Gross Floor Area

Introduction

For development control purpose, Singapore uses a Gross Floor Area (GFA) system to work out the bulk and intensity of a development. The Gross Plot Ratio (GPR) for a specific development site is defined as the ratio of the GFA of a building to its site or plot area¹. The allowable GPR of a development is guided by the GPR specified in the Master Plan (MP). 

This GFA handbook explains which area or space of a development is included or excluded from GFA for development control purpose. As a general principle, all (a) covered floor area of a development, (b) uncovered area used for commercial purposes, and (c) strata area (covered or otherwise) of a development are included as GFA, unless otherwise exempted. This is regardless of whether the spaces are accessible or usable. 

GFA is the total area of covered floor space, including the half thickness of external walls² or other building facade elements (e.g. windows, railings, curtain walls), but excluding voids.

^{1 The area of a site/plot measured between the survey boundary lines. If there are area(s) of the land required to be set aside for Drainage Reserve or Street/Road Reserve to be vested to the State, these areas may be included in the site area for GPR calculation. Once these areas are vested to the State, they cannot be used for GPR calculation subsequently.}

^{2 For buildings with party walls, which refer to the shared wall along the common boundary of two separate developments, GFA computation will include the thickness of the party wall that is part of the building.}

Bonus Gross Floor Area above MP Allowable Intensity

Bonus GFA is allowed over and above the MP GPR subject to a maximum of 10% of the MP GPR. When the site is redeveloped in future, the additional GFA already used under the GFA incentive schemes shall not be carried over. In other words, the GPR for the site shall revert to the GPR specified in the prevailing MP.

Although a site may make use of multiple GFA incentive schemes, the total GFA shall not exceed the overall cap of 10% above the MP GPR. Developments are eligible for the following bonus GFA incentive schemes if they comply with the relevant guidelines: