Buildability
Score a property

Free preliminary address check

What can you build on your property?

The zoning, the hazards, and the site limits, on your address. About 20 seconds, each finding with its source, and the record's gaps named.

Free to score · No card, no signup · Available sources shown

A corner lot with a translucent buildable envelope rising from it.

Direct answer

How do I know if I can build on my property?

Start by identifying the parcel’s governing city or county, official zoning district, overlays, and development standards. Then compare your proposed project with permitted uses, setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, utilities, and site constraints. Buildability organizes that preliminary check and shows its sources, but the governing jurisdiction makes the official determination.

· Verified guidance

How to verify it

  1. 01

    Identify the parcel and jurisdiction

    Confirm the address, parcel boundary, and whether city or county rules govern. Sources: Zoning Verification, Buildability data sources

  2. 02

    Read the local zoning rules

    Check the official map, base district, overlays, permitted uses, and dimensional standards. Sources: Land Development Code, Buildability data sources

  3. 03

    Check physical constraints

    Review flood, terrain, soil, wildfire, access, utilities, easements, and other site-specific limits. Sources: National Flood Hazard Layer, Web Soil Survey, 3D Elevation Program, Buildability data sources

  4. 04

    Match the proposed project

    Compare the intended use and building form with the rules and identify discretionary approvals. Sources: Land Development Code, Buildability data sources

  5. 05

    Verify before committing money

    Confirm unresolved issues with planning staff and the appropriate licensed professionals. Sources: Zoning Verification, Buildability data sources

Important limitation

This is preliminary due-diligence guidance, not legal advice, a permit, or an official zoning determination. Verify material findings with the governing jurisdiction.

Official and primary sources

  1. National Flood Hazard Layer · FEMA: Official flood-zone, floodway, and flood-elevation mapping context.
  2. Web Soil Survey · USDA NRCS: Official soil properties and building-site suitability survey context.
  3. 3D Elevation Program · USGS: National elevation, slope, and terrain screening context.
  4. Zoning Verification · City of Austin: Example official process for identifying the governing jurisdiction, mapped zoning, and formal verification.
  5. Land Development Code · City of Austin: Example official authority for permitted uses, development standards, and project-specific approvals.
  6. Buildability data sources · Buildability: Preliminary parcel, jurisdiction, zoning, site-constraint, project-matching, and professional-verification workflow.

From address to evidence, with next steps.

Three steps. No account, no card, no waiting on a consultant.

  1. 01

    Type your address.

    Buildability identifies the parcel, the governing jurisdiction, and the public records available for it.

  2. 02

    Get the preliminary analysis.

    Geo organizes nine weighted factors (zoning, flood, seismic, soil, radon, wildfire, utilities, terrain, and lot geometry) and names the evidence that is still missing.

  3. 03

    Read the result.

    A preliminary score with its sources named, the risk flags, the open questions, and the next verification steps in plain English.

The full report adds setback standards with their source and confidence, height limits, and the parcel record. $99, no record no charge. Pricing

Before you decide.

How do I find out what I can build on my property?

Confirm the governing jurisdiction and official zoning district, then review permitted uses, overlays, setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, utilities, and site constraints for the project you have in mind. Buildability organizes a preliminary address check and shows its sources; the local jurisdiction makes the official determination.

What factors determine what I can build?

The answer depends on the proposed use, base zoning, overlays, dimensional standards, parcel geometry, access, utilities, hazards, easements, prior approvals, and any discretionary review. Missing information should be treated as an open due-diligence item.

Can I build an ADU on my property?

ADU rules depend on state law, the governing local code, zoning, lot and building conditions, overlays, utilities, and project design. Check the current local sources for the address and verify unresolved requirements with planning staff.

How accurate is the preliminary analysis?

Every finding should identify its source and confidence. Federal hazard data can be screened nationally, while local zoning depth varies by jurisdiction. Verify any fact that affects acquisition, design, financing, or construction with the responsible authority or licensed professional.

Is this a permit guarantee?

No. Buildability is preliminary due-diligence information, not legal advice, an entitlement, a permit, or an official zoning determination.

Can I build an ADU?Zoning lookup

Check buildability in your city.

Every guide opens with the same free Score.

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Type the address. Looking is free.

nine weighted factors on your address, with sources, in about 20 seconds.

Free to score · Full report $99 · Available sources shown