Typical Land Assembly Duration
The full process of identifying, negotiating, and securing parcels can take 12 to 36 months depending on site complexity
- Smaller sites with few owners may be completed in under a year
- Large or fragmented parcels with multiple stakeholders often require two to three years
- Timing depends on seller responsiveness, legal due diligence, and valuation gaps
- External factors like zoning changes or public project announcements may accelerate or delay progress
Aligning Assembly with Entitlement Milestones
Coordinating land acquisition with the entitlement process helps reduce idle time and financial risk
- Option agreements allow entitlement work to begin without full purchase commitment
- Phased acquisition can match rezoning, permitting, or infrastructure approval schedules
- Key parcels should be secured before initiating detailed design or traffic studies
- A parallel track approach keeps entitlement moving while negotiation continues
Risks of Premature or Delayed Closings
Closing too early or too late on parcels can affect financing, project staging, or design finality
- Early closings increase carrying costs and exposure to entitlement delays
- Late closings may block site plan submission or disrupt permit deadlines
- Gaps in site control may weaken funding applications or pre-lease commitments
- Timing must account for legal recording, title clearance, and environmental review windows
Recommended Timeline Strategies
Realistic planning requires flexibility, legal buffers, and parallel execution tracks
- Build a 6- to 12-month contingency into the acquisition schedule
- Secure key corner or access parcels first to avoid critical path conflicts
- Use milestone-driven closing dates tied to regulatory approvals or zoning success
- Maintain regular coordination between legal, planning, and acquisition teams
