development rights

American

plural noun

rights to use real property, such as farmland, in ways that differ from the current use.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another project, in which Chevron has a 30% stake, was granted development rights to a neighboring area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Until now, the festival had taken place under permitted development rights, which allow certain temporary events without formal planning permission.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

One way forward could be a land swap or transfer of development rights, allowing developers to use the conservancy land and the conservancy to preserve the private holdings.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2025

Permitted development rights meant the local authority did not need planning permission to construct the units, which will stand for five years.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2024

For under metropolitan conditions fee ownership, either of land or of its development rights, seems to give the only certainty of control over land's use.

From The Nation's River A report on the Potomac from the U.S. Department of the Interior by United States. Dept. of the Interior.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023