Lot coverage

Lot coverage is the percentage of a zoning lot covered by buildings, and the bulk control that limits it. Where a maximum coverage applies, it caps the footprint regardless of remaining floor-area budget — the balance of the lot stays open as yards and other required open space. Coverage rules frequently distinguish corner lots from interior lots, reflecting the different light-and-air geometry of each.

Coverage interacts with FAR to shape buildings: a lot with generous FAR but tight coverage must build taller and slimmer, while permissive coverage lets the same floor area spread low and wide. Confusing the two is a common analytical error — coverage measures footprint share; FAR measures total floor area stacked on the lot.