Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Name: Upside ADU
Address: Sacramento, CA, US
Telephone: (916) 282-5283
Price range: $$$

Also: FAR

Floor area ratio (FAR) is the ratio of a building's total floor area to the lot size, used to cap how much you can build. California ADU law overrides FAR and lot-coverage limits that would block at least an 800-square-foot ADU — so a tight FAR can't be used to deny a reasonably sized unit.

This state override is why small or already-developed lots can still add an ADU. For attached ADUs, the unit is generally capped at 50% of the main house's floor area.

Go deeper:Sacramento ADU rules & setbacks

Related terms

Lot Coverage Setback

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