01
Map it
Locate the parcel by PID when possible, then review parcel boundaries, wetlands, flood information, Crown land and zoning layers.
East Coast Keys land buyer guide
Buying Land in New Brunswick
Clarity, strategy and zero guesswork before you write the offer.
Start your researchThe honest version
Land in New Brunswick is not as simple as it looks
Buying land sounds easy until you zoom in. Zoning, wetlands, flood lines, driveway permits, soil, wells and septic can all affect whether the property works for your plan.
One missed detail can cost thousands or make the lot impossible to use the way you intended. The goal is not to make land buying scary. It is to replace assumptions with documented answers.
The land-buyer setup system
Map it. Verify it. Record it.
This is the same basic framework used to turn an overwhelming parcel into a series of answerable questions.
02
Verify it
Confirm permitted uses, setbacks, access, permits, utilities, well and septic requirements with the correct authority.
03
Record it
Save the source, date and answer for every finding. Send written questions to the planning office before relying on an assumption.
Professional-level research
Your New Brunswick land resource hub
Open the tools in new tabs and keep the PID nearby. Boundaries and online layers are screening tools, not a replacement for a legal survey or written approval.
Mapping and environmental overlays
GeoNB Map Viewer
Parcels, assessments, buildings, wetlands, flood information and municipal layers.
GeoNB Hub
The provincial gateway to mapping applications, open data and help resources.
Flood Hazard Map
Review inland and coastal flood-hazard information around a parcel.
Google Earth
Measure approximate frontage and area, mark features and export a KML to share.
Property data and planning
NB Property Assessment Online
Search by civic address, PID or PAN and review assessment and recent sale information.
Plan360
Permits, forms, community plans and zoning resources for Southeast New Brunswick.
Province-wide Planning Contacts
Find the planning office responsible for the community where the land is located.
City of Moncton By-laws
Municipal planning, zoning and subdivision by-laws for land within Moncton.
Utilities and site services
NB Power New Service
Requirements and process for bringing electrical service to a property.
On-site Sewage Disposal
Provincial information about septic approvals, guidelines and licensed installers.
New Brunswick Well Logs
Search nearby well depths, yields and available water-quality notes.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Confirm access requirements when a driveway connects to a provincial road.
Before the offer
Rapid pre-screen checklist
A cheap lot can become a very expensive project. Get the broad risks on paper before spending money on detailed investigations.
- Confirm the PID, ownership and approximate parcel boundaries
- Confirm legal road access and whether a driveway permit is needed
- Identify zoning and whether your intended use is permitted
- Check minimum frontage, lot size, setbacks and overlays
- Review wetlands, watercourses, flood zones and coastal constraints
- Confirm whether power is at the road and estimate connection costs
- Review nearby well logs and ask about water quality in the area
- Confirm septic approval requirements and whether the site is suitable
- Ask whether subdivision, rezoning or a variance would be required
- Price surveying, clearing, driveway, fill, permits and site preparation
Google Earth mini-workflow
A useful 90-second first look
This does not prove boundaries, access or buildability. It does help you organize the right questions quickly.
Locate
Search the civic address or place a pin at the parcel.
Measure
Estimate frontage and area using the line and polygon tools.
Mark
Add possible access, power, house site, wet areas and viewpoints.
Share
Export a KML for your agent, surveyor, builder or installer.
Get the answer in writing
Email the planning office
Replace the brackets, add any details about your intended use and send this to the planning authority responsible for the property.
Planning enquiry template
Subject: Pre-screening a potential land purchase - [PID #######], [Community] Hello, I'm reviewing a vacant parcel and want to confirm the basics before proceeding. Could you please advise on the following for PID [#######] in [community]: 1. Zoning and permitted uses, including [your proposed use] 2. Setbacks, minimum lot size/frontage and any overlay districts, including flood, coastal, wellfield protection or heritage 3. Whether a development or building permit would be required and what documents are needed 4. Whether subdivision, a variance or rezoning would be required for my plan Thank you, [Your Name] [Phone] [Email]
What I can help you with
Make sure the land fits the vision
Smart land acquisition needs systematic research, local context and the right specialists when a concern needs a professional opinion.
Comprehensive mapping
Use the right NB parcel, assessment and environmental layers to understand what is actually there.
Environmental review
Flag wetlands, flood exposure, watercourses, Crown land boundaries and access concerns early.
Zoning analysis
Translate zoning classifications and permitted uses into plain language for your actual plan.
Infrastructure assessment
Review power, road frontage, driveway access, wells and septic requirements before committing.
Risk identification
Find the expensive or deal-breaking questions while you can still make an informed decision.
Professional network
Connect with surveyors, builders, installers and specialists who understand New Brunswick requirements.
Before you commit
Ready to find the right parcel?
Whether the plan is a home, hobby farm or long-term investment, start with the property you are considering and the questions you need answered.