What are air rights?

Air rights refer specifically to the rights associated with the use and control of the airspace above a piece of land. This concept is crucial in real estate as landowners may sell or lease the air rights above their property, allowing others to build structures that extend into the airspace. For instance, in urban areas, air rights can be particularly valuable, as developers might want to construct high-rise buildings that reach above existing structures.

Understanding air rights is essential for leasing agents since they can impact property development, zoning regulations, and the overall value of a property. While options about owning land beneath the surface or accessing subsurface resources do involve rights relating to real estate, they pertain to different aspects of property rights. Air rights specifically highlight the vertical component of land ownership, which is pivotal in urban planning and development scenarios.