floor area ratio (FAR)

 

The relationship between the above-ground floor area of a building, as described by the building code, and the area of the plot on which it stands; in planning and zoning, often expressed as a decimal, e.g., a ratio of 2.0 indicates that the permissible floor area of a building is twice the total land area.  See also land-to-building ratio.

 

Question: The floor area ratio adopted by a local government as part of its zoning ordinance is 4:1.  What is the MAXIMUM height a building could be constructed if the structure covers one-third of the land?

 

Answer:  Since zoning limits the building to size to 4 times the size of the land, the building's maximum height is 12 stories.

 

Example: The site is 24,000 square feet.  The building footprint is 6,000 square feet.  6,000 square feet times 12 stories is 96,000 square feet which is exactly 4 times the area of the site.

 

Modified:  9/7/2009

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