Government Powers Flashcards
Zoning ordinances
Regulate and control the use of land.
Type of structures permit, lot sizes, building heights, setbacks (distance from the lot line to the building line), style, and appearance of structures, and density.
Laws set by county or city
Zone classification
Land is divided into designated areas or zones, which identifies how the land may be used
Planned unit development PUD
Mixed-use zoning
Are developments of several acres that set aside areas for residence, commercial property, public areas, and industrial property
Buffer Zone
Is a strip of land that separates one land use from another
nonconforming use
If a property’s use existed before the current zoning rules
The property use is permitted and the zoning will not retroactively stop the preexisting use
Downzoning
Occurs when zoning is changed from higher-density uses to lower-density uses
Density zoning regulates the number of units the buildings on the property may include or the number if buildings built on a tract of land
Upzoning
When zoning is changed from lower-density uses to higher-density uses
Spot Zoning
A specific property within a zoned area is rezoned to permit a use different from zoning requirements for the zoned area
Amendment
How a zoning law can be changed
Variance Permits
Is an exception to the zoning law
Conditional-use permits or special-use permits
Accommodate situations where the use of the property may be inconsistent with zoning but desirable for public convenience
Building Codes
Are enacted to protect the public health and safety from inferior construction practices
Building Permits
Ensure that building codes and zoning laws are enforced
Certificate of Occupancy
The building is inspected and if it complies with building codes a certificate is issued
The interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act
Is a federal law that regulates the sale of unimproved lots.
