Introducing Our Free NYC “Air Rights” Calculator
- Christopher Daniels
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Instantly Estimate Your Property’s Zoning Floor Area (ZFA)
Understanding how much you can build on a property in New York City isn’t always straightforward. Zoning regulations, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and residential equivalency rules can make even simple development questions time-consuming—and expensive—to answer.
That’s why we built our Free NYC Air Rights Calculator.
This tool gives property owners, investors, and developers a quick way to estimate a site’s total allowable Zoning Floor Area (ZFA)—often referred to as buildable square footage or “air rights.” Information like this is typically locked behind paywalls or requires professional zoning reports. Here, it’s completely free.
What the Air Rights Calculator Does
Our calculator estimates the maximum buildable floor area permitted on a zoning lot based on its zoning designation and lot size.
Specifically, it provides:
Residential FAR
Commercial FAR
Residential equivalent FAR for commercial zoning districts
Total allowable Zoning Floor Area/ Buildable Square Feet (ZFA / BSF)
Max Stories allowed to be built
Max number of residential units allowed
This makes it easy to quickly understand development potential for property within all five boroughs, including mixed-use sites, commercial corridors, and rezoned areas, without digging through zoning resolutions or secondary sources.
Residential Equivalent FAR for Commercial Zoning
One of the most confusing aspects of NYC zoning is how commercial districts allow residential development—often at a different FAR than pure residential zones.
Our tool automatically accounts for this by calculating the residential equivalent FAR for commercial zoning districts, helping you answer questions like:
How much residential square footage could be built on a C-zoned lot?
Does residential yield more buildable area than commercial use?
What zoning option maximizes development potential?
This insight is especially valuable for development sites in Queens, Brooklyn, and transit-oriented corridors, where rezoning and mixed-use development are common.
Why We Built This Tool
Most zoning data platforms charge monthly fees or hide critical FAR information behind paywalls. But understanding buildable square footage shouldn’t be limited to large developers or consultants.
We built this calculator to:
Increase transparency in NYC zoning
Empower property owners and investors
Speed up early-stage feasibility analysis
Eliminate unnecessary upfront costs
Whether you’re evaluating a development site, planning an expansion, or just exploring a property’s potential, this tool gives you instant clarity.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate based on zoning FAR rules only. It does not account for:
Lot coverage limits
Height and setback requirements
Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH)
Special district regulations
Landmark or environmental restrictions
For full due diligence, a professional zoning analysis is always recommended.
Try the Free Air Rights Calculator
If you’ve ever wondered “How much can I really build here?”—this tool is for you.
Use the Free NYC Air Rights (FAR) Calculator
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