Most buyers spend more time researching a refrigerator than researching a land parcel. The information is all public. Here's how to use it.
1. Summit County Assessor — start here
Look up the parcel at summitcountyutah.gov. Find: legal description, assessed value, zoning designation, acreage. The zoning designation is critical — it determines what you can build and at what density.
2. Summit County P&Z — the hillside overlay
Summit County's hillside ordinance restricts building on slopes over 30%. A parcel that looks buildable may have 60% of its area excluded. Contact Summit County P&Z before you're under contract.
3. Utah Division of Water Rights
Search waterrights.utah.gov for any rights associated with the parcel. Is it approved or conditional? Is the area closed to new appropriations? Also search the well map for neighboring logs.
"The hillside overlay and the water rights situation are the two things that turn an apparently good lot into an undevelopable one."
4. County Recorder — title and easements
Search by parcel number for: who holds title, recorded easements, CC&Rs. An access easement gives you legal road access. A conservation easement restricts development.
5. FEMA Flood Map
Search msc.fema.gov. If any portion is in Zone AE or AO, get a survey before proceeding.
6. HOA and club membership
Request the full CC&Rs. Ask specifically: does mandatory club membership apply to this parcel and at what initiation fee?
Summit County Assessor → zoning · P&Z → hillside overlay · DWRi → water rights + well logs · County Recorder → easements + CC&Rs · FEMA → flood zones · HOA docs → obligations
Questions about Wasatch Back land?
Talk to a local agent who knows Summit and Wasatch County land specifically.
Talk to a Land Agent