Chapter 12 - Land Use, Subdivision, & Housing Vocabulary Flashcards
Chap 12 Vocab
abatement of nuisance
Extinction or termination of conduct or activity that interferes with use or enjoyment of property.
Allodial System
The system of land ownership that allows anyone to own land.
Amperage
Amount of electricity going through electric wires, measured in amperes (amps).
anchor bolt
(1) Attaches mud sill to foundation. (2) Embedded in concrete foundation.
Anchor Tenant
Major department or chain store strategically located at shopping centers to give maximum exposure to smaller satellite stores. A center may have several anchor tenants. Also called Magnet Store.
Area Variance
Entitles landowners to use land in a way that is typically not allowed by the dimensional or physical requirements of the zoning law.
Association Fees
Monthly fees paid by each condominium or cooperative owner for common area expenses such as utilities, management, building maintenance, hazard and liability insurance for the common areas of the property, and other amenities.
bearing wall
A wall that supports a vertical load as well as its own weight.
board foot
A unit of measurement for lumber equal to the volume of the board: one foot wide, one foot long, one inch thick (144 cubic inches).
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit; used to measure the capacity of furnaces and air-conditioning units.
Building Code
A means of setting construction standards, requiring builders to use particular methods and materials; regulations establishing minimum standards for construction and materials.
Building Inspection
A process whereby local government officials ensure compliance with state and local building codes.
Building Permits
Official documents from a local government or other authority that allow the beginning of a construction or remodeling project.
Bylaws
Rules and regulations that govern the activities of condominium and cooperative associations, including the purpose of the building, rules for elections and voting, and frequency of board of directors or shareholders meetings.
Cease and Desist Order
Administrative agency directive to stop an offending activity.
City Planning
The effort on the part of the city to coordinate, direct, and control the type of development taking place so as to ensure maximum benefits to the populace.
commercial acre
(1) The area remaining from an acre of newly subdivided land after deducting the area devoted to streets, sidewalks, alleys, curbs, etc. (2) Also known as a buildable acre.
Commercial Property
Property zoned and used for business purposes, such as warehouses, restaurants, and office buildings (as distinguished from residential, industrial, or agricultural property).
Common Area Maintenance (CAM)
All costs incurred in maintaining the common areas of a commercial property, including parking lot sweeping and repair, snow removal, common utilities, landscaping, and other maintenance tasks. CAM costs are usually prorated among all tenants.
Common Areas
The land and improvements in a condominium or cooperative that all residents use and own as tenants in common, such as the parking lot, hallways, and recreational facilities. Common Law Law that has developed over many years through court decisions and other precedents. – An entire common interest subdivision except the separate interests therein.
common interest development
A common-interest development combining the individual ownership of private dwellings with the shared ownership of common facilities of the entire project.
common interest subdivision
Individuals owning a separate lot or unit, with an interest in the common areas of the entire project. The common areas are usually governed by a homeowners’ association.
Comprehensive Plan
A written document prepared by a local planning board that identifies the goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies, standards, and strategies for the growth and development of a community, including its housing needs. Also called Master Plan.
Conditional Use (Permit)
A land use that does not comply with the general zoning rules for the zone in which it is located, but is permitted because it benefits the public, for example, a hospital in a residential neighborhood. Also called Special Exception or Special Use.
Condominium
A property developed for co-ownership, with each co-owner having a separate interest in an individual unit, combined with an undivided interest in the common areas of the property and air space consisting of the area between the walls, floor, and ceiling. – A housing unit consisting of a separate fee interest in a particular specific space, plus an undivided interest in all common or public areas of the development. Each unit owner has a deed, separate financing and pays the property taxes for their unit.
Cooperative
A type of property ownership under which residents have the right to occupy a unit by purchasing stock shares in the corporation that owns the property. – (1) Ownership of an apartment unit in which the owner has purchased shares in the corporation that holds title to the entire building. (2) A residential multi-family building.
Co-Ownership
Any form of ownership in which two or more people share title to a piece of property, holding undivided interests. Also called Co-Tenancy or Concurrent Ownership.
Crawl Space
Unfinished space below the first floor of a house, less than a full story in height, usually containing plumbing and other functional elements. – Exterior or interior opening permitting access underneath a building, as required by building codes.
Curtesy
An interest held by a married person in the real property owned by a spouse; refers to a husband’s interest in his wife’s property. Not recognized in all states.
Dedication
The donation of real property by a private owner to the public.
Downzoning
A zone change from a high density use to a lower density use. For example, a commercial zone to a light industrial zone.
Eminent Domain
The government’s constitutional power to take private property for public use, as long as the owner is paid just compensation. (Condemnation is the action; eminent domain is the right.) – (1) The right of the government to take private property from an owner, for the public good, paying air market value.
Encapsulation
The process of applying a sealant to asbestos-containing material, which penetrates the material’s surface, preventing the release of the dangerous fibers into the air.
energy efficient ratio
(1) A measurement of the efficiency of energy; used to determine the effectiveness of appliances. (2) Also known as EER.
ENERGY STAR
A program, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that sets standards for energy-efficient consumer products and homes.
Environmental Impact Report
(1) A study of how a development will affect the ecology of its surroundings. (2) Also known as EIR.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The federal agency tasked with creating and enforcing environmental protection standards, helping others with environmental pollution problems, and providing research on environmental issues.
