chapter 14 bylaw

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT regulated by zoning bylaws?

1. Change in ownership or occupancy of a building, structure, or land
2. The size, design, and location of advertisement signs in a given area
3. The number of buildings permitted on a given parcel of property
4. The number of parking spaces required for a 10,000 seat auditorium

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1

Changes of ownership or occupancy of a building, structure or land are not regulated by zoning bylaws. Generally speaking, zoning bylaws regulate the use of property, the location of buildings on the property and the form and shape of buildings on the property.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the usual three parts of a zoning bylaw?

1. The regulations applicable to each particular zoning district
2. An official community plan
3. An official map
4. General administrative and interpretation sections

Answer 2

Correct Answer: 2

Option (2) is correct because a municipality may, but is not obliged to, adopt an official community plan by bylaw; however, it is neither a zoning bylaw nor one of the usual three parts of a zoning bylaw. Options (1), (3), and (4) are incorrect because zoning bylaws usually consist of three parts: regulations applicable to each particular zoning district, such as what uses are permitted; the official map which shows the location of each zone; and general administrative and interpretation sections applicable to all or most zoning districts.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about improvement districts is FALSE?

1. Improvement districts are established by the provincial government following a petition by the residents of the area involved.
2. Improvement districts are limited to rural areas only.
3. Improvement districts are governed by elected trustees who may pass bylaws to carry out the district’s objectives.
4. The main powers of improvement districts relate to the construction, operation or maintenance of utilities in rural areas.

Answer 3

Correct Answer: 2

Option (2) is correct because the boundaries of an improvement district may include areas within a municipality. Although improvement districts are generally located in rural areas, this is not necessarily the case. Options (1), (3), and (4) are incorrect because they are all true statements.

Question 4

Bert recently proposed a subdivision plan which was accepted by the approving officer. Bert is anxious to find out what may be required of him under subdivision bylaws. Which of the following requirements or regulations could NOT be imposed on a subdivider such as Bert?

1. The requirement to provide roads and street lighting
2. The requirement to set aside land for a park or school
3. A building scheme for the residences to be built in the subdivision
4. The duty to protect riverbanks within the subdivision from development

Answer 4

Correct Answer: 3

Subdividers of land may be subjected to a number of requirements and regulations. A building scheme is not one of those regulations, but rather a method used by developers themselves to maintain aesthetic uniformity in a new housing development.

Question 5

Tussaud bought a large piece of property in the Vancouver area on which she constructed a wax museum. The area was subsequently rezoned to residential use. What will most likely be the new status of Tussaud’s tourist attraction?

1. Under the new zoning bylaw, the museum will be deemed an illegal use of land and Tussaud will be forced to shut it down.
2. The museum may continue operation as a legal non-conforming use of the land, but only while owned by the original owner, Tussaud.
3. The museum may continue operation as a legal non-conforming use, but may lose this status if it shuts down for more than 90 days.
4. Tussaud will only be able to continue operation of the tourist attraction in this area if she applies for and is granted a development variance permit.

Answer 5

Correct Answer: 3

Option (1) is incorrect because zoning bylaws cannot be retroactive. Option (2) is incorrect because the status of legal non‑conforming use of land may continue through successive changes in ownership. Option (3) is correct because the status of non‑conforming use will be lost if the use is discontinued for more than six months (90 days in Vancouver), unless the discontinuance is part of normal seasonal or agricultural practice. Option 4 is incorrect because a development variance permit cannot vary the land use provisions in any bylaw.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a type of bylaw enacted by local governments?

1. Zoning bylaws
2. Strata bylaws
3. Building bylaws
4. Subdivision bylaws

Answer 6

Correct Answer: 2

Strata bylaws are enacted by strata corporations rather than local governments.