Useful sources for searching: Official sources to verify buildability ↓
Buyer checklist before the offer
Identity — correct APN, acreage, and city vs county jurisdiction.
Access — recorded road or easement; not just a dirt track on aerials.
Land use — zoning, general plan, overlays, Williamson Act if ag.
Hazards — FEMA flood, CAL FIRE FHSZ, geology/slope red flags.
Utilities — sewer vs septic, water/well, power, broadband reality.
Title — easements, exceptions, CC&Rs, tax/CFD surprises.
Vacant ≠ buildable
Empty land can still be floodway-constrained, landlocked, septic-limited, or zoned against your intended use. Kill bad deals with cheap public screens before appraisals and geotech.
Start a free Screen
Run the APN or address in Parcel View Screen, save the PDF questions, then walk the same list with planning, title, and your agent. Pair with the raw land checklist.
High-intent county hubs: Sonoma, Placer, Nevada, Mendocino, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Humboldt.
People also ask
What is the first thing to check on vacant California land?
Confirm the APN and jurisdiction, then legal access and zoning for your intended use. Hazards and utilities come next before you spend on full design.
How is this different from a buildability guide?
This guide catches buyers earlier—offer readiness and deal killers. Buildability goes deeper on whether a specific use can meet codes after studies.
Should I screen before or after making an offer?
Screen before whenever possible. At minimum, run a public GIS pass and title/easement review during contingency—not after deposits are soft.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-08-29. Re-check agency maps before decisions — vintages change.
Related
Screen this on a California parcel
Parcel View checks official public GIS for zoning, flood, fire, soils, and planning — every finding linked to the source.