If you’ve been hearing about the City of Yes, you’ve probably heard this idea floating around: zoning is becoming more flexible, so property values are automatically going to rise.

That’s where a lot of confusion starts.

Zoning changes can matter, but they don’t work on their own. To understand City of Yes, you need to separate three things that often get mixed together: zoning, feasibility, and value.

Zoning Is Not Approval

Zoning shows what may be allowed, but it does not approve anything.

Even if a use is technically permitted, you still need plans, permits, inspections, and compliance with building codes. “Allowed” and “approved” are not the same thing, and that gap is where expectations often fall apart.

Feasibility Depends on the Property

Just because zoning allows flexibility doesn’t mean every property can take advantage of it.

Lot size, building layout, existing use, and structural limits all matter. Two homes on the same block can fall under the same zoning rules and still have very different outcomes. Feasibility is always property-specific.

Value Comes From Buyers, Not Policy

Property value is set by what buyers are willing to pay, not by zoning language alone.

Zoning flexibility only adds value when it creates something buyers actually want and can realistically execute. If the path is unclear or expensive, the market usually doesn’t pay for that potential.

The Bottom Line

City of Yes is most helpful when it’s looked at realistically.

Zoning explains what might be possible. Feasibility explains what can actually be done. Value explains what the market cares about.

If you want a simple reference that breaks this down clearly, I’ve linked the City of Yes Reality Guide below. And if you want to talk through how your specific property fits into this, you can book a one-on-one strategy session through the link in the description.

Possibility and reality are not the same thing.

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Joseph Ranola | Five-Star Staten Island & South Brooklyn Realtor® (50+ Google reviews)
Associate Broker · Real Broker | Team Leader · Bridge & Boro Team
Serving 103xx and 11209 / 11214 / 11228 | $30M+ closed volume
📞 917-716-1496 | ranolarealestate.com