If zoning requires the lot to be at least four times the building size, and the building is 12,000 sq ft, what is the minimum lot size in square feet?

• A. 24,000
• B. 48,000
• C. 60,000
• D. 80,000

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to convert a zoning ratio into a concrete lot size. If the rule says the lot must be at least four times the building size, you multiply the building area by 4. With a building of 12,000 square feet, the minimum lot size is 12,000 × 4 = 48,000 square feet. The other numbers don’t fit the required four-to-one ratio: 24,000 is only twice the building size, 60,000 is five times, and 80,000 is about 6.7 times. So 48,000 square feet is the correct minimum.