What is FAR (Floor Area Ratio)?
FAR is the most important metric in NYC zoning. It determines how much you can build on a lot:
Maximum Floor Area = FAR × Lot Area
Example: A FAR of 6.0 on a 10,000 sq ft lot allows up to 60,000 sq ft of floor area. The building could be 6 stories covering the entire lot, or 12 stories covering half the lot.
NYC zoning assigns different FAR values for different uses: residential, commercial, and community facility. Some districts allow bonuses for affordable housing or public amenities.
RegWatch shows FAR for every property alongside current building area, making it easy to calculate remaining development rights. Look up FAR →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FAR mean in NYC real estate?
FAR (Floor Area Ratio) is the ratio of buildable floor area to lot area. FAR × lot size = maximum buildable square footage.
What is a typical FAR in NYC?
It varies hugely. R1 residential zones may have FAR of 0.5. C6 commercial zones in Midtown can have FAR of 15.0 or higher.
How do I find the FAR for a property?
Search any address on RegWatch to see the zoning FAR, current building area, and remaining development rights.
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