Site Control
Site control is the practical ability to advance a project on a specific site through a binding right (or set of rights) to purchase, lease, or otherwise control the land long enough to complete diligence and secure approvals. In development practice, site control is commonly achieved through purchase contracts with contingencies, option agreements, or long-term ground leases, depending on who bears entitlement and development risk.
- Where it applies
- Generally, not specific to New York
- When it comes up
- Site acquisition; pre-development; entitlements
- Property types
- All development sites (residential, mixed-use, office, retail, industrial, civic)
In practice
In entitlement-heavy markets, "site control duration" is a core risk variable: it must cover environmental review, public review timelines, and inevitable redesign cycles without forcing premature closing.
Related terms
Land and Site Acquisition
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.