OBJ 2.1

Question 1

Allowable area

Answer 1

Building codes set maximums on allowable areas of buildings. Allowable area depends on construction type, occupancy classification, frontage, and sprinklers.

Question 2

Zero lot line

Answer 2

A zero lot line building is one that is built right up to the property line.

Question 3

Building envelope

Answer 3

A building envelope is the maximum three-dimensional space on a zoning lot within which a structure can be built, as permitted by applicable height, setback, and yard controls.

Question 4

Penthouse

Answer 4

Penthouses are special top-floor enclosures that are not counted as separate stories. The area and occupancy of a penthouse is governed by building codes.

Question 5

Mezzanine

Answer 5

A story between two main stories in a building, usually with a low ceiling. Mezzanines are a way to add area to a building without adding stories. Mezzanines are limited to 1/3 of the area of the floor directly below.

Question 6

Homestead Act

Answer 6

Passed by Congress in 1862, this act transferred a large amount of public land to private ownership. It allowed for 160 acres of land to be given free to anyone who built a house and lived on the land for five years.

Question 7

Wetlands

Answer 7

Areas that are saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

Question 8

Riparian rights

Answer 8

System of rights and duties that determine reasonable use, duties, and allocation of water to owners of waterfront properties. A person must own land adjacent to a body of water to be considered a riparian owner. These rights cannot be sold or transferred other than with adjoining land, and water cannot be transferred out of the watershed.

Question 9

Eminent domain

Answer 9

Owner is required to relinquish his property to a government entity if the property is needed for a public project or for an overriding public need, such as with a structure in the way of an aircraft flight path.

Question 10

Air rights

Answer 10

Right to use the open space above the land or above existing structures. It can be sold or leased.

Question 11

Variance

Answer 11

A deviation from the zoning regulations applicable to a land parcel. This is used when zoning ordinances create undue hardship on a property owner or a zoning ordinance does not completely cover unusual conditions.

Question 12

Nonconforming use

Answer 12

This use is no longer permitted by zoning ordinance. If a new zoning ordinance is applied to an existing development, some properties may contain nonconforming uses. These uses are allowed to continue unless deemed unsafe, the owner stops using the property in its original fashion, or the property is destroyed or demolished by fire. Any new use must be in compliance with zoning standards.

Question 13

Conditional use permit

Answer 13

This permit is granted by a zoning board for a special purpose for the welfare and convenience of the public. It allows nonconforming uses if the property owner meets certain restrictions and the use is in the public interest.

Question 14

Spot zoning

Answer 14

This designation is used when a parcel of land has a use classification different than that of surrounding parcels to favor a particular owner.

Question 15

Buildable area

Answer 15

This is lot area minus the required setbacks. Structures are only allowed to be built in this area.

Question 16

Lot line

Answer 16

A line dividing one lot from another or from a street or any public place.

Question 17

Estimated space needed for each car in a parking lot

Answer 17

300–350 square feet (includes drive aisles).

Question 18

What zoning ordinances regulate

Answer 18

• Types of land use allowed
• Intensity or density of development
• Height, bulk, and placement of structures
• Number and design of parking facilities
• A number of other aspects of land use and development activity

Question 19

Standard Zoning Enabling Act

Answer 19

Law enacted in the 1920s by the U.S. Department of Commerce that laid the foundation for zoning laws in most of the country. The act reflects an interest in protecting the value of private investment by separating incompatible land uses and ensuring the availability of light and air circulation through height and bulk controls.

Question 20

What two components are zoning ordinances comprised of?

Answer 20

1. The ordinance text

2. Official map or series of maps

Question 21

Permitted by “right” uses

Answer 21

Uses permitted as long as they comply with other applicable standards.

Question 22

Permitted conditional or special uses

Answer 22

May be compatible with the district’s permitted uses but are subject to discretionary review and supplemental standards intended to ensure that the particular proposed use is compatible with other uses permitted in the district.

Question 23

Permitted accessory uses

Answer 23

Uses incidental or subordinate to the district’s permitted principal uses.

Question 24

Prohibited uses

Answer 24

Uses specifically declared as not allowed in a zoned district or not allowed there in specific circumstances.

Question 25

Maximum density

Answer 25

Expressed as a number of dwelling units per acre. Used for multi-family and planned unit development.

Question 26

Minimum lot size

Answer 26

Inverse of maximum density; lot size may be converted to density by dividing the lot size into a number of square feet in an acre. Generally used for single-family and two-family dwellings.

Question 27

Maximum floor area ratio

Answer 27

The maximum ratio of building floor area to land area. This is more commonly applied to nonresidential development.

Question 28

Maximum building height

Answer 28

Expressed as number of feet, but sometimes expressed as the number of stories. Typically varies among districts in relation to the types of uses allowed and in proportion to the maximum density/intensity allowed.

Question 29

Minimum yard depth or minimum building setback

Answer 29

Used to preserve open space or separation between buildings and lot boundaries and between neighboring buildings. This varies among districts in proportion to the maximum intensity/density allowed.

Question 30

Maximum building coverage

Answer 30

Usually expressed as a percentage of lot area, it limits the size of the building footprint.

Question 31

Maximum impervious surface

Answer 31

Limits the percentage of a site’s land area that may be covered or paved; it is used to limit rainfall runoff and stormwater impacts and facilities.

Question 32

Maximum building envelope standards

Answer 32

Controls the scale of buildings in designated neighborhoods or zoning districts.

Question 33

Parking and loading standards

Answer 33

Dictates how much off-street parking space should be provided for the loading and unloading of trucks. Based on some measurement of the use’s intensity.

Question 34

Landscape planting standards

Answer 34

Typically requires some portion of development sites or at least parking lots to be landscaped to soften the visual effect of the development or parking lot and reduce the heat island effect.

Question 35

Maximum front or side setbacks

Answer 35

Used to bring buildings closer to the street or to each other, creating a more pedestrian-friendly design.

Question 36

Nonconformity standards

Answer 36

These address how to treat a land use, structure, or other feature of a development that was legal when established but would not be allowed under current zoning regulations.

Question 37

Appeal and variance provisions

Answer 37

These provisions set forth the processes by which aggrieved parties may appeal alleged errors in administrative decisions, including interpretations to the zoning board, and by which the board may relax normally applicable standards in certain conditions.