Quick Answer: Burbank caps how much enclosed floor area a residential lot can support using a tiered floor area ratio (FAR) — a higher percentage on the first portion of a lot’s square footage, stepping down to lower percentages as lot size increases. That means a larger lot doesn’t get proportionally more buildable square footage than a smaller one; the marginal allowance actually shrinks. Hillside lots get an additional, separate reduction based on slope.
Why doesn’t a bigger lot just get proportionally more house?
Because the ratio isn’t flat — it’s tiered. The first bracket of lot square footage earns the highest ratio, and each additional bracket above that earns a progressively lower one. In practice, this means a buyer paying a premium for extra lot size, expecting proportional buildable square footage, may find the marginal square footage the code allows is worth less than expected.
What actually counts toward the floor area total?
Generally, all enclosed structures: the main house, attached and detached accessory structures, ADUs, and enclosed patios (even ones open on some sides), measured per floor within the exterior wall faces. A number of specific items are typically excluded — certain garage/carport square footage depending on placement on the lot, small covered porches, and similar features — but the exclusions are narrowly defined and worth checking item by item rather than assuming.
Do basements and attics count?
Often, yes, under specific tests — a basement can be exempt if it meets height-above-grade and placement conditions, and an attic typically counts once it has a floor and sufficient ceiling height. These tests are technical enough that a straightforward “does the basement count” question usually needs the actual measurements rather than a general answer.
Does a tall ceiling actually cost floor area twice?
In many jurisdictions with FAR rules like this, yes — interior space above a certain height threshold gets counted as though an additional story existed above it, meaning a dramatic vaulted room or two-story entry can consume a meaningful chunk of a property’s remaining floor area allowance without adding a single usable room. Worth checking specifically before finalizing a design on a home that’s already near its cap.
What changes on a hillside lot?
Hillside lots typically see the base ratio reduced further based on measured slope, and can face additional reductions as a condition of a separate hillside development permit. If a property might sit in a hillside overlay area, the floor area math needs a second layer of review beyond the standard table.
Related reading: Burbank Hillside Development Permit: What Actually Triggers It and Burbank ADU Rules: Setbacks, Size Limits & Permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the city ever approve more than the stated maximum?
Some jurisdictions allow a limited exception process — often capped at a modest percentage above the maximum, under narrow conditions (specific lot sizes, existing construction already near the cap, no other exceptions requested alongside it). This is a discretionary process, not a counter approval, and usually requires a public hearing.
Does the garage always count against my floor area?
Typically, placement on the lot determines this — garages in certain locations (often the rear half, or with alley access) get a specific square-footage exemption, while garage space elsewhere may count fully. Where a property has more than one garage structure, only the smaller one is usually eligible for the exemption.
Is the FAR limit based on my assessed lot size from the tax records?
No — the legal lot size (from the recorded map or deed) is what governs, and it doesn’t always match the “usable lot” figure shown on a county assessor’s parcel record. Confirm the legal lot size directly before treating floor area headroom as a given.
Does adding an ADU affect the house’s floor area allowance?
This is one of the more ambiguous areas of Burbank’s code, with different sections appearing to say different things about whether ADUs count against or are exempt from the FAR total. Get a written determination from Planning before assuming either way.
General information about a Burbank zoning ordinance, not design or legal advice. Confirm your specific lot’s zoning, slope, and floor area calculation with Burbank Planning before relying on this for a purchase, sale, or construction decision.
About Will Flannigan
Will Flannigan is a California licensed real estate agent (DRE #01951292) and Certified Trust & Probate Specialist (CTPS) with The Nell Team at Equity Union Real Estate. A former attorney, Will brings a background in property management and over a dozen home flips to every transaction, and has been licensed since 2014. A 20+ year resident of Burbank Rancho, Will specializes in Burbank, Altadena, Pasadena, Glendale, and the greater San Gabriel Valley, with fluency in Mandarin serving clients in San Marino and beyond.
Buying in Burbank with plans to expand? Knowing a lot’s real building headroom before you write an offer can change what the property is worth to you. Let’s look at it together.
📞 (310) 920-1108
📧 flanniganhomes@gmail.com
🌐 willflanniganrealestate.com
📍 4404 Riverside Dr. Suite D, Burbank, CA 91505