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Possible development behind house?
I'm interested in a home that has a large green space behind it. It is one of the selling points. But i'm not sure if it will always be green space and who owns it or what is planned for it. I don't know how to figure out the address or how to search it in the county website. How can i find out?
Asked By Raul Pa | Greenville, SC | 26 views | Buying | Updated 1 day ago
Answers (6)
Tricia Jacobs
REMAX Gateway
There is nothing quite like a home with a beautiful green space behind it, but you are 100% right to be cautious. "Green space" is only permanent if it is legally protected. If it’s just an empty lot, it could become a housing development or a shopping center three years down the road.
Finding this information on county websites can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Here is the step-by-step process I use for my clients to get the real story:
The Tax Parcel Map: Every county has a GIS (Geographic Information System) map. You don't always need an address; you can usually find the home you're looking at and then click on the "parcel" behind it. This will tell you exactly who owns it—whether it’s the city, a private developer, or a homeowner's association.
Check the Zoning: This is the most important part. Even if it's currently trees, the Zoning Designation (like R-1 for residential or OS for Open Space) tells you what is legally allowed to be built there. If it's zoned for high-density residential, that green space is likely temporary.
The "Future Land Use" Map: Most cities and counties have a "Comprehensive Plan" that shows what they intend for that land over the next 10–20 years.
Why you should involve a Real Estate Professional right now:
This is exactly where a full-time agent earns their keep. We have access to title tools and relationships with planning departments that allow us to get these answers much faster than a standard web search.
My Advice: Don't guess on something this important. Interview 2–3 local agents in your area. Ask them: "Can you help me pull the title and zoning report for the land behind this property?" and "Are there any active development applications currently sitting with the county for this area?" A great agent will do the digging for you so you can make an informed decision based on facts, not just a pretty view. If you need a recommendation for a top-tier agent in your specific area who is great at this kind of "dirt work" investigation, I’d be happy to send a few names your way!
Tricia Jacobs
Managing Broker/REALTOR®
Finding this information on county websites can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Here is the step-by-step process I use for my clients to get the real story:
The Tax Parcel Map: Every county has a GIS (Geographic Information System) map. You don't always need an address; you can usually find the home you're looking at and then click on the "parcel" behind it. This will tell you exactly who owns it—whether it’s the city, a private developer, or a homeowner's association.
Check the Zoning: This is the most important part. Even if it's currently trees, the Zoning Designation (like R-1 for residential or OS for Open Space) tells you what is legally allowed to be built there. If it's zoned for high-density residential, that green space is likely temporary.
The "Future Land Use" Map: Most cities and counties have a "Comprehensive Plan" that shows what they intend for that land over the next 10–20 years.
Why you should involve a Real Estate Professional right now:
This is exactly where a full-time agent earns their keep. We have access to title tools and relationships with planning departments that allow us to get these answers much faster than a standard web search.
My Advice: Don't guess on something this important. Interview 2–3 local agents in your area. Ask them: "Can you help me pull the title and zoning report for the land behind this property?" and "Are there any active development applications currently sitting with the county for this area?" A great agent will do the digging for you so you can make an informed decision based on facts, not just a pretty view. If you need a recommendation for a top-tier agent in your specific area who is great at this kind of "dirt work" investigation, I’d be happy to send a few names your way!
Tricia Jacobs
Managing Broker/REALTOR®
- 1 day ago
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Tracy Shand
Jack Conway Company Inc
A lot of people fall in love with a house because of the peaceful green space behind it, and then later discover it’s zoned for future development. The good news is: you can investigate this before you buy. Here’s a clear, practical way to figure out who owns that land and what might happen to it.
Identify the parcel behind the home
Even if you don’t know the address of the green space, you can still find it. Use your county’s online GIS/parcel viewer
Almost every county in the U.S. has an online GIS map or property viewer.
You can:
Search for the house you’re interested in by address
Zoom out slightly Click on the parcel behind it (the green space).
This will show:
Parcel ID, Owner name (private owner, developer, town, state, conservation trust, etc.), Acreage, and Zoning classification.
Check zoning and future land use
Once you know the parcel ID or owner, look up:
Zoning map and Future land-use plan
Cities and counties often publish long-term planning documents showing:
Areas targeted for development, Protected open space, Planned roads or utilities-
These are usually on the county planning department website.
Look up recent permits or development proposals
Search your county’s:
Planning board agendas, Zoning board agendas, Development applications, Subdivision proposals
If a developer has already submitted plans, they’ll appear here. If online info is unclear, call:
County assessor’s office → Who owns the land
Planning department → Zoning and future development
Conservation commission → If it’s protected land
Town clerk → Meeting minutes about proposed changes
They deal with these questions constantly and can usually give a straightforward answer. Hope this helps Raul!
Identify the parcel behind the home
Even if you don’t know the address of the green space, you can still find it. Use your county’s online GIS/parcel viewer
Almost every county in the U.S. has an online GIS map or property viewer.
You can:
Search for the house you’re interested in by address
Zoom out slightly Click on the parcel behind it (the green space).
This will show:
Parcel ID, Owner name (private owner, developer, town, state, conservation trust, etc.), Acreage, and Zoning classification.
Check zoning and future land use
Once you know the parcel ID or owner, look up:
Zoning map and Future land-use plan
Cities and counties often publish long-term planning documents showing:
Areas targeted for development, Protected open space, Planned roads or utilities-
These are usually on the county planning department website.
Look up recent permits or development proposals
Search your county’s:
Planning board agendas, Zoning board agendas, Development applications, Subdivision proposals
If a developer has already submitted plans, they’ll appear here. If online info is unclear, call:
County assessor’s office → Who owns the land
Planning department → Zoning and future development
Conservation commission → If it’s protected land
Town clerk → Meeting minutes about proposed changes
They deal with these questions constantly and can usually give a straightforward answer. Hope this helps Raul!
- 1 day ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
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Brandy Tilo
Presidio Real Estate
That’s a great question—and a really smart thing to look into before making a decision. A lot of buyers fall in love with a home because of the open space behind it, so it’s definitely worth confirming what it actually is.
There are a few ways we can figure it out. First, we can look up the parcel behind the home on the county property records to see who owns it. That will tell us if it’s owned by the city, the HOA, a developer, or a private owner. Each of those can mean something different for the future of the land.
Next, we can check the zoning and future land-use maps for that parcel. Those maps will show whether the land is designated as permanent open space, parks, residential development, or something else. Even if it’s currently empty, zoning often gives us a good idea of what could potentially be built there.
I recommend working with a highly regarded, top-producing local realtor in your area. They can help look up the property information for you. Simply share the address of the home you’re considering, and they can pull up the parcel behind it and walk you through what they find. A knowledgeable local realtor will be happy to do the research so you have a clear understanding of what that space is today—and what it may potentially become in the future.
There are a few ways we can figure it out. First, we can look up the parcel behind the home on the county property records to see who owns it. That will tell us if it’s owned by the city, the HOA, a developer, or a private owner. Each of those can mean something different for the future of the land.
Next, we can check the zoning and future land-use maps for that parcel. Those maps will show whether the land is designated as permanent open space, parks, residential development, or something else. Even if it’s currently empty, zoning often gives us a good idea of what could potentially be built there.
I recommend working with a highly regarded, top-producing local realtor in your area. They can help look up the property information for you. Simply share the address of the home you’re considering, and they can pull up the parcel behind it and walk you through what they find. A knowledgeable local realtor will be happy to do the research so you have a clear understanding of what that space is today—and what it may potentially become in the future.
- 21 hours ago
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Hersh Shah
Hersh Shah Group
Raul,
The best way is to connect with a reputable agent in your area who can guide you. Agents have access to data that can help answer some of your questions.
Alternatively, you could try to find the GIS maps for that area and do the research yourself. Address and ownership info is public information so you can at least find that!
Best of luck!
The best way is to connect with a reputable agent in your area who can guide you. Agents have access to data that can help answer some of your questions.
Alternatively, you could try to find the GIS maps for that area and do the research yourself. Address and ownership info is public information so you can at least find that!
Best of luck!
- 1 day ago
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- Unhelpful (0)
Hello. Your concern is valid and what you should ask before considering where to buy. If you have an agent, that person should be able to assist you in locating the address, the owners, and searching county permitting records. If you don't have an agent, that should be your first step before looking at homes. Interview several agents before hiring one. I have a free guide on Avoiding Buyer Mistakes and How to Hire the Right REALTOR. Let me know if you'd like a copy.
- 1 day ago
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Tyron Swinton
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Texas Realty
Great question — and it’s very smart to check this before buying.
Just because land is currently green space does NOT guarantee it will stay that way, so you definitely want to verify ownership and zoning.
Here are the steps I usually recommend:
1. Look up the property on the county appraisal district website
Search the home’s address in the county appraisal district. Once you find the property, use the map view to click on the parcel behind it. This will show:
The owner of the land
Parcel ID
Size of the property
If it’s owned by the city, HOA, or a conservation district, it’s more likely to remain green space.
2. Check zoning and land use
Once you know the parcel number or address of that land, check the city or county zoning map. Zoning tells you what could legally be built there in the future.
3. Look for plats or subdivision plans
If the neighborhood is newer, the builder may already have a recorded plat showing whether the land is:
Parkland
Drainage easement
Future development phase
4. Ask your Realtor to check development plans
A local agent can usually look up:
Planned developments
Builder phases
City planning documents
Upcoming zoning cases
5. Check city planning or development websites
Many cities publish future land use maps and permit filings, which can reveal if apartments, homes, or commercial development are planned.
Just because land is currently green space does NOT guarantee it will stay that way, so you definitely want to verify ownership and zoning.
Here are the steps I usually recommend:
1. Look up the property on the county appraisal district website
Search the home’s address in the county appraisal district. Once you find the property, use the map view to click on the parcel behind it. This will show:
The owner of the land
Parcel ID
Size of the property
If it’s owned by the city, HOA, or a conservation district, it’s more likely to remain green space.
2. Check zoning and land use
Once you know the parcel number or address of that land, check the city or county zoning map. Zoning tells you what could legally be built there in the future.
3. Look for plats or subdivision plans
If the neighborhood is newer, the builder may already have a recorded plat showing whether the land is:
Parkland
Drainage easement
Future development phase
4. Ask your Realtor to check development plans
A local agent can usually look up:
Planned developments
Builder phases
City planning documents
Upcoming zoning cases
5. Check city planning or development websites
Many cities publish future land use maps and permit filings, which can reveal if apartments, homes, or commercial development are planned.
- 5 hours ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
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