Test 3: Land Use; Legal Descriptions; Contract Law

Which of the following is true regarding master planning and zoning?

• The aggregate of zoning ordinances is the master plan.

• A master plan eliminates the need for zoning ordinances.

• Master planning is a county-level function; zoning is limited to the city level.

• Zoning ordinances are a primary means of keeping land use in harmony with the master plan.

The basic intent of zoning ordinances is to

• establish the basis for public ownership of land for the common good.

• establish subdivision rules and regulations.

• specify usage for every parcel within the zoning authority's jurisdiction

• restrict development in unincorporated areas.

Why do zoning authorities create different types of zones?

• To ensure that a variety of building structures are available in the community.

• To separate land uses so that they do not interfere with each other.

• To preserve high density land uses.

• To discourage industrial and commercial users from relocating.

The key consideration in granting a zoning exception known as a special exception is which of the following?

• Hardship

• Change of zones

• The public interest

• The use was legal prior to the new zone creation

The intensity of land usage generally refers to what?

• The number of residential building lots per acre.

• The number of people per square mile.

• The number of building permits issued per year within a zoning jurisdiction.

• The area of a commercial or industrial facility in relation to the size of the site.

How does Planned Unit Development zoning vary from ordinary zoning?

• It applies only to office parks.

• It incorporates a number of different zones within a single property boundary.

• It requires that multiple tracts of land be developed according to a single design.

• It requires developers to obtain a separate building permit for every structure.

Which of the following situations is most likely to represent an illegal nonconforming use?

• A homeowner in a residential zone converts her residence to a private school.

• A homeowner builds a toolshed in a neighborhood where there are no toolsheds.

• A storeowner remodels a storefront in accordance with regulations, and then the zoning is

  changed to residential.

• A new zoning ordinance outlaws two-story additions after a homeowner completes an addition.

What is the difference between a variance and a nonconforming use?

• A variance, once granted, is unconditional and permanent.

• A variance is granted by the zoning board if the owner has a justifiable reason.

• A nonconforming use is allowed if the owner requests it in advance of building.

• A nonconforming use violates current zoning, but a variance does not.

A document certifying that a structure complies with building codes and is ready for use is referred to as a(n)

• inspection report.

• satisfaction bond.

• certificate of occupancy.

• user permit.

Which of the following is true of an eminent domain proceeding?

• It cancels the property owner's mortgage loan balance.

• It leaves the property owner with equitable title in place of legal title.

• It conveys legal title to the acquiring entity.

• It clouds the chain of title by canceling the original grant.