diff --git a/backend/app/api/v1/parcels.py b/backend/app/api/v1/parcels.py
index f63ed9a2..918eba14 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/v1/parcels.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/v1/parcels.py
@@ -1034,6 +1034,9 @@ async def get_parcels_by_bbox(
     lon_km = (max_lon - min_lon) * 111.32 * math.cos(math.radians(lat_mid))
     bbox_area_km2 = round(lat_km * lon_km, 4)
 
+    # cad_parcels has only (cad_num, geom) — area derived via ST_Area on geography
+    # cast for meter accuracy. land_category not stored on this table; returned NULL
+    # until enrichment from EGRN is wired (tracking: vault B5 EGRN contract note).
     sql = text("""
         WITH bbox AS (
             SELECT ST_MakeEnvelope(
@@ -1048,8 +1051,8 @@ async def get_parcels_by_bbox(
             p.cad_num,
             ST_Y(ST_Centroid(p.geom)) AS centroid_lat,
             ST_X(ST_Centroid(p.geom)) AS centroid_lon,
-            p.area_m2,
-            p.land_category,
+            ST_Area(p.geom::geography) AS area_m2,
+            NULL::text AS land_category,
             pus.status AS user_status
         FROM cad_parcels p
         CROSS JOIN bbox
@@ -1058,7 +1061,7 @@ async def get_parcels_by_bbox(
             AND pus.user_id = CAST(:user_id AS text)
         WHERE p.geom IS NOT NULL
           AND ST_Intersects(p.geom, bbox.env)
-        ORDER BY p.area_m2 DESC NULLS LAST
+        ORDER BY ST_Area(p.geom::geography) DESC NULLS LAST
         LIMIT CAST(:limit AS int)
     """)