Knowing the current zoning on a piece of property is not the same as understanding the property’s land use. Many cities have a Land Use Plan to help guide growth. Land use plans can be reviewed and amended by the city legislatures as the needs of the city change. If the city has developed one, it will be available at the city hall. You may want to review this document to understand current and future use of any tracts of property near the house site. This is especially important when there is a great deal of undeveloped land nearby. In short, a Land Use Plan will indicate what future uses the city would be willing to consider for the property. Designation of zoning codes for land use varies from city to city so it is important you ask what these codes mean. In some cities, land may be zoned as R36 (Residential Housing; minimum square footage of lot at 36,000) or carry an agricultural designation, but the Land Use Plan indicates the city will be receptive to a request to change the zoning to commercial, light industrial, multifamily or neighborhood services. The development of a community is not written in stone, it evolves with community needs, but the Land Use Plan is a good indication of future intentions.