---
title: "Compare a development agreement to the authorizing sections"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/draft-or-review-a-planning-agreement-or-development-contribution-deed/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A12-T1-R10-US"
practice_area: "Planning & Environment"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Compare a development agreement to the authorizing sections

> List whether the draft names a person with a legal or equitable interest, whether it covers unincorporated land in a city sphere of influence, and whether it states an annexation period.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/draft-or-review-a-planning-agreement-or-development-contribution-deed/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | List whether the draft names a person with a legal or equitable interest, whether it covers unincorporated land in a city sphere of influence, and whether it states an annexation period. Quote the clauses on permitted uses, density, and design and construction standards. Do not say the agreement is valid, and do not add a fee clause. State law governs, and the lawyer confirms the governing state. For example, California. |
| What the lawyer must review | Government Code section 65865(a) allows a city, county, or city and county to enter a development agreement with a person who has a legal or equitable interest in the real property. Subsection (b) allows a city agreement for unincorporated territory in its sphere of influence, but the agreement does not become operative unless annexation is completed within the time the agreement specifies, and otherwise it is null and void. Subsection (c) requires procedures and requirements, by resolution or ordinance, when an applicant asks. Subsection (e) requires compliance with section 66006, for an agreement entered on or after 1 January 2004, as to any fee received or cost recovered. Section 66006 was not opened. Section 65866(a) provides that, unless the agreement says otherwise, the rules on permitted uses, density, and design, improvement, and construction standards are those in force at execution. The agreement does not prevent later non-conflicting rules, and it does not prevent denial or conditional approval of a later development-project application. Subsection (b) applies the section to a charter city. Section 65864 is legislative findings and is not the grant of power. You decide whether the interest exists and whether any annexation time has been met. Opinion 512 and Model Rule 1.6 apply if the draft is put into a tool. State law governs, and the lawyer confirms the governing state. For example, California. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Draft or review a planning agreement or development-contribution deed](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/draft-or-review-a-planning-agreement-or-development-contribution-deed.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: List whether the draft names a person with a legal or equitable interest, whether it covers unincorporated land in a city sphere of influence, and whether it states an annexation period. Quote the clauses on permitted uses, density, and design and construction standards. Do not say the agreement is valid, and do not add a fee clause. State law governs, and the lawyer confirms the governing state. For example, California.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Section 66006 was not opened. Do not describe what a fee report must contain.
- Other states do not use this development-agreement article. California is the opened example.
- State law governs; confirm the governing state before relying on this.

## Sources

- [California Government Code section 65865 (development agreements)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=65865.) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [California Government Code section 65866 (rules in force at execution)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=65866.) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Forms and precedents for this task

| Form or precedent | Kind | AI level | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Planning agreement (voluntary planning agreement): review checklist and letter of offer (NSW, EP&A Act ss 7.4 to 7.7)](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/planning-and-environment/planning-agreement-review-checklist.md) | Checklist | Yellow | Checklist for preparing or reviewing a NSW planning agreement against the matters s 7.4(3) requires, the s 7.11 and 7.12 exclusion rules, exhibition and explanatory note steps, registration on… |

Signed-in accounts can read the full text of each one.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*