Lot Coverage Calculator
Compare a building footprint with the total lot area. Use it as a preliminary planning number, then verify the local zoning definition.
Calculate your estimate
What is lot coverage?
Answer first: lot coverage is the percentage of a parcel occupied by a building footprint or other features counted by a local code. A simple building-only estimate is building footprint ÷ lot area × 100.
Example
A 2,200 sq ft building footprint on a 10,000 sq ft lot equals 22% coverage. Local planning rules may count garages, covered patios, pools, paving or accessory structures differently, so check the local definition before using the percentage for permitting.
Lot coverage formula and worked example
Lot coverage % = counted footprint ÷ lot area × 100
Total parcel area used as the denominator.
The simple calculation leaves 7,800 sq ft outside that footprint.
The difficult part is deciding what counts
The arithmetic is simple; the zoning definition is not. One jurisdiction may define building coverage differently from impervious coverage and may treat porches, accessory buildings, pools, patios or paving differently. Enter only the area that matches the rule you are actually checking.
Use AcreSketch for early screening, not a permit verdict
If you are considering a new garage, pool, addition or shed, use the property planner to understand geometry and space trade-offs first. Then obtain the local coverage limit and definition before treating the percentage as a compliance result.
Frequently asked questions
Is lot coverage the same as floor area ratio (FAR)?
No. Lot coverage compares ground footprint with lot area. FAR generally compares total floor area across levels with lot area.
Do driveways count toward lot coverage?
It depends on the local zoning code. Some jurisdictions distinguish building coverage from impervious surface coverage.
Can I use acres instead of square feet?
Yes if both lot area and footprint use the same area unit; the percentage is unit-independent.