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Calcimator

Zoning Density Calculator

Calculate maximum units per acre based on zoning code density limits and minimum lot sizes.

Inputs

acres
DU/acre
SF
%
SF

Results

Max Allowed Units

84

Effective Density

5.6 DU/acre

Units (Density Limit)120
Units (Lot Size Limit)84
Net Density8.62 DU/acre
Net Buildable Acres9.75
Floor Area Ratio0.23
Max Building Footprint75,600 SF
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Total Site Acreage and Maximum Units per Acre from the zoning code.
  2. Set Minimum Lot Size in square feet as an additional constraint.
  3. Enter Net-to-Gross Ratio % — the share of gross area that is net buildable after infrastructure deductions.
  4. Set Average Unit Size in square feet and Number of Stories.
  5. Review Max Allowed Units — the lesser of the density-based and lot-size-based limits.
  6. Use Effective Density in your pro forma and compare against market-rate development in the area.

How the result changes with Total Site Acreage

Total Site AcreageMax Allowed UnitsEffective Density
5002,8315.66 DU/acre
1,7509,9095.66 DU/acre
3,25018,4045.66 DU/acre
4,50025,4825.66 DU/acre

What each input means

Total Site Acreage
Total site area in acres.
Max Units per Acre
Maximum dwelling units per acre allowed by zoning.
Minimum Lot Size
Minimum lot size required by zoning code.
Net-to-Gross Ratio
Percentage of gross area that is net buildable (after roads, open space).
Average Unit Size
Average building area per unit.
Number of Stories
Number of stories for building footprint calculation.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total Site Acreage = 15, Max Units per Acre = 8, Minimum Lot Size = 5000, Net-to-Gross Ratio = 65 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Max Allowed Units
    Max Allowed Units
    84 = 84
  3. Calculate Effective Density
    Effective Density
    5.6 = 5.6
  4. Calculate Units
    Units
    120 = 120
  5. Calculate Units
    Units
    84 = 84

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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