[Added 1-16-2007 by L.L. No. 1-2007[1]]
The requirements contained in this article are designed to promote and protect the public health, to prevent overcrowded living conditions, to guard against the development of substandard neighborhoods, to conserve established property values and to contribute to the general welfare. In addition, the character, layout and density of Pelham’s neighborhoods rely on its diversity and quality of architectural styles, without homes exceeding certain limits in general scale of lot coverage or overall mass.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also amended the title of Article XVI.
A. 
Every dwelling or multifamily house hereafter erected or remodeled to accommodate additional families shall provide a minimum residential living area per family on finished floors in conformity with the following schedule and with the other provisions of this Article XVI. The minimums stipulated herein shall be deemed to be exclusive of porches, breezeways, garage area and basement and cellar areas.
Type of Residence Building
Number of Rooms
(exclusive of main living room, sun parlor, kitchen, dining room, bathrooms and storage rooms)
Minimum Required Residential Living Area Per Dwelling Unit
(square feet)
Single-family dwelling
2 or less
900
Single-family dwelling
3
1,000
Single-family dwelling
4
1,100
Single-family dwelling
5 or more
1,300
2-family dwelling
2 or less
900
2-family dwelling
3 or more
1,000
Multifamily house
0
500
Multifamily house
1
600
Multifamily house
2
750
Multifamily house
3 or more
900
B. 
In a multifamily house, a balcony or terrace appurtenant to a dwelling unit located above the ground floor and having an area of 50 square feet or more may be counted for the purpose of meeting the minimum floor area requirement.
[Added 1-16-2007 by L.L. No. 1-2007]
The maximum residential floor area ratio shall be as follows:
Residential District
Maximum R-FAR
Ratio/Percentage
A 1
35%
A 2
40%
A 3
40%
B 1
45%
B 2
45%
Over and above the requirements stipulated in the schedule contained in § 98-108, an additional 100 square feet of floor area shall be provided on finished floors in any dwelling which does not have a basement with a minimum clear height of seven feet, which basement is at least equal in area to 50% of the first floor enclosed area.