Ground Coverage
Also known as: Ground Coverage Ratio, GCR, plot coverage
Ground coverage is the percentage of a plot that the building footprint is allowed to occupy at ground level.
Ground coverage (or Ground Coverage Ratio, GCR) controls how much of the plot the building may cover on its largest floor. A GCR of 60% on a 1,000 sq ft plot means the footprint may not exceed 600 sq ft, leaving the rest as open space, setbacks, and parking.
Together with FAR, ground coverage shapes the building's form: ground coverage limits the footprint, while FAR limits the total floor area across all storeys. A low ground coverage with a high FAR pushes a design taller and narrower.
Permissible ground coverage varies by municipality and zone in Nepal, so check the figure for your specific plot during the design and naksa-pass stage.