Floor Area Ratios: A Tool for Municipal Planners
1. Introduction:
Floor area ratios (FARs) are a tool that municipal planners use to control the size and density of buildings in a given area. FARs are calculated by dividing the total floor area of a building by the total land area of the lot on which it is built. The resulting number is then expressed as a ratio, such as 1:5 or 2.5:1.
Municipalities typically have zoning ordinances that establish maximum FARs for different types of development in different parts of the city. For example, downtown areas may have higher FARs than residential neighborhoods in order to allow for more density and taller buildings. Or, an industrial area might have a lower FAR than a downtown area in order to limit the size of buildings and prevent too much encroachment into residential areas.
2. What are floor area ratios?
Floor area ratios (FARs) are a tool that municipal planners use to control the size and density of buildings in a given area. FARs are calculated by dividing the total floor area of a building by the total land area of the lot on which it is built. The resulting number is then expressed as a ratio, such as 1:5 or 2.5:1.
3. How are floor area ratios used to restrict construction?
Municipalities typically have zoning ordinances that establish maximum FARs for different types of development in different parts of the city. For example, downtown areas may have higher FARs than residential neighborhoods in order to allow for more density and taller buildings. Or, an industrial area might have a lower FAR than a downtown area in order to limit the size of buildings and prevent too much encroachment into residential areas.
4. What are the implications of severe restrictions on construction?
If municipalities severely restrict the amount of construction that can take place in an area through low FARs, it can lead to a number of negative consequences. First, it can limit the economic growth and development of an area by making it difficult or impossible for businesses to expand or relocate there. Second, it can result in a housing crisis as demand for housing outpaces supply, leading to soaring prices and displacement of residents who can no longer afford to live there. Third, it can create an unsafe and unhealthy living environment if homes and businesses are overcrowded and there is not enough space for people to move around freely or access green space and fresh air.
5. Are there any other ways to use floor area ratios?
In addition to using FARs to restrict construction, municipalities can also use them to encourage certain types of development. For example, they can offer bonus FARs as an incentive for developers to include affordable housing units in their projects or to build green infrastructure such as solar panels or rain gardens. Or, they could establish minimum FARs in order to ensure that new developments are of a certain size and density.
6. Conclusion:
Floor Area Ratios (FAR) offer many benefits for those looking to control architecture and construction within their municipality; from limiting overly-excessive construction projects that may infringe upon surrounding neighbors, ensuring new developments meet minimum standards, or providing an incentive for developers include affordable housing or green infrastructure in their plans. There are many things to consider when it comes crafting policy around FAR including what types of development should