the address.
- City of Yes built in. Zohgo says every answer is generated against the current Zoning Resolution, including the City of Yes changes effective December 5, 2024, so you do not have to cross-reference the amended sections yourself.
- Plain-English questions. "Can I add a floor?" or "Is an ADU allowed?" can be asked directly in chat.
- Envelope diagrams. Pro shows 2D and 3D diagrams of the allowed building envelope. ZoLa's 3D layer shows existing buildings, not what zoning allows.
Zohgo shows the zoning district, FAR, height and setbacks for any NYC address in about a minute. Free to start, sign in with Google or Apple.
Check any NYC address free on ZohgoHow to use them together
- Run the address in Zohgo to get the district, FAR, height and setbacks.
- Open the same lot in ZoLa and turn on the layers that can change the answer: special purpose districts, zoning map amendments (including pending ones), historic districts and landmarks, flood maps, Environmental Designations and the transit zone layers.
- If a layer applies, read the matching Zoning Resolution chapter, or ask a licensed professional, before you rely on the base-district numbers.
That last step matters for any automated tool: ZoLa's own About page says the City "makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information," and Zohgo describes itself as a research tool, not professional advice.
What Zohgo does
- Enter an NYC address and Zohgo pulls the lot's city records (its pricing page names PLUTO, Geoclient and GeoSearch) and works out the zoning: district, floor area, height, setbacks and allowed uses, against the current Zoning Resolution including City of Yes (effective December 5, 2024).
- Two ways in: Fast Track, a guided button-by-button analysis, or smart chat, where you ask in your own words.
- Coverage: its home page says "850k+ NYC Lots" and "R1-M3 Full Coverage."
- Free plan: 3 properties a month, sign in with Google or Apple. Zoning Resolution citations and building diagrams are blurred on Free; the Pro plan ($19.99/month) unblurs them and removes the property limit. A Max plan ($99.99/month) adds an assistant, a branded analysis PDF and editable massing. Paid plans start with a 7-day free trial.
- Zohgo is an automated research tool, not legal or architectural advice. Its own site says to confirm with the Department of Buildings or a licensed professional before filing or buying.
Who should pick which
- Checking whether a lot is in a special district, historic district, flood zone or a pending rezoning: ZoLa.
- Getting the buildable floor area, height and setbacks for a specific lot fast: Zohgo.
- Due diligence on a purchase or a filing: both, then a licensed professional.
Zohgo vs ZoLa FAQ
Is ZoLa free?
We used ZoLa without any account, sign-in or payment on October 26, 2026, and no price or plan appears in the app. It is built and run by the NYC Department of City Planning.
Does ZoLa calculate FAR?
Not on the lot panel we tested (473 6th Avenue, Brooklyn). It showed the zoning district (R6B), lot area and existing gross floor area, and linked to the district guide and the Zoning Resolution, but no maximum FAR, buildable floor area, height or setback figures.
Is Zohgo an official city tool?
No. Zohgo is an independent tool built by Yosef Waxler. It uses city records and the Zoning Resolution, and it is meant as a first pass, not a substitute for professional review.
Which one shows special districts and landmarks?
ZoLa. Its layer panel includes special purpose districts and subdistricts, historic districts, landmarks, Environmental Designations and flood maps. Zohgo does not provide map layers.
Can I use Zohgo for free?
Yes. The free plan covers 3 properties a month with a Google or Apple sign-in. Citations and diagrams are blurred until you upgrade to Pro.
Related pages
Sources
Competitor facts come from the tool's own live site, read October 26, 2026. Zoning numbers come from the Zoning Resolution.
- ZoLa: NYC Zoning and Land Use Map (layer panel): https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/
- ZoLa: About: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/about
- ZoLa: Features: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/features
- ZoLa: Data sources: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/data
- ZoLa: sample lot, 473 6th Avenue, Brooklyn: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/3/1018/1
- Zohgo: Pricing: https://zohgo.ai/pricing
- Zohgo: home page: https://zohgo.ai/
- ZR 12-10 Definitions (ancillary dwelling unit, qualifying residential site, qualifying affordable housing, Inner, Outer and Greater Transit Zone): https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-i/chapter-2
- ZR 23-22: https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-ii/chapter-3/23-22
- ZR 23-432: https://zr.planning.nyc.gov/article-ii/chapter-3/23-432