A surveyor stakes the corners of a rectangular piece of ground that will hold a single house. That defined parcel is a lot. Lots are the basic units into which land is subdivided for ownership and development.

Lot size, shape, topography, and orientation affect building design and value. Setback requirements and easements further constrain what can be built. In urban areas lots may be small and regular; in rural settings they can be irregular and expansive.

Legal descriptions and recorded plats identify lots with precision. Buyers of vacant lots must verify utilities, soil conditions, and development restrictions. A well-located lot in a desirable neighborhood often commands a premium even before any structure is added.

• Defined parcel of land with established boundaries
• Basic unit of subdivided land
• Subject to zoning and setback rules
• Identified by legal description or plat