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 the 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.

Answer explanation

A legal nonconforming board rules that a property can operate the same until sold, destroyed or used for any other commercial purpose. Illegal use would be if the the property operated wrongfully after zoning rules.

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 nonconforming use is allowed if the zoning board is notified.

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

• inspection report.

• satisfaction of occupancy.

• 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.