Floor Area Ratio

Also known as: FAR · Floor Space Index (FSI) · Plot Ratio

Definition

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the ratio of a building’s total floor area (gross floor area) to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built. In the Philippines, FAR is a crucial zoning parameter set by local government units (LGUs) in their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) to regulate building density, structural heights, and urban congestion in commercial districts. (Wikipedia, HLURB)

Identities

Source Type	Identity
Wikipedia	Floor area ratio
Wikidata	Q1420108
DBpedia	Floor_area_ratio
ProductOntology	N/A
Wiktionary	ratio
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)	Building laws (Philippines)
MeSH	N/A
NCBI Taxonomy	N/A
AGROVOC	N/A
Google Scholar	Floor Area Ratio zoning building density Philippines gross floor area
ConceptNet	ratio
OpenCyc	N/A

Also Known As

FAR
Floor Space Index (FSI)
Plot Ratio

Examples and Analogies

High-Density Zone: A 1,000-square-meter lot in Makati CBD with an allocated FAR of 16 allows a developer to construct a building with a maximum gross floor area of 16,000 square meters.
Low-Density Zone: A 500-square-meter lot in a residential subdivision with a FAR of 1.5 restricts the builder to a total home size of 750 square meters.

Usage Scenarios

1. Developer Land Valuation

A developer calculates the maximum constructible gross floor area of a property before making a purchase offer, as the FAR directly dictates potential sales revenue.

2. Local Zoning Compliance

An architect submits building plans to the local building official to prove the design complies with the municipal zoning code’s FAR limits.

Strategies

Leverage vertical green design credits or transfer of development rights (TDR) to increase allowable FAR in cities that permit density bonuses.
Conduct structural feasibility studies to maximize building layout efficiency within the allowed FAR footprint.

Security and Safety Measures

Do not exceed the designated FAR, as local building officials will reject the occupancy permit, leading to fines or structural alteration mandates.
Verify local zoning ordinances directly, as FAR parameters can change during periodic CLUP revisions.

Historical Context

FAR regulations were popularized in Philippine cities to prevent the overcrowding of financial centers. The National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) works alongside local zoning codes to enforce these limits.

Challenges and Controversies

Infrastructure Strain

High FAR limits in areas with narrow roads and inadequate sewerage systems can lead to massive traffic jams and utility overloads.

Density Disputes

Developers frequently lobby local zoning boards for variances to increase FAR allocations, leading to conflicts with residential communities.