ANSI Z765 Measurement Standards
The American National Standards Institute standard for measuring residential floor area. ANSI Z765 is the required measurement methodology for GSE appraisals, specifying how GLA must be calculated using exterior dimensions.
ANSI Z765 requires measurement from the exterior of the building at each floor level. Only finished areas with permanent access (stairs, not ladders), a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet over at least 50% of the floor area, and climate-controlled heating/cooling qualify for GLA. Upper floors with sloped ceilings only count the area where the ceiling meets the minimum height requirement. Fannie Mae mandated ANSI-compliant measurements effective April 2022, making it critical for appraisers to follow these standards precisely.
Related Terms
Gross Living Area (GLA)
GLAThe total finished, above-grade living area of a residential property, measured in square feet.
Gross Building Area (GBA)
GBAThe total area of a building measured from the exterior walls, including all finished and unfinished, above-grade and below-grade spaces.
Below-Grade Area
Any portion of a building that is below the ground level on any side.
Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association)
FNMAA government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that purchases and securitizes residential mortgages, setting appraisal standards and form requirements that apply to the majority of conventional mortgage loans in the United States..
More in Property Characteristics
View allEffective Age
The age of a property as indicated by its condition, maintenance, and updates, which may differ from its actual (chronological) age.
Remaining Economic Life
The estimated number of years a property's improvements are expected to continue contributing to the property's value, calculated as total economic life minus effective age..
Site Value
The market value of the land as if vacant and available for development to its highest and best use.
Functional Obsolescence
A loss in property value caused by deficiencies or superadequacies within the property itself, such as an outdated floor plan, insufficient electrical capacity, or an over-improvement relative to the neighborhood..