Residential Drafting services in Sydney tells you: The difference between floor space ratio and landscape ratio

We came across to a lot of potential clients that a common question they have is:

"What's floor space ratio and how is that different to landscape ratio?"

Today, this article will help you unfold the difference between the two and how they can signficantly impact your residential new home design or a home extension project.

Quickly, what is floor space ratio (or FSR):

FSR is the ratio of a building's total floor area (Gross Floor Area) to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built. In general forms, each council has its specific floor space ratio given to each piece of land; and depending on the type of zoning your block of land is situated, this floor space ratio may varies.

For general Low Density Residential (R2) areas, the most common ratios are 0.4:1, 0.45:1 or 0.5:1. If you are lucky enough to be located in the generous area such as the St George Area or the Hornsby Area, some councils can offers a better ratio of 0.6:1 as your floor space ratio.

How does it work?

Imagine you have a land size of 1000 sqm, with a floor space ratio of 0.45:1, it is equivalent to 450 sqm of space that you can build a building. 

What is landscape ratio?

Similar to the FSR, each council has specific requirements to landscape area; this control seeks to maintain and enhance the existing landscaped character of the area. High landscape quality, the presence of established canopy trees and remnant bushland are essential for a harmonious living environment. Landscapes like grass area, paving, soil area, trees and shrubs all counted towards the calculation of landscape ratio.

Difference between impervious landscape vs pervious landscape?

Some councils are more strict than others. There are situations where councils request a minimum percentage of "impervious landscape". In cases like this, impervious landscape refers to "soft" landscape with no artifical "add on" floorings.

For instance; grass, soils area and trees are considered as impervious landscape whilst paved flooring, tiled floorings and concrete floors are equivalent to pervious landscape.

Tips: Remember all councils have their own set of rules and regulations, always check with a residential design specialist before you go too far with your "dream" house design.

If you have no idea in mind of what you could do to your home, talk to us! We provide guidelines and design ideas of how and what you can do, for instance, residential extensions in penshurst or residential etensions in sutherland shire, we also have new home designers in Penshurst to assist knock down and rebuild.  Working with the locals, we are located in Penshurst and are ready to meet you to go through a residential drafting design for you. 
If you are seriously concerned about not being able to afford any potential design work, let us meet you first and guide you different ways that you can still achieve a design in a much affordable way. You may be surprise on what you can do!

As a residential drafting service company in Penshurst and Sutherland Shire, do not hesitate to call or visit us.