I cannot place a building

• Placing buildings needs Inner Council rank or higher in the city's guild.
• The building must be inside your city's grid (about 700 m across the Heartwood). Only outposts go outside it.
• Walls and gates must snap to a free connector.
• Some buildings need a higher Heartwood rank; the build bar says which.
• The site must be clear of other buildings and not in water.

A placed building that does not rise is a construction site short of materials. Check the City tab. See Construction and upgrades.