Unit 1: Government Land Use Controls

Question 1

What is the master development plan?

Answer 1

A comprehensive, long-term plan of development for a community.

Question 2

What are the other names for the master development plan?

Answer 2

Comprehensive Plan or General Plan

Question 3

What are the 5 land use classifications?

Answer 3

1) residential
2) commercial
3) industrial/manufacturing
4) agricultural
5) mixed

Question 4

What is a buffer zone?

Answer 4

An area of land that separates two significantly different land use zones.

Question 5

What do you often see in buffer zones?

Answer 5

Parks

Question 6

What is the purpose for land use restrictions?

Answer 6

To protect against uncontrolled growth, protect public health, and preserve compatibility.

Question 7

What is required for all new construction and most renovations?

Answer 7

Building permits

Question 8

What is the purpose of building permits?

Answer 8

To ensure that property owners are in compliance with building codes.

Question 9

What are building codes concerned with?

Answer 9

The structural integrity and safety of buildings.

Question 10

What do building codes determine?

Answer 10

The type of construction material that can be used.

Question 11

What is received after fulfilling all the requirements of the building permit?

Answer 11

Certificate of Occupancy (COs)

Question 12

Who sets zoning laws and ordinances?

Answer 12

It is set at a local (city or county) level.

Question 13

What do zoning laws and ordinances do?

Answer 13

Specifies the types of construction allowed and identifies the location and placement of improvements on the property.

Question 14

What are setbacks?

Answer 14

Provisions in a zoning ordinance that do not allow structures to be built within a certain distance of the property line.

Question 15

T/F Illegal use of building codes or a zoning violation does not become legal or acceptable because a certain amount of time has passed; they are not “grandfathered” in.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

When an ordinance or zoning law changes, what allows an owner to continue present use even though it no longer complies with the current law?

Answer 16

Nonconforming use.

Question 17

What is another name for nonconforming use?

Answer 17

Grandfathered or grandfather clause

Question 18

What is a variance?

Answer 18

Permission to build a structure in a way that violates the strict terms of the zoning ordinance to relieve or prevent economic hardship.

Question 19

What is conditional use or special use permit?

Answer 19

It allows a particular property to be used for a special purpose that is in the public’s best interest.

Question 20

T/F Brokers and salespeople should explain that it is the buyer’s responsibility to verify that the current zoning rules will meet the buyers’ needs.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

Which number in a width-times-length description is the street front of the property?

Answer 21

The first number.

A lot that is 57x108 has a 57 foot street front.