Land records · Parcel maps · October 5, 2026
What Is a Reverter Clause in a Deed?
What is a reverter clause? Deed language that sends property back to the grantor if a condition is broken, such as use only for a church or school.
What is a reverter clause? It is language in a deed stating that ownership will automatically return to the grantor, or the grantor’s heirs, if a specified condition is broken or a specified use ends. A classic example is land deeded to a town “so long as it is used as a public park.” If the park closes, the land may revert. Reverter clauses appear most often in older deeds and in gifts of land to churches, schools, railroads, and governments. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
How reverter clauses work
Reverter language creates what lawyers call a fee simple determinable, with a “possibility of reverter” held by the grantor. Similar but distinct is a fee simple subject to a condition subsequent, where the grantor has a “right of reentry” and must take action to reclaim the land.
| Type | Typical words | What happens on breach |
|---|---|---|
| Fee simple determinable | “So long as,” “until,” “while” | Title may revert automatically |
| Fee simple subject to condition subsequent | “But if,” “provided that,” “on condition that” | Grantor may choose to reclaim |
See what is fee simple for the broader picture.
Common examples
- Land given to a church or school for that use only.
- Railroad rights of way granted for railroad purposes.
- Parkland donated to a city.
- Land sold with a requirement to build within a set time.
Why they cause problems today
Decades later, the original grantor may be long gone, with dozens of heirs. If the use changes, it can be unclear who holds the reversion. Reverter clauses can create a cloud on title and make land hard to sell or finance.
State limits
Many states have passed laws limiting how long reverters and rights of reentry last, often extinguishing them after a period of years unless renewed by recording a notice. Marketable title acts in some states can also cut off old interests. Rules vary considerably.
Finding reverter clauses
- Read every deed in the chain, not just the current one.
- Look for conditional words like “so long as” or “provided that.”
- Check plats and dedications for public land.
- Review the title commitment for exceptions referencing conditions.
Our guide to finding deed restrictions explains where to look.
Clearing a reverter
Options may include getting a release or quitclaim from the grantor’s successors, relying on statutes that extinguished old reverters, or filing a quiet title action. Title insurers may agree to insure over expired reverters in some cases.
Bottom line
A reverter clause sends land back to the grantor or heirs if a condition is broken, most often in old gifts for church, school, park, or railroad use. They can cloud title years later, though many states now limit their duration. Read the full chain of deeds, check state law, and clear old reverters before buying. Find county records on the Platbookmapper map.
What is a reverter clause FAQ
What does a reverter clause do?
It returns ownership to the grantor or heirs if a stated condition is broken or a use ends.
Are reverter clauses enforceable?
Often, but many states limit their duration or require periodic re-recording.
How do I find a reverter clause?
Read deeds throughout the chain of title and look for words like “so long as” or “provided that.”
Can a reverter clause be removed?
It may be released by the grantor’s successors, extinguished by statute, or cleared by a quiet title action.
What is the difference between a reverter and a right of reentry?
A reverter may operate automatically; a right of reentry requires the grantor to act to reclaim the land.