Calculating or finding out FAR
I am trying to figure out how to find out the FAR allowance (if there is any) on a brownstone we are considering. I have heard of the 1.35 calculation – is this always accurate? B/c if so, the place is already above far and we likely can’t do anything to it. But the realtor…
I am trying to figure out how to find out the FAR allowance (if there is any) on a brownstone we are considering. I have heard of the 1.35 calculation – is this always accurate? B/c if so, the place is already above far and we likely can’t do anything to it. But the realtor told me that there is a FAR allowance of 640sq ft. (Of course, realtors lie- I know that).
I’m just wondering where, besides Property Shark, I can actually find this information. (I tried on Prop. Shark but they not only make you subscribe, they also make it unclear what you should subscribe to, in order to get that info).
Any advice on how to get this info would be helpful!
OP here- thanks for all of the info, links, etc.!
Based on the zoning and some of the other restrictions laid out on 5:17’s links, it seems that this particular property does have buildable space. But it sounds like there are other considerations (sold air rights, etc.) that I guess are still unknown and an architect would be the right call.
Do you know how much an architect would charge for this type of assessment? We don’t own this property (are considering buying it, with the hope to add the extension) so I’m not willing to shell out major $ just to get this answer. Any further insight would be appreciated!
its based on a lot of factors, quality housing is one big issue, zoning, base and height, blah blah, blah. hire a zoning consultant or architect
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/glossary.shtml#floor
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/zone/zh_tables.pdf#r4-r5
u welcome.
What is the “1.35 calculation”? (For that matter, what is an FAR “allowance”? – Do you mean allowable FAR?)
Try Oasisnet.
http://www.oasisnyc.net/oasismap.htm
PropertyShark.com is a great starting point for FAR, but it is important to see if air rights have been traded to neighboring buildings as well. PropertyShark.com also has zoning maps btw.
I wouldn’t trust Property Shark. You need an architect.
You can find the zoning map, which will tell you what zoning district you are in, then you can read the zoning resolution to find out how much FAR you can have. If you no how many Square Feet the house really is, you can then calculate how much is left over.
Never mind- I paid the Property Shark fee and got the info. Thanks!