PSI: Land Use Controls and Regulations: Government Rights in Land Flashcards
A governmental police power that permits it to meet the need for public works by funding through a stable source of income that shares the burden among many citizens
taxation
are based on the value of the real estate. General property taxes may pay for items such as schools, police, fire, etc.
Ad valorem taxes
are imposed only on properties that benefit from the improvement, such as a tax to install a sewer line or city water line on one specific street. Other examples may include paved streets, curbs, sidewalks, or street lighting.
Special assessment taxes
Properties subject to a special assessment may have higher tax bills than surrounding properties. This can influence some buyer’s decision to _______.
purchase
Property tax liens take priority over all other property _____ in most states.
liens
The government’s power to take private land for public use. For example, eminent domain could be used to take private property needed for a planned freeway project.
Eminent domain
Governmental appropriation of property; a taking may or may not use the power of eminent domain.
taking
The process of taking title and physical possession of private property using the government’s power of eminent domain; the property owner is paid just compensation for the value of the property.
Condemnation action
The government takes private property but fails to compensate the owner; property owners are forced to file suit to obtain compensation. The taking may be physical through occupation, or regulatory, where government regulations cause the property to lose economic value.
inverse condemnation
the state’s power to take the property of a decedent who dies without a will, heirs, or creditors.
escheat
When the state claims property through escheat, it can _____ of the property to benefit the public.
dispose
_______ ________ is the government’s authority, at any level, to do what it can to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.
police power
Police power includes:
licensing, public services, zoning, and building codes.
Zoning is a police power exercised by a state, county, city, or town government that classifies
land based on its current or intended usage.
Zoning ordinances are____ _____ or regulations that implement the comprehensive plan by regulating zoning and land use and are usually enforced at the city level.
local laws
Zoning ordinances regulate things like lot size, building height, and permitted uses within each zoning classification on a ______ map.
zoning
Zoning ordinances may not violate the federal _____ __________ ___.
Fair Housing Act
Zoning compliance is often monitored by requiring developers to make application for permits, which are only granted if they’re not at ______ with _____ ordinances.
odds, zoning
______ zoning allows otherwise prohibited development in return for the developer providing a community benefit.
incentive
____ zoning regulates the density of a given area by requiring certain building height limitations, lot width, setback requirements, etc.
bulk
Bulk zoning applies to both _______ and _______ zoning.
residential, commercial
_______ zoning is a way to ensure the visual and architectural consistency of an area.
aesthetic
________ is the process of assigning a lower-density use zone to an area previously allowing a higher density. Density zoning refers to a number of things per unit, such as houses per acre.
downzoning
_____ zoning rezones a specific property for use within another zoning area.
spot
________ use: Deviates from current zoning but is grandfathered in (such as a home built years ago in an area that’s now commercially zoned).
nonconforming
Temporarily halts new property development
Moratorium
Allows use that’s not normally permitted but is considered an “allowable” use within that zoning, such as a church or daycare within a residentially zoned area.
special use permit (conditional use permit)
_______ (aka _____ __________) Permitted deviation in the zoning ordinance requirements; typically granted when the zoning has created a hardship or burden on the property owner. Both special use permits and variances require a public hearing before they’re granted.
variance, use variance
Prospective buyers should be aware of _______ ordinances and any potential challenges they may present for desired uses (for example, running a business out of a home)
zoning
Many localities have a _______ _____ board which oversees challenges to zoning actions.
zoning appeals
The ______ board ensures that community growth is controlled and orderly; the board develops the master plan (also known as comprehensive plan), which includes a budget. In a city, this is known as urban planning.
planning
Planners often account for ________ (the physical and natural features of an area).
topography
A ________ is land that’s divided into lots for development.
subdivision
A _____ map is a map of a subdivision that represents a tract of land, showing the _________ and location of individual properties, streets, easements, and other pertinent information.
plat, boundaries
A developer submits the ____ map to a planning board or zoning commission.
plat
Meetings held by planning and zoning boards must be open to the public because of ___________ laws.
sunshine
At the federal level, the ____________ ____ is part of the Freedom of Information Act (____).
Sunshine Act, FOIA
Each state usually has its own version of FOIA or a ________ law.
sunshine