Los Angeles FAR Calculator

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the total floor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the lot area. It's one of the most important zoning controls — it determines how much total building you can have on your property, regardless of how you distribute it.

For example, on a 5,000 sqft lot with a FAR limit of 0.45:

• Maximum total floor area = 5,000 × 0.45 = 2,250 sqft
• That could be a single-story 2,250 sqft home
• Or a two-story home: 1,250 sqft ground floor + 1,000 sqft second floor
• Or any combination — FAR controls total area, not shape

FAR is different from lot coverage (which only counts the footprint) and height limits (which control how tall). You need to comply with all three independently. A building can be within FAR limits but exceed lot coverage, or vice versa.

This varies by city, which is why FAR can be tricky. Generally:

• Usually counts:All enclosed habitable space, hallways, stairways, closets, interior walls
• Often counts:Attached garages (varies by city), enclosed porches, basements with windows
• Sometimes:Covered patios (if more than 50% enclosed), accessory structures over a certain size
• Usually exempt:Uncovered decks, detached garages under 400 sqft (some cities), unfinished attics, mechanical rooms

Critical: ADUs are typically exempt from FAR calculations under California state law. Cities cannot use FAR limits to deny a conforming ADU. Check with our ADU Eligibility Checker for details.

• Single-family (R1):0.35 – 0.50 (most common: 0.45)
• Low-density (R2):0.50 – 0.60
• Multi-family (R3+):0.60 – 3.0+ (depends on density bonus)
• Hillside zones:0.25 – 0.40 (stricter to preserve character)

Note: California's Density Bonus Law allows developers to exceed FAR limits by up to 50% in exchange for including affordable units. This is separate from standard zoning FAR.