Question

In zoning analysis, how does a &#x27;floor area ratio&#x27; (FAR) restriction directly limit the maximum buildable square footage on a specific land parcel?

Accepted Answer

A floor area ratio, or FAR, is a numerical value that represents the mathematical relationship between the total square footage of all floors in a building and the total square footage of the land parcel upon which it sits. To determine the maximum buildable square footage, multiply the FAR assigned to a parcel by the total area of the lot. For example, if a parcel measures 10,000 square feet and has an FAR of 2.0, the maximum allowable building area is 20,000 square feet. This restriction limits building size regardless of the structure&#x27;s footprint or height, as the total area is calculated by summing the floor plates of every story. If a developer builds a one-story structure covering the entire 10,000-square-foot lot, the FAR is 1.0. If the developer builds a two-story structure where each floor covers 10,000 square feet, the total square footage is 20,000, resulting in an FAR of 2.0. By setting an FAR limit, a zoning authority strictly caps the total interior density permitted on a piece of property, which in turn influences building massing and land use intensity.

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In zoning analysis, how does a 'floor area ratio' (FAR) restriction directly limit the maximum buildable square footage on a specific land parcel?