What does floor area ratio (FAR) represent?

Floor area ratio (FAR) is a crucial metric in land use planning and zoning that quantifies the relationship between the total building area (gross square footage) and the area of the parcel of land (lot size) on which the building sits. It is calculated by dividing the total floor area of the building by the total area of the lot. This ratio is significant for urban planning as it helps to control building density and ensure that development aligns with community goals and infrastructure capabilities.

For instance, a FAR of 1.0 implies that the total floor area of the building is equal to the area of the lot, meaning if a 10,000 square foot lot has a FAR of 1.0, the total building area can be up to 10,000 square feet. A higher FAR indicates more intense development, while a lower FAR promotes lower density.

The other choices represent concepts that do not accurately define FAR. The total height of a building, the market value of a property, and the number of floors in a high-rise relate to different metrics and factors in the real estate and architectural sectors but do not describe the relationship that FAR encapsulates between gross building area and lot size.