Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Right-of-Way • Community Engagement • Walkability

Floor Area Ratio

Term from Urban Planning industry explained for recruiters

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a basic measurement tool used in urban planning and real estate development. It shows how much building space can be constructed on a piece of land compared to the land's size. Think of it like a recipe that tells developers how 'dense' they can make their buildings. For example, if a site has a FAR of 2.0, it means the total floor space of the building can be twice the size of the land it sits on. This could be a two-story building covering the whole lot, or a four-story building covering half the lot. Urban planners use FAR to control building size and neighborhood density. You might also see it called "Floor Space Ratio" (FSR) or "Plot Ratio" in some job descriptions.

Examples in Resumes

Analyzed Floor Area Ratio requirements for 15 mixed-use development projects

Created zoning recommendations including Floor Space Ratio adjustments for downtown revitalization

Conducted studies of existing Plot Ratio patterns to inform new development guidelines

Successfully negotiated FAR bonuses for including affordable housing units in development plans

Typical job title: "Urban Planners"

Also try searching for:

Urban Planner City Planner Zoning Specialist Land Use Planner Development Review Planner Planning Consultant Zoning Administrator

Where to Find Urban Planners

Professional Organizations

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Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a developer's request for a Floor Area Ratio variance?

Expected Answer: A senior planner should discuss the process of evaluating the request against zoning codes, considering community impact, preparing staff reports, and presenting recommendations to planning boards or city councils. They should mention public engagement and negotiating community benefits.

Q: How do you use Floor Area Ratio to promote sustainable development?

Expected Answer: Should explain how FAR can be used as a tool to encourage mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, and affordable housing through bonus programs and incentives, while maintaining neighborhood character.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you calculate Floor Area Ratio and what factors might be excluded?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic formula (total floor area divided by lot area) and common exclusions like parking areas, mechanical rooms, or certain types of outdoor spaces.

Q: What are the pros and cons of using FAR versus other development controls?

Expected Answer: Should discuss how FAR compares to height limits, setbacks, and coverage requirements, explaining when each tool might be more appropriate for different development scenarios.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is Floor Area Ratio and why is it important in urban planning?

Expected Answer: Should explain that FAR is a tool to control building density and describe how it helps manage development intensity in different zones of a city.

Q: How might different FARs affect neighborhood character?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of how different FAR values can result in different building forms and how this impacts neighborhood appearance and function.