Structural Separation Seismic Joint NYCBC

[avgtriangle]

1613.4 of the New York City building code states “All structures shall be separated from adjacent structures. Does the structure include the foundation wall below grade as well or just the structure above the ground?

 

[ggcdn]

I don't work in NY, but we've usually treated it as a requirement all the way down, including below grade. You don't want your bsmt wall drifting past the property line and/or pounding their structure.