question 25 on PPD practice test

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SDHL333

September 14, 2026 18:04

Why the maximum building area 9,600 sf and not 10,000 sf,  I understand that it would be 9,600 sf because of the maximum impervious coverage of 2,400 sf, but in this problem is not specified that, there are any limitations for the floors above the ground level, so as per the buildable site area within the setbacks is allowed 2,800 sf. so that said, the ground floor will be 2,400 sf and the 2nd, 3rd & 4th floors the allowable should be 2,800 sf each since there are not other constrictions specified for upper floors, so 2,400 + 2800(3) =10,800 SF and since the FAR is 10,000, the would be 10,000 max. gross bldg area. Is this right? 

 

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  Ralph Hale September 15, 2026 19:20

  SDHL333, 
  
  How are you building a 2800 SF floor on top of a 2400SF floor without adding to the impervious coverage of the lot?  That is to say, without adding to the square footage of the lot covered by roof or foundation. 
  
  The max impervious area is 2,400 SF - without an unreasonable amount of really creative design and engineering (or some additional provisions in the zoning that are out of scope for this question), that's a hard cap on your floor area for all 4 floors.  2,400*4 = 9,600.
  
  "Impervious coverage" limits roof and/or foundation area max - it limits the area of the lot that can be covered with any hard, rainwater-shedding built space - not just at the ground floor.  
  
  Best,
  Ralph, the Amber Book Team

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  architect918 September 18, 2026 21:32

  The simplest answer is: this type of question is mainly meant to review & select the more stringent requirements, after computing what is available and asked regarding the #'s. Understanding terminology is important as well.

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