# Mezzanines in Max Gross SF Questions

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/mezzanines-in-max-gross-sf-questions/3515>\
**Category:** Programming & Analysis\
**Created:** [September 17, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/mezzanines-in-max-gross-sf-questions/3515 "2021-09-17T21:36:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sillscai](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/9.png) [@sillscai](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/sillscai)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/mezzanines-in-max-gross-sf-questions/3515/1 "2021-09-17T21:36:26Z")

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Hello there!

I’m looking for clarification on one of the Practice Quiz Questions, Number 67 from April 26th, 2021:

_The following restrictions are found in a municipal zoning ordinance:_  
_Floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5_  
_Maximum lot coverage: 7,250 sf_

_A client is considering a building site that has 20,000 square feet of gross area. The site has a special historic district overlay that limits buildings to 4 stories._

_ **What is the maximum gross square footage of the building allowed?** _

_Answer: The answer is **29,000** _

_First find the total allowable square footage by taking the gross site area times the FAR._  
_20,000 sf x 1.5 = 30,000 sf_

_Now divide the total area allowed by the area allowed per floor._  
_30,000 sf / 7,250 sf = 4.1_

_Since only 4 stories are allowed, the maximum area of the building is the lot coverage times 4 which is 29,000 sf._

I thought the answer to this question might still be 30,000 total gross square feet. While Lot Coverage x 4 Stories equals 29,000 SF, this is only 1,000 SF less than 30,000, and there is nothing in the question to believe a mezzanine might not be allowed. With 4 Stories, each floor plate could be up to the Maximum Lot Coverage of 7,250 SF, meaning a mezzanine could be up to 2,416 SF and not count as an additional story (one third of 7,250, rounded down), but still be included in gross square feet.

If a question like this comes up, where Lot Coverage produces less SF than FAR, are we supposed to ignore the possibility of a mezzanine, for a more cut and dry answer? Would the ARE itself include verbiage to indicate if mezzanines may or may not be utilized?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![coachdarionziegler](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/coachdarionziegler/32/1272_2.png) [@coachdarionziegler](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/coachdarionziegler)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/mezzanines-in-max-gross-sf-questions/3515/2 "2021-09-19T16:42:08Z")

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Hi @sillscai ,

Thanks for posting! @coachchrishopstock can you please provide additional explanation on this question?

Thanks,  
-Darion

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**Author:** ![eyan50495](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/23.png) [@eyan50495](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/eyan50495)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/mezzanines-in-max-gross-sf-questions/3515/3 "2021-10-06T17:49:34Z")

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That’s good point! I didn’t think about it that way but you could absolutely utilize the max floor area with a mezzanine. And the additional 1k SF is within a typical 1/3 to not be considered a floor.

I would say you might be overthinking the question but NCARB should have said “do not take into account a mezzanine”.