Zoning · Glossary
Floor Area Ratio
Updated 2026-07-18
Floor Area Ratio is the ratio of counted building floor area to lot area. California local codes define which floors, walls, garages, and accessory spaces count, so the same nominal FAR can produce different buildable area by jurisdiction.
What it means
An FAR of 0.50 generally permits counted floor area equal to half the applicable lot area, subject to the code's calculation rules.
Why it matters for land decisions
FAR controls development intensity but does not override height, setbacks, coverage, parking, or environmental constraints.
- Verify countable floor area.
- Test all standards together.
People also ask
Does FAR determine building footprint?
No. A permitted floor area may be distributed over one or more stories, subject to coverage and height limits.
Are garages included in FAR?
Local definitions vary; some include, exclude, or partially exempt garage area.
Official sources
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