law
brownfield
Abandoned or underused industrial or commercial property where redevelopment is complicated by actual or suspected environmental contamination. Former gas stations, factories, and dry cleaners are common examples. Federal and state programs offer grants, tax incentives, and some liability protection to encourage cleanup and reuse. Buyers typically order environmental site assessments before purchase to evaluate risk.
- Exam tip
- Brownfields relate to contaminated land being reused, often discussed alongside Superfund (CERCLA). Remember that liability protections for buyers usually depend on proper due diligence.
- Example
- A city offers tax credits to a developer who cleans up a closed metal-plating plant and builds apartments on the site.
Related terms & state variants
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Last verified: 2026-10-23