Land Suitability Checklist Before Site Layout Planning: A Developer’s Guide

Before starting any real estate or plotting project, one of the most crucial decisions is selecting the right piece of land. A visually appealing site can still lead to major layout and legal issues if proper assessment is skipped.

In this blog, we provide a step-by-step checklist for checking land suitability before layout planning, based on real project experiences and approval requirements.

📌 1. Verify Land Title and Ownership

• Get a certified copy of 7/12 extract, property card, or mutation entries.

• Ensure the land is free from litigation, mortgages, or encroachments.

• Check for joint ownership or family partitions which may affect NOCs.

✅ Tip: Engage a legal expert to verify property papers before purchase.

📌 2. Confirm Zoning in Development Plan

• Check if the land falls under:

  • Residential Zone

  • Green Zone / No Development Zone

  • Industrial / Agricultural

  • Reserved for amenities (e.g., school, garden, etc.)

✅ Tip: If your land is in a "green" or "buffer" zone, development may not be allowed.

📌 3. Site Topography and Natural Features

• Survey slope, contour levels, and water flow direction.

• Identify low-lying areas, existing nallas, or rocky patches.

• Avoid sites with major cut-fill requirements—it increases cost.

✅ Tip: Hire a licensed surveyor to prepare a topographic map.

📌 4. Road Connectivity and Access

• Does the site abut an existing public road?

• Is the access road of sufficient width (minimum 6m–9m for plotting)?

• Check for right-of-way issues and official access approval from the planning authority.

✅ Tip: Landlocked plots may require access agreements from neighbors.

📌 5. Availability of Basic Infrastructure

• Water Source (Municipal/Borewell)

• Power Lines/Substation access

• Drainage and Sewer Line Connectivity

• Proximity to STP/solid waste disposal units

✅ Tip: Infrastructure availability affects both layout approval and livability.

📌 6. Reservation and Buffer Zones

• Look for development plan reservations like:

  • Cremation ground

  • School

  • Public garden

  • Forest boundary

• Also, check for high-tension lines, river buffers, or railway boundaries.

✅ Tip: Reservations often restrict construction or require special approval.

📌 7. Soil Testing and Ground Conditions

• Conduct soil investigation to confirm load-bearing capacity.

• Assess for black cotton soil or loose fill, which requires special foundations.

✅ Tip: Site with rocky strata may increase excavation cost but provide better stability.

📌 8. Environmental and CRZ Clearance

• For lands near rivers, lakes, or sea coasts, environmental clearance or CRZ NOC may be mandatory.

✅ Tip: These approvals take time—budget accordingly in your project timeline.

📌 9. Check Proximity to Civic Amenities

• Is the site near:

  • Public Transport

  • Schools

  • Hospitals

  • Markets

✅ Tip: Better proximity increases project value and saleability.

📌 10. Existing Site Conditions

• Is the land encroached, used for agriculture, or under forest?

• Any social objections from local people?

• Are there existing structures or temples on-site?

✅ Tip: Handle religious or social elements sensitively to avoid disputes.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right site is the foundation of a successful layout. Mistakes at this stage are hard to fix later—and can delay or cancel your entire project.

Use this checklist like a developer's compass. It ensures your site is:
✅ Legal
✅ Buildable
✅ Profitable

Because the right layout starts with the right land.