Entitlement
Entitlement is the process of getting the government approvals needed to develop land, such as rezonings, plats, use permits, and variances.
Also called land use entitlement or land use approvals.
What it tells you
A project in entitlement has a site, a use, and usually a named developer, but its approvals aren't final. It's the stage when lenders, engineers, contractors, and suppliers can reach the developer before the team is set.
How it moves through a city or county
- The developer meets with staff to learn which approvals the project needs.
- Applications are filed, often several at once, such as a plan amendment, rezoning, and preliminary plat.
- Staff review them, and the planning commission and council hold public hearings.
- Once approved, the developer moves to engineering, final plats, and building permits.
Which approvals a project needs, and which body grants them, depends on the state, the place, and the project. Some projects are allowed by right and need no hearing.
Recent entitlement requests
From public filings in Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee.
| Project | Location | Developer | Type | Size | Stage | Latest meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45-Lot Residential Subdivision on 11.17 Acres | Bernalillo, NM | Gamma Development LLC | Single-family | 45 units11.2 acres | Approved | |
| 47-Unit Single-Family Subdivision on 12 Acres | West Lafayette, IN | G&S Land Company, LLC | Single-family | 47 units12 acres | Recommended | |
| 94-Unit Residential Planned Unit Development | Portland, TN | Brimstone Builds | Single-family | 94 homes27.2 acres | Recommended |
As of How we count
Common questions
- What is an entitled site?
- An entitled site has the zoning and land use approvals needed for a specific project, so it can move to engineering and building permits. Much of the approval risk is behind it at that point.
- Is a building permit an entitlement?
- A building permit usually isn't counted as an entitlement. Entitlement means land use approvals like rezonings, plats, and use permits; building permits come later and check construction plans against building codes.
Related terms
Rules vary by state, county, and city. These pages describe common practice, not legal advice.
See projects seeking approval near you.
On Boardwalk's public pages, projects at this stage show as Seeking approval.