Principles

Question 1

Uniform standards of construction originating in NYC in 1916 to protect the health, welfare and safety of people. Regulates the use of land, light, air and open space while protecting property values and protecting against nuisances, undesirable business and dangers.

Answer 1

Zoning

Question 2

Encourages private developers to provide amenities for public use in exchange for opportunity to build larger or taller structures on a site.

Answer 2

Incentive Zoning:

Question 3

Building is no longer permitted by the zoning ordinance. Typically allowed to stay unless it’s unsafe.

Answer 3

Nonconforming Use

Question 4

A building that is permitted in an area that it is not zoned for, to benefit the public

Answer 4

Conditional Use

Question 5

Applied for by an owner on a private site to ask to deviate from an ordinance in order to avoid hardship.

Answer 5

Variance

Question 6

A change in the zoning ordinance for a particular area

Answer 6

Spot Zoning

Question 7

A municipal law

Answer 7

Ordinance

Question 8

Required open space measured between property line and face of building. Used to preserve light, air, and spaciousness.

Answer 8

Setbacks

Question 9

Utilized by communities principally to achieve planned street patterns. They help insure that buildings will not be erected in the bed of projected streets or of
potential street widening.

Answer 9

Building Line

Question 10

Legal right of government or another land owner to use one’s property for a
specific purpose

Answer 10

Easements

Question 11

Prevents development that upsets something scenic to the public.

Answer 11

Scenic Easement

Question 12

Valuation of property for the purpose of taxes

Answer 12

Assessment

Question 13

Used to fund public space improvements (new
streetscapes/graffiti removal) with the intention that it will enhance an area’s appeal. All business owners in district who would benefit pay increased taxes.

Answer 13

Business Improvement Districts

Question 14

Power of the state to take private property without owner’s consent, but with fair market value of the land compensation. Must be used government or public development (highways, railroads, civic center), economic development, or to mandate an easement for access (public utilities, right of way).

Answer 14

Eminent Domain

Question 15

Place limitations on the use of the property, typically by original developers, who determined what land would be used for (live, work, or play) and can’t be changed by future owners.

Answer 15

Deed Restrictions

Question 16

Limitations and stipulations used in residential settings. Can be aesthetic (allowable color pallets, vegetation types/pruning, fencing materials) pet control (how many and/or living conditions), or storage related (visibility of parked cars/boats/ campers).

Answer 16

Restrictive Covenant

Question 17

Commits a buyer to performing duties in the future (e.g. will make payments for common charges in a condo)

Answer 17

Affirmative Covenant

Question 18

If restriction is violated or disregarded, the land will revet back to original owners/heirs.

Answer 18

Conditional Covenant

Question 19

Right for people to cross land of another (pathways/cattle drives)

Answer 19

Right-of-Way

Question 20

Area 24 mi. on a side defined by parallels/meridians & divided into 16 townships

Answer 20

Check

Question 21

Area 6 miles on a side; divided into 36, 1-mile sections

Answer 21

Township

Question 22

1 mile square parcel of land containing 640 acres

Answer 22

Section

Question 23

Area 1/2 miles on each side

Answer 23

Quarter Section

Question 24

43,560 square feet

Answer 24

One acre