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Mastering FAR: The Key to Efficient Site Selection and Property Development

Streamlining Site Selection with FAR-based Market Queries

FAR (Floor Area Ratio) is a metric that indicates the maximum development capacity of a property by comparing its total floor area to the parcel size. Querying a market based on development capacity using FAR can expedite site selection processes by several months.

How Zoning Districts and Property Uses Influence FAR Limits

FAR limits can vary based on zoning districts and intended property uses. For instance, a single parcel might have multiple FAR values in NYC. It will be a higher FAR if the project includes affordable housing. NYC is using FAR to reward more equitable communities.

Balancing Parking Requirements and FAR Allowances for Optimal Profitability

In some cities, parking is part of the FAR allowance, which can be challenging as parking requirements consume up to one-third of the building. If a large portion of a development project uses 30% of the FAR for parking, it could negatively impact its profitability.

Author Olivia Ramos
Founder and CEO of Deepblocks, holds master's degrees in Architecture from Columbia University and Real Estate Development from the University of Miami. Her achievements before Deepblocks include designing Big Data navigation software for the Department of Defense's DARPA Innovation House and graduating from Singularity University's Global Solutions and Accelerator programs.