Are underground parking lots counted towards developable area?
The project is to build a 60-unit MF building spanning 40,000 SF in NYC but the city requires parking (40% of DU). Given the assumption that it will require 320 SF per parking space (this includes driveway space), I will need 7,680 SF of space to accommodate this parking. 

If i built a garage that is partially ground-level and partially underground to accommodate the parking requirement, will the underground portion be counted towards the total developable area of 40,000 SF?
[{"id": "fliwi0z", "text": "I want to say it depends on the municipality. I know that where I live, the cut off for floor area ratio counting is if the ceiling is no higher than 4 feet from the front grade from the street. So anything below that point does not count. You could have 6 floors of parking below that level and none would count against the total you are allowed to develop in the zone.", "replies": [{"id": "fliyj9c", "text": "Where do you live? My question is specific to NYC", "replies": [{"id": "fliym1v", "text": "Then put that in your post.  It's going to vary by location.", "replies": [{"id": "fliys7r", "text": "Edited. Thanks.", "replies": [{"id": "fljudk9", "text": "DC", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "flizx7p", "text": "This is probably fairly easily found in the zoning ordinance for your area.  I'm not familiar with NYC but found this:\n\n&gt; ***Floor Area***The floor area of a building is the sum of the gross area of each floor of the building, excluding mechanical space, cellar space, floor space in open balconies, elevators or stair bulkheads and, in most zoning districts, floor space used for accessory parking that is located less than 23 feet above curb level. \n\non the first google result ( [https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/zoning/glossary.page](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/zoning/glossary.page) )", "replies": [{"id": "flond94", "text": "This is the right response... you have to read the zoning text for your site's zoning district (and special district if applicable) to be sure.  Generally below grade areas are not counted as ZFA.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "flj5ayy", "text": "Call a lawyer, why the hell are you asking Reddit? If some asshole on reddit gives you the wrong answer (because everyone has a PHD here) then you screw up a multimillion dollar project. Call a NYC real estate attorney, clearly you/your company can afford it.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]