A parcel doesn't have to look swampy to have wetlands on it. A dry-looking meadow, a stand of trees, even a gently sloped field can meet the legal definition if the soil, vegetation, and seasonal water patterns line up — and if they do, that part of the property may come with real limits on what you can build, clear, or grade. Here's what wetlands designations actually are, why they catch land buyers off guard, and how to check a parcel before you buy. What Is a Wetland, Lega