floor area ratio

Definition

The ratio of total building floor area to the size of the land parcel, expressed as a decimal that determines building bulk. A FAR of 2.0 means you can build twice the square footage of your lot, just stack it up.

Example Usage

With a FAR of 3.0 on their 10,000 square foot lot, the developers could build up to 30,000 square feet across multiple floors.

Origin

Urban planning and zoning terminology, popularized in U.S. cities during 1960s comprehensive zoning reforms

Fun Fact

Manhattan's highest FAR is in Midtown, where some parcels allow ratios of 15 or more, enabling the iconic skyscraper skyline.

Source: Municipal zoning ordinances

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