1. What is Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a key zoning parameter that determines the maximum amount of floor space that can be built on a property. It represents the relationship between the total floor area of a building and the size of the lot on which it is built.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the FAR formula:

Where:

• \( FAR \) — Floor Area Ratio (unitless)
• \( \text{Total Floor Area} \) — Sum of all floor areas in the building (sq ft)
• \( \text{Lot Area} \) — Total area of the property lot (sq ft)

Explanation: FAR helps regulate building density and massing by controlling the relationship between building size and lot size.

3. Importance of FAR Calculation

Details: FAR is crucial for urban planning, zoning regulations, and determining the development potential of a property. It affects building height, density, and overall urban form.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total floor area and lot area in square feet. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the FAR ratio, which is a unitless value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical FAR value?
A: FAR values vary by zoning district. Residential areas typically have FARs between 0.5-2.0, while commercial districts may have FARs up to 15 or higher in dense urban areas.

Q2: How does FAR affect building design?
A: FAR influences building massing, height, and footprint. A higher FAR allows for more floor area, which can be achieved through taller buildings or larger footprints.

Q3: What's included in Total Floor Area?
A: Typically includes all habitable floors, basements, attics, and mezzanines. Parking garages and mechanical spaces may be excluded depending on local regulations.

Q4: How does FAR differ from lot coverage?
A: FAR measures total floor area relative to lot size, while lot coverage measures the percentage of lot area covered by the building footprint.

Q5: Can FAR be increased?
A: FAR is typically fixed by zoning codes, but some jurisdictions allow increases through zoning variances, bonuses for public amenities, or transfer of development rights.