Buying land
Buying land in Arizona for commercial, agricultural, and development use
Successful land purchases start with facts you can verify: water, APN, legal access, zoning, and a survey that matches the ground. This guide walks you through each step.
Why it matters
Buying land isn’t like buying a house
A standard home-buying checklist misses the issues that can derail a land purchase: a well that can’t be drilled in an Active Management Area, a road without deeded access, or zoning that prohibits your planned use. If you already have a parcel in mind, include the APN when you contact us.
Checklist
What to verify when buying land in Arizona
Water rights and AMA basins
Determine whether the land is inside an Active Management Area or an open basin. Check for grandfathered rights, surface water claims, shared-well agreements, and ADWR well registration. A neighbor’s well doesn’t guarantee water on your parcel. Use the water note on each listing as a starting point, then verify it.
APN and assessor records
The Assessor Parcel Number (APN) unlocks tax records, the legal description, recorded acreage, and zoning. Match it to the corner stakes on the ground. County GIS maps are helpful, but they aren’t surveys.
Deeded access and easements
Confirm legal access on the title. If the parcel is reached by a private road, get the recorded easement and make sure the road suits the vehicles you’ll use. A scenic dirt road without deeded access can leave you landlocked after closing.
Zoning codes such as RU-4 and RU-36
Verify the zoning on the exact parcel you’re buying, not a neighboring tract. Rural codes such as RU-4 and RU-36 set minimum lot sizes for a home. Our entitlement team can map out zoning constraints, but final approval of any project rests with the county.
Also confirm
Minerals, survey, and agricultural taxes
In Arizona, mineral rights are often severed from surface rights; a title search shows who holds them. A boundary survey confirms corners and acreage. Agricultural tax status is based on use, and you can apply with the county assessor once the land qualifies.
Financing is a separate decision. Raw land loans often require 20% to 50% down. Learn more about Arizona land financing.
Working with the firm
Start with what you know
Tell us the county, target acreage, intended use, and any water or access details you have. A county and an intended use are enough to get started. Brokerage services provided by Hague Creek Properties, Inc.