Land Preservation

Much of the land in Orient is protected from development thanks to the sale or donation of development rights or easements. Other protected areas are State, County and local parklands and subdivision open spaces. As of 2016, there were 772 homes in Orient, 175 individual building sites and a calculated yield of 163 additional potential building sites on subdividable unprotected land. In the town of Southold, any new subdivision over 7 acres must preserve 60% open space as a “Standard Subdivision”. “Conservation Subdivisions” protect either 75% or 80% open space. The open space requirements are met through clustering new homes on smaller lots. There are several pending large subdivision proposals in Orient. Here are links to the Southold Town Planning Department files on these proposed subdivisions:

Conservation Subdivisions:

Standard Subdivisions:

Other Resources

Conservation Options from Peconic Land Trust https://peconiclandtrust.org/our-work/conservation/conservation-options
Map of Preserved Land in Southold: https://tos.maps.arcgis.com

Protected Lands in Orient

Join Orient Association

Donate to the Orient Water Project

Recent Happenings

Southold Zoning Update Presentation and Forum – May 24, 2025

Heather Lanza, Southold Town’s Planning Department Director presented an overview of Southold’s Zoning Update progress and coordinated breakout sessions for the audience to discuss and document their concerns about Southold's Zoning Update, with a focus on Orient’s interests and participation in the process.

5 Things You Should Know About Town Code- and maybe MORE!

A discussion with Ben Johnson, Assistant Town Attorney, and Anne Surchin, Vice Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission about Southold Town Code

Saltwater Intrusion Forum

The Orient Association hosted a Forum on saltwater intrusion on Sunday, October 27th at 2pm in Poquatuck Hall. The ongoing water study points to sea level rise and saltwater intrusion as a substantial threat to the Orient community. Speakers Frederick Stumm, Research Hydrologist, from the US Geological Survey and Greg Nissen from Mermaid Water Solutions will share their knowledge of recent changes in the saltwater levels in coastal areas and how to handle them.