Start with the state’s water, wastewater and tax sources. Then take your parcel number and intended use to the county or city: ask who handles zoning, legal access, site evaluation and building permits for that address.
For an order of operations, read how to check if land is buildable. Use the land buying checklist to record answers and documents, and the acreage guide for size context.
Read the state entry, then check the parcel
Surface water only: the doctrine labels below describe broad allocation frameworks. Groundwater rules are separate and can differ. A label does not establish a water right for your parcel; the California Water Board’s water-rights FAQs illustrate why the source of water and the type of right matter. “Hybrid” means riparian and appropriative rights coexist. “Riparian” includes regulated riparian systems; it does not mean withdrawals are unregulated.
Wastewater: follow the state agency link and ask who evaluates and permits your proposed system. For an example of state standards with local administration, see Colorado’s onsite wastewater guidance. Taxes: use the agency directory to find the assessor for the parcel. Ask for the current assessment and tax bill, agricultural program eligibility, and what a sale or change of use would mean for the assessment.
Comparing payment offers as well as states? Use the owner financing cost calculator with the numbers from the seller’s offer.
Alabama
CCL’s Alabama land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Alabama, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- County health departments; ADPH standardsAlabama: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Alabama Department of RevenueAlabama: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Current UseAlabama: agricultural valuation source
Alaska
- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Alaska, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Ask the state agency
- Property tax agency
- Ask the state agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farm use assessment (AS 29.45.060)Alaska: agricultural valuation
Arizona
CCL’s Arizona land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Arizona, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Ask the state agency
- Property tax agency
- Arizona Department of RevenueArizona: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural property valuationArizona: agricultural valuation (PDF)
Arkansas
CCL’s Arkansas land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Arkansas, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- ADH onsite wastewater programArkansas: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Arkansas Assessment Coordination DivisionArkansas: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural land productivity valuationArkansas: agricultural valuation (PDF)
California
CCL’s California land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridCalifornia Water Board: water rights FAQs
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Water Board policy; local agency programsCalifornia: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- California State Board of EqualizationCalifornia: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Williamson ActCalifornia: agricultural valuation source
Colorado
CCL’s Colorado land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationColorado DWR: water administration
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Local county or public health agencyColorado: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Colorado Division of Property TaxationColorado: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural property classification and valuationColorado: agricultural valuation
Connecticut
CCL’s Connecticut land page- Surface-water allocation
- Ask the state agency
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DPH subsurface sewage programConnecticut: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Connecticut Office of Policy and ManagementConnecticut: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Public Act 490Connecticut: agricultural valuation source
Delaware
CCL’s Delaware land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Delaware, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DNREC septic permittingDelaware: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Ask the state agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural, horticultural and forest use assessmentDelaware: agricultural valuation source
Florida
CCL’s Florida land page- Surface-water allocation
- Ask the state agency
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEP onsite sewage programFlorida: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Florida Department of RevenueFlorida: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural classificationFlorida: agricultural valuation source
Georgia
CCL’s Georgia land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianGeorgia HB 143 (2025), page 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DPH onsite sewage programGeorgia: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Georgia Department of RevenueGeorgia: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Conservation Use AssessmentGeorgia: agricultural valuation source
Hawaii
CCL’s Hawaii land page- Surface-water allocation
- Ask the state agency
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Department of Health individual wastewater systemsHawaii: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Hawaii Department of Taxation (county tax directory)Hawaii: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Ask the state agency
- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationIdaho DWR: about water rights
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Public health districts handle septic permitsIdaho: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Idaho State Tax CommissionIdaho: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural land actual use valuationIdaho: agricultural valuation
Illinois
CCL’s Illinois land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Illinois, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- IDPH and local health agencies review plansIllinois: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Illinois Department of RevenueIllinois: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farmland AssessmentsIllinois: agricultural valuation
Indiana
CCL’s Indiana land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Indiana, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Health Department onsite sewage programIndiana: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Indiana Department of Local Government FinanceIndiana: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Land AssessmentsIndiana: agricultural valuation source
- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Iowa, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DNR private sewage disposal guidanceIowa: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Iowa Department of RevenueIowa: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural productivity valuationIowa: agricultural valuation source
Kansas
CCL’s Kansas land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Kansas, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Ask the state agency
- Property tax agency
- Kansas Department of RevenueKansas: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Use ValuationKansas: agricultural valuation source
Kentucky
CCL’s Kentucky land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Kentucky, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Local health departments administer the programKentucky: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Kentucky Department of RevenueKentucky: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Use ValuationKentucky: agricultural valuation
Louisiana
CCL’s Louisiana land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Louisiana, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Department of Health onsite wastewater programLouisiana: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Ask the state agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Use Value (agricultural land)Louisiana: agricultural valuation source
- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Maine, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Subsurface wastewater system permittingMaine: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Maine Revenue ServicesMaine: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farmland current useMaine: agricultural valuation source
Maryland
CCL’s Maryland land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Maryland, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- MDE onsite disposal and septic upgrade guidanceMaryland: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Maryland State Department of Assessments and TaxationMaryland: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Use AssessmentMaryland: agricultural valuation source
Massachusetts
CCL’s Massachusetts land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Massachusetts, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Title 5 septic system guidanceMassachusetts: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Division of Local ServicesMassachusetts: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Chapter 61A agricultural and horticultural land classificationMassachusetts: agricultural valuation
Michigan
CCL’s Michigan land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Michigan, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- EGLE guidance; contact local health departmentMichigan: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Michigan Department of TreasuryMichigan: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Ask the state agency
Minnesota
CCL’s Minnesota land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Minnesota, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- MPCA subsurface sewage treatment systems programMinnesota: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Minnesota Department of RevenueMinnesota: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Green Acres and Rural PreserveMinnesota: agricultural valuation source
Mississippi
CCL’s Mississippi land page- Surface-water allocation
- Ask the state agency
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Department of Health onsite wastewater programMississippi: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Mississippi Department of RevenueMississippi: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural use valuationMississippi: agricultural valuation (PDF)
Missouri
CCL’s Missouri land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Missouri Extension: water source development
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DHSS onsite wastewater programMissouri: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Missouri State Tax CommissionMissouri: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural/Horticultural Land GradesMissouri: agricultural valuation
Montana
CCL’s Montana land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationMontana DNRC: water rights
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ septic system guidanceMontana: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Montana Department of RevenueMontana: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural land classificationMontana: agricultural valuation source
Nebraska
CCL’s Nebraska land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Nebraska, Table 1, note 10 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DWEE onsite wastewater programNebraska: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Nebraska Department of RevenueNebraska: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural and Horticultural Land Special ValuationNebraska: agricultural valuation source
Nevada
CCL’s Nevada land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Nevada, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Residential approvals through local authoritiesNevada: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Nevada Department of TaxationNevada: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Use AssessmentNevada: agricultural valuation (PDF)
New Hampshire
CCL’s New Hampshire land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: New Hampshire, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DES septic system approvalsNew Hampshire: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue AdministrationNew Hampshire: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Current UseNew Hampshire: agricultural valuation
New Jersey
CCL’s New Jersey land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: New Jersey, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Ask the state agency
- Property tax agency
- New Jersey Division of TaxationNew Jersey: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farmland AssessmentNew Jersey: agricultural valuation source
New Mexico
CCL’s New Mexico land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: New Mexico, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Environment Department onsite wastewater programNew Mexico: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- New Mexico Taxation and Revenue DepartmentNew Mexico: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Special valuation for land used primarily for agricultural purposesNew Mexico: agricultural valuation
New York
CCL’s New York land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: New York, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Health Department residential onsite wastewater standards and guidanceNew York: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- New York State Department of Taxation and FinanceNew York: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural assessmentNew York: agricultural valuation source
North Carolina
CCL’s North Carolina land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianNorth Carolina DEQ: instream flow and riparian rights
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DHHS On-Site Water Protection BranchNorth Carolina: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- North Carolina Department of RevenueNorth Carolina: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Present-Use ValueNorth Carolina: agricultural valuation
North Dakota
CCL’s North Dakota land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: North Dakota, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ installer licensing; local public health permitsNorth Dakota: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- North Dakota Office of State Tax CommissionerNorth Dakota: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural property productivity valuationNorth Dakota: agricultural valuation (PDF)
- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Ohio, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Health Department sewage treatment programOhio: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Ohio Department of TaxationOhio: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV)Ohio: agricultural valuation source
Oklahoma
CCL’s Oklahoma land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Oklahoma, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ on-site sewage programOklahoma: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Oklahoma Tax CommissionOklahoma: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural Use ValueOklahoma: agricultural valuation (PDF)
Oregon
CCL’s Oregon land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Oregon, Table 1, note 15 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ onsite wastewater management programOregon: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Oregon Department of RevenueOregon: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farm-use special assessmentOregon: agricultural valuation (PDF)
Pennsylvania
CCL’s Pennsylvania land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianPenn State Extension: water access and allocation
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEP on-lot disposal programPennsylvania: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic DevelopmentPennsylvania: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Clean and GreenPennsylvania: agricultural valuation source
Rhode Island
CCL’s Rhode Island land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Rhode Island, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEM onsite wastewater treatment systems permittingRhode Island: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Rhode Island Division of Municipal FinanceRhode Island: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farm, Forest and Open Space ActRhode Island: agricultural valuation (PDF)
South Carolina
CCL’s South Carolina land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: South Carolina, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DES septic system permittingSouth Carolina: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- South Carolina Department of RevenueSouth Carolina: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural use value assessmentSouth Carolina: agricultural valuation
South Dakota
CCL’s South Dakota land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: South Dakota, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DANR septic system guidanceSouth Dakota: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- South Dakota Department of RevenueSouth Dakota: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural land productivity assessmentSouth Dakota: agricultural valuation source
Tennessee
CCL’s Tennessee land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Tennessee, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- TDEC subsurface sewage disposal permitsTennessee: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Tennessee Comptroller of the TreasuryTennessee: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- GreenbeltTennessee: agricultural valuation source
- Surface-water allocation
- HybridTexas Parks and Wildlife: water law
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- TCEQ on-site sewage facilities programTexas: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural special appraisalTexas: agricultural valuation source
- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUtah State University Extension: water law and irrigation
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ onsite wastewater programUtah: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Utah State Tax CommissionUtah: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farmland Assessment Act (Greenbelt)Utah: agricultural valuation
Vermont
CCL’s Vermont land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Vermont, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply ProgramVermont: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Vermont Department of TaxesVermont: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Current Use (Use Value Appraisal)Vermont: agricultural valuation source
Virginia
CCL’s Virginia land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Virginia, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Contact local health departmentVirginia: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Virginia Department of TaxationVirginia: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Land Use AssessmentVirginia: agricultural valuation
Washington
CCL’s Washington land page- Surface-water allocation
- HybridUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Washington, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- Department of Health septic system guidanceWashington: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Washington Department of RevenueWashington: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Open Space Taxation Act (farm and agricultural land)Washington: agricultural valuation source
West Virginia
CCL’s West Virginia land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: West Virginia, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- On-Site Wastewater Management programWest Virginia: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- West Virginia Tax DivisionWest Virginia: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Farm use valuationWest Virginia: agricultural valuation
Wisconsin
CCL’s Wisconsin land page- Surface-water allocation
- RiparianUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Wisconsin, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DSPS private onsite wastewater programWisconsin: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Wisconsin Department of RevenueWisconsin: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural use-value assessmentWisconsin: agricultural valuation source
Wyoming
CCL’s Wyoming land page- Surface-water allocation
- Prior appropriationUniversity of Arkansas / WVU: Wyoming, Table 1 (PDF)
- Onsite wastewater / septic
- DEQ small wastewater systems programWyoming: onsite wastewater agency
- Property tax agency
- Wyoming Department of RevenueWyoming: property tax agency
- Agricultural valuation program
- Agricultural land valuationWyoming: agricultural valuation
Sources and verification method
Verified . Rules and agency pages change. Each populated field links to the state agency, statute or land-grant university source used for that entry. The source URL returned HTTP 200, including after redirects, when checked with curl or a headless browser showing the expected content.
Entries citing Water Rights Tables use the surface-water column in Table 1, published by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Law Center and authored by West Virginia University researchers. These labels summarize broad allocation frameworks; permits and preserved older rights can affect a particular use. The separate groundwater column is not used.
“Ask the state agency” means no sufficiently specific, live source was verified for that field. It does not mean that a program or rule does not exist. We left fields blank when a source was blocked, unavailable or did not support the precise statement. We did not infer water law from a state’s location. Program names identify a place to start checking; they do not establish eligibility or a tax saving.