Buying land in Nevada County

Land here comes with different questions than a house in town. Water, septic, power and the road in can each be yours to figure out and pay for. None of that is a reason to pass. It's a reason to check six things while you still have options.

1. 1

   Water

   If there's no public water, you'll need a well. Ask whether a well is already on the parcel and get its records. If not, talk to a well driller before you write an offer about what drilling there usually looks like. Water is the first question on almost every parcel.

2. 2

   Septic

   No sewer means a septic system, and the soil decides what kind you can build. A percolation test shows whether the ground can handle one. Check the county environmental health office for any past septic permits or tests on the parcel.

3. 3

   Power

   Find out how far the nearest power is and what it would take to bring it in. Some parcels are a short run from the pole. Others need a long line, solar, or both. Ask the utility for an estimate before you remove contingencies.

4. 4

   The road in

   Make sure you have a recorded legal right to use the route to the parcel, and find out who maintains it. Ask for the road maintenance agreement, and drive it yourself, in the rain if you can.

5. 5

   Zoning

   Zoning decides what you can build and what you can do on the land: one home or more, an ADU, animals, a shop. Check the county's zoning map, not just the listing, because the two don't always agree.

6. 6

   Fire insurance

   If you plan to build, you'll need to insure the home. Look up the parcel on CAL FIRE's fire hazard map, and talk to an insurance agent early about what building there would mean for coverage.

See the parcels we have for sale right now in the land section of our listings.

This page is general information about buying land, not legal, engineering or lending advice.