The floor area ratio (FAR) is the ratio of the floor area, excluding the areas described below, of all principal and accessory buildings on a site to the site area. To calculate the FAR, floor area is divided by site area, and typically expressed as a decimal. For example, if the floor area of all buildings on a site totals 20,000 square feet, and the site area is 10,000 square feet, the FAR is expressed as 2.0. See Chapter 17.136 for additional regulations that apply to existing structures. The following are excluded from the floor area when calculating FAR.
(1) Garages and carports. 500 square feet for a single-family residence; 800 square feet for garage space for a duplex; and 400 square feet for a townhouse constructed as a series of single-family dwellings.
(2) Parking for multi-family structures. Parking areas located below finished grade or finished floor of habitable space where the vertical distance between finished grade and finished floor of the parking level is five feet or more. Structured parking areas located above finished grade where the vertical distance between finished grade and the floor of the parking level is five feet or less.
FIGURE 17.010 (H): DETERMINING FLOOR AREA RATIO
(Ord. 885, passed 11-1- 2023)