ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Air rights

Air rights is a term that refers to a property owner's right to the "space" above their land. Cities have laws that limit what can be done with air rights - usually a building or structure must not be so tall that it blocks the sunlight or view of a nearby property. Air rights can be sold or leased so that a developer can use the space above a property to build bigger structures, like a tall building in an urban area.