Building Footprint in Square Feet

What is a Building Footprint?

A building footprint is the area of land covered by a building when viewed from above. It represents the outline of a structure on the ground, measured in square feet. Building footprints are important for zoning regulations, property development, and determining building coverage ratios.

Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) is the percentage of a lot that is covered by buildings. It’s calculated by dividing the building footprint area by the total lot area and multiplying by 100.

Building Footprint Calculator

Select Building Shape:

Length (feet):

Width (feet):

Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) Calculator

Total Lot Area (square feet):

Building Footprint Visualization

How to Calculate Building Footprint

Rectangle

For a rectangular building:

Area = Length × Width

L-Shape

For an L-shaped building, calculate the areas of the two rectangles separately and add them together:

Area = (Main Length × Main Width) + (Extension Length × Extension Width)

Custom Polygon

For a custom polygon, use the Shoelace formula (also known as the Surveyor’s formula):

Area = 0.5 × |∑(x_i × y_i+1 – x_i+1 × y_i)|

Where (x_i, y_i) are the coordinates of the polygon vertices.

Building Coverage Ratio (BCR)

BCR is calculated as:

BCR = (Building Footprint Area ÷ Total Lot Area) × 100%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a building footprint?

A building footprint is the area of land covered by a building when viewed from above. It represents the border of a building drawn along the exterior walls to create a polygon that shows the total area of the building.

Why is building footprint important?

Building footprints are essential in urban planning and zoning regulations. They help determine the density of development, ensure sufficient open space on a property, and maintain the character of a neighborhood. They’re also used for property assessment, taxation, and insurance purposes.

What is the Building Coverage Ratio (BCR)?

The Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) is a measure of how much of a property’s lot is occupied by the building itself. It’s calculated by dividing the building footprint area by the total lot area and expressing it as a percentage. Many municipalities have regulations that limit the maximum BCR allowed in different zones.

Do overhangs and eaves count in the building footprint?

This depends on local building codes and regulations. In some jurisdictions, only the area where the building touches the ground is counted. In others, the projection of eaves and overhangs may be included in the building footprint calculation.

How is building footprint different from floor area?

Building footprint measures only the area of land covered by the building, while floor area measures the total usable space within a building across all levels. For a single-story building, they might be similar, but for multi-story buildings, the floor area will be significantly larger than the footprint.

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