American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What does Floor Area Ratio (FAR) measure?

1. The height of the building

2. The relationship of building area to lot size

3. The density of living units

4. The total area of land

The correct answer is: The relationship of building area to lot size

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a crucial metric in urban planning and zoning that quantifies the relationship of a building's total floor area to the size of the land it occupies. It is expressed as a ratio calculated by dividing the total floor area of a building by the total area of the lot on which it stands. For example, if a 10,000 square foot building is located on a 5,000 square foot lot, the FAR would be 2.0, indicating that the total building area is twice that of the lot. This measure is significant because it helps planners control building density and use, ensuring that developments fit within the scale and character of their surrounding environment. A higher FAR typically indicates a more intensive use of the land, often associated with taller buildings or multi-story structures, while a lower FAR suggests less density. In contrast, the other options address different concepts: the height of a building is independent of FAR; the density of living units can be influenced by FAR but is not directly measured by it; and the total area of land is simply the size of the parcel without relation to any building area. Thus, understanding FAR as a measure of the relationship between building size and lot size is essential for effective urban planning