To get your commercial construction project approved by the zoning board in Miami-Dade, it must meet certain requirements. One of them is being in compliance with the city’s floor area ratio requirements for the district within which it resides.

What is Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?

Floor area ratio measures a building’s overall usable floor area in relation to the size of lot/parcel on which the building will sit. It is calculated by dividing the total area of the building by the total area of the parcel. In general, higher ratios indicate denser construction.

FAR is an important factor when it comes to zoning requirements in a given city. In conjunction with things like building height, appearance and other construction requirements, it is used to determine community development plans and the best use of land for a given area.

FAR Requirements in Miami-Dade County

Zoning requirements for floor area ratio vary from city to city and development to development. The floor area limitations for Miami-Dade can be found here.

By way of example, the floor area limitations for non-residential uses in SD-5 Brickell Avenue Area Office-Residential District shall not exceed 3.25 times the gross lot area. By comparison, the SD-4 Waterfront Industrial District has a floor area ratio that shall not exceed 1.72 times the gross lot area. The differences in FAR indicate differences in urban density by district.

As you plan your commercial development project, it’s essential to know what limitations you will be working with in terms of zoning requirements for your lot, FAR, building height and appearance, etc. Our team at Seacoast Construction can help. We have been building commercial and luxury residential homes in South Florida for more than two decades and can help you achieve an exceptional build that meets your budget, timeline and goals. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.