Legal Terms

Question 1

Police Power

Answer 1

Constitutional authority to enforce/make laws that protect public health, safety, and welfare

Question 2

5th amendment

Answer 2

Private property cannot be taken for public use without fair compensation and due process.

Question 3

10th amendment

Answer 3

A state has the authority to exercise a power if it’s not in the constitution and the constitution doesn’t say that the state can’t do it.

Question 4

14th amendment

Answer 4

No state shall create/enforce laws that deprive constituents of life, liberty, happiness, without due process. Laws must be equally applied and equally protected.

Question 5

Allowed Uses

Answer 5

A use permitted by right without public process and only approved via administrative paperwork.

Question 6

Conditional Use

Answer 6

A use that would mitigate impacts on neighborhood and must go through public process via planning commission.

Question 7

Variance

Answer 7

A variance is a waiver from a specific zoning ordinance. It must be based on a hardship due to a unique set of circumstances associated with the property.

Question 8

Floor Area Ratio refers to…

Answer 8

The maximum amount of square footage permitted on a lot in proportion to the lot area

Question 9

Zoning

Answer 9

Tool to implement general plan

Question 10

Role of Planning Commission

Answer 10

Creates/recommends general plan

Question 11

Role of board of adjustment

Answer 11

reviews variances and appeals

Question 12

True or false:
A variance may be granted to allow a land use that is not permitted in a zoning district

Answer 12

FALSE