American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

If a permitted FAR of 2 is applied, how much floor space can be constructed on 40,000 square feet of land?

1. 8,000 square feet

2. 80,000 square feet

3. 800,000 square feet

4. 4,000 square feet

The correct answer is: 80,000 square feet

The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a measure used in land use planning that indicates the relationship between the total building floor area and the area of the land upon which it is built. The calculation for determining the total allowable floor space is straightforward: you multiply the area of the land by the FAR. In this scenario, a permitted FAR of 2 means that for every square foot of land, up to 2 square feet of building floor space can be constructed. If the land area is 40,000 square feet, the calculation to determine the maximum allowable floor area is: 40,000 square feet (land area) x 2 (FAR) = 80,000 square feet. This means that on a 40,000 square foot plot of land, one can construct a total of 80,000 square feet of floor space. Thus, the answer that states one can build 80,000 square feet of floor space on the land with a FAR of 2 is correct. Understanding this calculation is essential for planners as it helps them ensure that developments comply with zoning regulations and optimize land use in planning initiatives.