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What is a row house? A row house is one private home in an unbroken line of attached houses that share side walls, called party walls. Row houses usually have individual entrances and private interiors, but their narrow lots, repeated facades, and connected construction create a denser form than detached housing.
The term covers historic urban homes and some modern attached developments. The details—brick or stone facades, number of floors, basements, stoops, yards, ownership, and preservation rules—vary by city, construction period, and local real-estate usage.
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Key takeaways
- A row house is one home in an unbroken line of attached houses that share side walls, commonly called party walls.
- Row houses became common in major American cities by the late eighteenth century because narrow lots and shared walls used valuable urban land efficiently.
- “Row house” and “rowhouse” usually describe the same form, while “townhouse” is a broader term that can also describe newer attached developments.
- A brownstone is usually a facade or building-material description associated with many New York row houses, not a separate basic housing type.
- Historic row houses often have narrow, deep plans with several floors, front-to-back rooms, and stairs connecting living, sleeping, and service spaces.
- Owners should check landmark, historic-district, design-review, and building-permit requirements before changing an older row house’s exterior or removing historic features.
What is a row house?
A row house is one home in an unbroken line of attached houses that share common side walls, known as party walls. Each home typically has its own entrance and private interior, but neighboring units meet along their sides instead of standing separately like detached houses.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission glossary defines a rowhouse as “One of a group of an unbroken line of attached houses that share common side walls, known as party walls.” The wording describes the defining physical arrangement, not a particular facade, floor count, material, ownership structure, or architectural style.
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What defines a row house?
The attached arrangement defines a row house. A group of individual homes stands side by side with a continuous street frontage, and each home shares one or both side walls with its neighbors.
- Attached construction: Neighboring homes share party walls.
- Narrow, deep lots: Many urban row houses fit relatively narrow parcels that extend farther back from the street.
- Street-facing entrance: A row house commonly has its own front door opening directly onto a sidewalk, stoop, small court, or front yard.
- Repeated facades: Houses in the same row often use coordinated window spacing, cornices, doors, masonry, or decorative details.
- Multiple floors: Historic urban examples frequently build upward to gain living space without widening the lot.
- Limited side space: A row house generally has little or no side yard because the neighboring buildings are immediately adjacent.
Not every row house has exactly two or three floors, a brick facade, a basement, a stoop, or a rear addition. Those features are common in particular cities and periods, but they are not universal requirements. A row house may be built from brick, stone, brownstone, stucco, or other materials, and modern attached homes may look very different from historic urban rows.
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The National Park Service advises surveyors to “Count rowhouses individually, even though attached.” The guidance captures an important distinction: a connected street wall can contain several separate buildings or homes.
Are row houses connected, and do they share walls?
Yes. Row houses are connected side by side, and neighboring units commonly share party walls. A party wall separates adjoining properties or homes while forming part of both structures.
Shared walls reduce the number of exposed exterior walls each home needs, but they also make maintenance and renovation more interdependent. Roofs, chimneys, masonry, foundations, rear additions, drainage, and party-wall conditions may affect neighboring properties, especially in older construction. The exact legal responsibility for repairs depends on local law, title documents, condominium or homeowners-association documents, and the building’s ownership arrangement.
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What is the difference between a row house and a townhouse?
A row house is usually understood as a home in a continuous attached urban row, while townhouse is a broader term that may describe historic row houses or newer attached homes in a planned development. Many row houses are townhouses, but not every property marketed as a townhouse has the continuous historic streetscape associated with a row house.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The terms overlap in American real-estate and planning language. The American Planning Association’s 1962 PAS Report 164 lists “town house” among the names used for the row-house form and discusses its smaller lots, shared walls, and land-use efficiencies. Because the report dates from 1962, its construction and planning observations should be read as historical analysis rather than current cost or market data.
| Term | What it usually means | Where the wording can mislead |
|---|---|---|
| Row house / rowhouse | An individual attached home in a continuous or nearly continuous line of houses. | Local usage varies, and a modern row-house project may not resemble a historic city block. |
| Townhouse | A broad real-estate term for an attached, often multi-level home with its own entrance. | A townhouse development may contain smaller groups of attached homes, uneven facades, shared amenities, or a planned-subdivision layout rather than one historic urban row. |
| Terrace house | A term used in some countries for an attached house forming part of a terrace or continuous row. | The meaning and ownership model depend strongly on the country and local housing market. |
| Brownstone | Usually a description of a brown sandstone facade or a New York home associated with that material. | “Brownstone” is not, by itself, a separate basic housing arrangement; many brownstones are row houses, but row houses can use other materials. |
Is a brownstone the same as a row house?
A brownstone is not exactly the same thing as a row house. “Row house” describes how homes are arranged and attached; “brownstone” generally describes a facade material or a style of New York housing commonly associated with brown sandstone.
Many New York row houses have brownstone fronts, which is why people often use “brownstone” as shorthand for a particular kind of New York row house. Other row houses use brick, limestone, marble, stucco, or different stone. The publisher description for Bricks & Brownstone: The New York Row House, 1783–1929 treats the two subjects as closely related while covering changing architectural styles and details. Readers who want a deeper reference can explore this row-house architecture book; the book is an architectural and historical reference, not a home-buying guide.
Why were row houses built?
American cities adopted blocks of uniform attached houses by the late eighteenth century. According to National Park Service historic-context material, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were among the major cities where the form appeared, and attached dwellings became common in crowded older cities because they used urban land economically.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRow houses addressed several pressures at once:
- Expensive land: Narrow lots allowed more homes to fit along a block.
- Construction efficiency: Shared party walls reduced the number of exposed exterior walls required for each home. The American Planning Association’s 1962 report also discussed efficiencies associated with fewer windows and smaller lots; those observations should not be mistaken for a present-day construction-cost estimate.
- A defined street edge: Repeated facades created a continuous frontage that supported dense urban neighborhoods.
- Private domestic space: Each household could have its own entrance, floors, rooms, and sometimes a small yard or rear outdoor area rather than living in a single apartment unit.
- Different levels of housing: Builders could adapt the form for working-class households, middle-class families, or wealthy residents by changing the size, materials, ornament, and interior finish.
Row houses are strongly associated with Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Washington, Boston, and parts of Chicago, but the form is not limited to those places. Local materials, climate, building codes, lot sizes, wealth, and construction period produced many regional variations.
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How did row houses vary by city and period?
Row houses may appear as Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Victorian, or Queen Anne buildings, among many other architectural variations. Some were modest brick worker housing; others had elaborate stone or brownstone fronts, bay windows, cornices, stoops, and decorative ironwork.
Pullman, Chicago, demonstrates how the attached form could serve a planned company town. The National Park Service account of Pullman describes 1880s rowhomes that varied in size and amenities for workers at different levels. The brick buildings included small front yards and Queen Anne-influenced design elements. Pullman is a case study, not a universal model for every row house.
What does the inside of a row house look like?
The inside of a historic row house is often narrow and deep, with rooms arranged from the front of the building toward the rear and stairs connecting several floors. Because the home generally has exterior exposure at the front and back but not along the sides, circulation, light, and ventilation require a more linear plan than in a detached house.
A representative historic arrangement may include:
- An entry hall or stair hall near the front door.
- A front parlor or living room.
- A dining room farther toward the rear.
- A kitchen or service area at the back.
- Bedrooms and bathrooms on upper floors.
- A basement, cellar, attic, rear extension, light well, or small rear yard, depending on the city and construction period.
The National Park Service’s representative rowhouse description includes a stair hall, parlor, dining room, rear kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. That example helps explain the form without establishing one universal interior plan. Modern renovations may open rooms, move kitchens, add bathrooms, or convert attics and basements, subject to local codes and the building’s structure.
Which architectural features matter in an older row house?
Outside, readers may notice repeated front doors, window bays, stoops, railings, cornices, lintels, sills, bay windows, masonry facades, narrow front yards, rear yards, extensions, alleys, and closely aligned rooflines. The most important features vary by building, neighborhood, and period.
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Inside, potentially character-defining features include the original floor plan, entry hall, parlors, dining rooms, primary staircase, fireplaces, mantelpieces, trim, baseboards, doors, windows, floors, and historic hardware. The National Park Service guidance on primary and secondary interior spaces generally treats these elements as more significant to historic character than rooms that often accommodate more intervention, such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, basements, and attics.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a row house?
Row-house living can suit someone who wants a private entrance and multiple floors in a dense, connected neighborhood, but shared walls, stairs, limited side windows, and preservation obligations can create meaningful tradeoffs.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11| Consideration | Possible row-house advantage | Possible row-house tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | A private entrance and private interior can provide more separation than a typical apartment. | Shared party walls may transmit sound from neighboring homes. |
| Space | Multiple floors can separate living, sleeping, storage, and work areas. | Narrow rooms and staircases can make furniture movement and accessibility difficult. |
| Outdoor space | A home may include a small front yard, rear yard, court, roof area, or extension. | Side-yard space is often minimal or nonexistent. |
| Light and ventilation | Front and rear windows, skylights, courtyards, and light wells can serve the interior. | Deep floor plans and shared side walls may limit side windows, daylight, and cross-ventilation. |
| Maintenance | There may be fewer exposed exterior walls than on a detached house. | Roofs, masonry, party walls, chimneys, foundations, and rear additions can require specialized or coordinated work. |
| Location | Older rows are often part of connected, walkable urban neighborhoods. | Parking, traffic, density, and limited private outdoor space may not suit every household. |
| Character | Historic details can provide distinctive architectural character. | Landmark, historic-district, design-review, or association rules may limit exterior changes. |
Row houses are not automatically cheaper, quieter, more energy-efficient, or more valuable than detached houses. Outcomes depend on location, construction quality, insulation, maintenance, ownership structure, local market conditions, and the specific building.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does a row house compare with an apartment or detached house?
A row house occupies a middle ground in many people’s experience: it may offer a private entrance and multiple levels like a detached home while sharing walls and using a compact urban lot like an apartment building or attached development.
| Feature | Row house | Apartment | Detached house |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shares walls | Usually shares one or both side walls with neighboring homes. | Usually shares walls, ceilings, or floors with multiple units. | Usually has no shared walls with another dwelling. |
| Entrance | Often has a private street-facing entrance. | May have a shared building entrance, corridor, or private exterior entrance. | Usually has a private entrance and a private parcel. |
| Typical vertical layout | Often spans multiple floors. | May occupy one floor or several, depending on the building. | May be one or multiple floors. |
| Outdoor space | Often limited to a small front or rear area, court, roof, or balcony. | May have shared grounds, a balcony, or no private outdoor area. | Usually has more private yard area, although lot sizes vary. |
| Noise exposure | Primarily from neighboring units through party walls. | Can come through side walls, ceilings, floors, corridors, and shared systems. | Usually less exposure through walls, though neighborhood and street noise remain possible. |
| Maintenance | May involve individual and shared responsibilities for connected building systems. | Often divided between the unit owner or tenant and a landlord, condominium, or association. | The owner commonly carries responsibility for the building and lot. |
| Rules | May be subject to historic-preservation, association, condominium, or local building rules. | May be subject to landlord, condominium, or building rules. | May still face zoning, landmark, neighborhood, or association rules. |
The best choice depends on priorities such as walkability, privacy, stairs, outdoor space, tolerance for shared walls, mobility needs, budget, and willingness to maintain an older building. No housing form is universally better.
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What should you check before renovating a historic row house?
Before altering an older row house, determine whether the property is individually landmarked, located in a historic district, or subject to local design-review and permit requirements. Rules vary by jurisdiction, and federal preservation guidance does not replace local legal, engineering, or building-permit advice.
- Check the property’s status: Contact the local preservation office or planning department before designing exterior work. New York City owners can consult the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s rowhouse manual, which explains maintenance and the commission process for exterior alterations.
- Document existing conditions: Photograph and record original trim, stairs, fireplaces, windows, doors, floors, hardware, masonry, roof elements, and the floor plan before demolition or stripping finishes.
- Evaluate connected systems: Have a qualified professional assess party walls, roofs, chimneys, masonry, foundations, drainage, and rear additions as parts of an interconnected building system.
- Prioritize significant features: Avoid removing historic stairs, fireplaces, trim, doors, windows, or the original floor plan without a clear preservation and functional rationale.
- Plan flexible spaces carefully: Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, basements, and attics may often allow more intervention than primary historic spaces, but changes should still respect the building’s overall character and structure.
- Confirm approvals: Obtain the permits, landmark approvals, association permissions, and professional evaluations required for the particular property and jurisdiction.
Preservation is not the same as refusing every change. A sound renovation can improve safety, accessibility, services, and comfort while retaining the features that explain how the row house was designed and used.
What is the simplest way to identify a row house?
Look for an individual dwelling that forms part of a side-by-side line of attached homes, shares party walls with neighbors, and usually has its own entrance. A repeated facade, narrow lot, multiple floors, and little or no side yard are strong clues, but the shared attached arrangement remains the essential test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are row houses connected?
Yes. A row house is typically connected side by side to neighboring homes, and the homes commonly share party walls. Each unit can still have its own entrance and private interior.
What is the difference between a row house and a townhouse?
Many row houses are townhouses, but the terms are not perfectly interchangeable. “Row house” often suggests a continuous historic urban row, while “townhouse” can also describe newer attached homes in a planned development or smaller group.
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No. A brownstone usually describes a brown sandstone facade or a New York housing style associated with that material, while row house describes an attached housing arrangement. Row houses can also have brick, limestone, marble, stucco, or other facades.
What does the inside of a row house look like?
A historic row house commonly has a narrow, deep plan, a front entry or stair hall, a front parlor, a dining room, a rear kitchen, and bedrooms and bathrooms on upper floors. Actual layouts vary by city, period, and renovation history.
The Bottom Line
A row house is a private home in a continuous line of attached houses that share party walls. The form combines private entrances and often multiple floors with dense urban land use, but the exact appearance, ownership model, maintenance duties, and preservation rules vary by location and building age.
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