# Development agreement

A development agreement is a contract between a local government and a developer setting a project's rules, timing, and public improvements. Also called developer agreement or pre-annexation agreement.

Data as of Oct 11, 2026. Page: https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/development-agreement/

## What it is

A development agreement sets out what a developer will build and pay for, such as roads or parks, and what the city commits to, like zoning rules or utility service. It is common for large, phased projects.

## What it tells you

A development agreement usually means a large or long-term project is moving forward, with homes, acres, and phases written down. It often names the developer and commits them to roads and utilities.

## How it moves through a city or county

1. The developer and city staff negotiate the terms, often alongside a rezoning or annexation.
2. The planning commission may review it.
3. The city council or county commission holds a hearing and approves it.
4. It is usually recorded against the land and binds later owners.

Some states, like California and Florida, have a statute setting what development agreements must contain; elsewhere they rest on general contract powers.

Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.

## Recent development agreements

From public filings in Alabama, Florida, and Utah.

| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235-Unit Single-Family Subdivision on 128 Acres | Trussville, AL | DDB Capital | Single-family | 235 homes · 128 acres | Approved | May 12, 2026 |
| Development Agreement Amendment for 13-Unit Canyon Hollow Townhome Project | Saratoga Springs, UT | Canyon Hollow Development, LLC | Townhomes | 13 townhomes · 1.58 acres | Approved | Mar 3, 2026 |
| 110-Unit Townhome Development on 35.79 Acres | Groveland, FL | Highland Homes | Townhomes | 110 townhomes · 35.8 acres | Approved | Mar 2, 2026 |

Samples show projects filed by companies or public bodies.

## Find it on Boardwalk

Pick Development Agreement under Application Type on the Boardwalk map. [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)

## Related terms

- [Master-planned community](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/master-planned-community/): A master-planned community is a large development built in phases under one plan, with homes, roads, parks, and often schools and shops.
- [Annexation](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/annexation/): Annexation brings land from unincorporated county territory into a city, so the city's zoning, services, and taxes apply to it.
- [Impact fee](https://boardwalkai.com/glossary/impact-fee/): An impact fee is a one-time charge on new development that helps pay for the roads, parks, water, or schools it needs.

## Common questions

### Is a development agreement the same as zoning approval?

No, a development agreement is a contract that usually sits on top of zoning approval. It can lock in the rules for a period and add commitments, like road improvements or phasing, that zoning alone does not spell out.

### How long does a development agreement last?

The term of a development agreement is written into the agreement itself. Agreements for large communities often run for a decade or more, with options to extend.

## Get the full data

- **Count for free.** Connect Boardwalk to Claude or ChatGPT and ask how many projects match. Counting is free during your trial and on every plan. [Use it in Claude or ChatGPT](https://boardwalkai.com/mcp/)
- **Open the records.** Start a 7-day free trial, no credit card. It includes 50 project records. [Start free trial](https://boardwalkai.com/auth/signup/)
- **Use it in your tools.** CSV export, the API, and the MCP server come with every plan. [API docs](https://boardwalkai.com/docs/api/)

## How to cite

Source: Boardwalk, "Development agreement", boardwalkai.com/glossary/development-agreement/, data as of Oct 11, 2026.

How we count: https://boardwalkai.com/coverage/#how-we-count