|
Density This is the calculation that is usually used in multi-family residential projects such as apartments, condominiums, town-houses, etc. to determine the number of units you may place on a particular property. The calculation is usually expressed as "units" per acre. A "unit" may be defined differently in each jurisdiction but is typically based on number of bedrooms in one unit. An example might be that a one-bedroom apartment would count as 0.6 units and a two-bedroom apartment might count as 1.5 units, etc. How densely you can pack a particular site will depend on the zone you are in, and the particular ordinances within that zone. But the first step, obviously is to get an accurate calculation of the square footage, or acreage of your parcel. For parcels with irregular and/or curving property lines, this can be challenging. Computer programs come in particularly handy for making this calculation. Once you have the acreage figure, then you can divide that figure by the various "units" you may want to build (one-bedroom, two bedroom, etc.) to get the final allowed density on your property. I offer a low cost feasibility analysis that will, in part, figure this and other zoning issues out for you so you have the basic ground rules for beginning the design process. |