The Real Estate Encyclopedia & Blog

Open Space Ratio

by | Feb 6, 2026

In real estate and land use regulation, the open space ratio is a measurement that compares the amount of land area devoted to open space to the total floor area of an apartment building. It is commonly expressed as a ratio and used to evaluate development density.

The open space ratio is often incorporated into zoning requirements to ensure adequate light, air, and recreational areas within residential developments. By limiting the relationship between building mass and open land, this ratio helps promote livability and balanced urban design.