Land Use & Zoning Flashcards
6 cards from real CPP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Land Use & Zoning flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a 'Specific Plan' in California land use planning?
Answer: To provide detailed implementation policies and standards for a defined geographic area consistent with the General Plan
California's Specific Plan Act allows detailed land use plans for specific areas, including distribution of uses, standards for development, infrastructure plans, and financing.
What is 'inclusionary zoning' and its primary policy goal?
Answer: A requirement that developers include affordable housing units within new residential developments
Inclusionary zoning policies require or incentivize a percentage of new residential units to be affordable to low- or moderate-income households.
Which federal law limits local governments' ability to use zoning to effectively exclude telecommunications facilities?
Answer: Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 704
Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act prohibits local zoning decisions that have the effect of prohibiting wireless service and requires written decisions based on substantial evidence.
What is the 'substantially advances' test historically used to evaluate land use regulations?
Answer: Whether a land use condition substantially advances a legitimate government interest, evaluated under prior takings jurisprudence before Lingle v. Chevron
The 'substantially advances' test from Agins v. City of Tiburon was later rejected by the Supreme Court in Lingle v. Chevron (2005) as a takings test, clarifying that it is a due process, not takings, inquiry.
What is an 'overlay district' in zoning practice?
Answer: A supplemental zoning layer applied over a base zone that adds special requirements or permissions for specific geographic areas
Overlay districts supplement base zoning with additional standards (e.g., historic preservation, floodplain, airport safety) without replacing the underlying zone.
Which doctrine allows a property owner to continue a nonconforming use after zoning changes but requires the use to be discontinued if abandoned?
Answer: Amortization doctrine combined with abandonment rules
Most jurisdictions allow nonconforming uses to continue but treat voluntary abandonment (with intent not to return) as terminating the nonconforming status.