Screening a NYC lot's zoning and FAR before an acquisition
Floor area ratio (FAR) times lot area gives the floor area zoning allows. Compare it with the building that is there now to see roughly how much room is left. It is a screen, not a feasibility study.
Reviewed
The quick screen
- Find the zoning district and any overlay or special district for the lot.
- Note the maximum residential, commercial and community-facility FAR.
- Multiply the relevant FAR by the lot area to get allowed floor area.
- Subtract the existing building area to estimate unused floor area.
What a screen misses
- Height, setback and yard rules can stop you using the full FAR.
- Landmarks, historic districts and special districts add their own limits.
- Rent-regulated units, tenants and existing leases affect what you can do.
- Recent zoning changes may not be in every data snapshot.
Confirm any development plan with an architect or zoning attorney. Hercules shows zoning, FAR and buildable area in the full report as a starting point.