Areas of Practice

Question 1

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Answer 1

Total floor area of a building/ground area. Ex.) 2,000sf floor area on 4,000sf ground area. FAR = 2,000/4,000 = 0.5

Question 2

Performance Bond

Answer 2

An agreement between the property owner and the community to ensure that the final plat is built as shown on the drawings within a certain time period. If developer fails to meet requirements, government may use the bond to cover the cost of constructing the improvements. The bond is released once the improvements are in place and have been inspected by the local government.

Question 3

Subdivision bonuses

Answer 3

Extension of development benefits beyond those normally offered in exchange for enhancements such as affordable housing, cluster housing, and open space preservation.

Question 4

Conditional use

Answer 4

Allow a certain use in a district only when it is compatible with its surroundings. The conditional use permit is also known as a special use permit or specific use permit; issued run with the land, or run with the ownership

Question 5

Nonconforming use

Answer 5

Property use that existed prior to the adoption of district regulations and is allowed to continue under the “grandfather clause”. Might be amortized depending on the community

Question 6

Variance

Answer 6

change in the terms of the zoning regulations due to economic or physical hardship. There are two types of variances: the use variance and the area variance