Air space refers to the portion of real estate located above ground level. Owners of property with vertical structures often have rights to the air space above their tangible property, up to a certain elevation regulated either by local laws or agreements.
A building line is a designated boundary at a specific distance from the lot's front and/or sides beyond which the construction of buildings is restricted. It ensures uniformity and compliance with zoning regulations.
A building permit is an official authorization granted by a local government entity that allows for the construction, expansion, modification, or renovation of a building or structure. This legal requirement ensures that construction complies with building codes, zoning laws, and safety standards.
Building restrictions are provisions in building codes that affect the orientation, size, and appearance of a building, implemented to ensure safety, aesthetics, and sometimes cultural coherence of structures within a particular area.
Density zoning refers to laws that regulate the number of structures or occupants permitted per unit of land area, aiming to control land use intensity, promote sustainable development, and manage population density.
Development rights refer to the legal entitlements attributed to property owners to improve and develop a piece of land within certain regulatory constraints set by local authorities.
Downzoning involves changing the zoning classification of a tract of land to a less intensive use than currently permitted. It can affect the owner's investment-backed expectations and may raise compensation issues.
Exclusionary zoning refers to municipal regulations that effectively bar certain types of housing or people from living in certain areas, predominantly limiting access for low- and moderate-income individuals.
Extra-Jurisdictional Territory (EJT) refers to areas outside the official legal boundaries of a city or other governmental unit, over which that government has limited control. The extent and specifics of the territory and controls are defined by state law.
A designated area where the buildings are considered to have significant historic character, which makes the area eligible for certain federal assistance programs and protects it from clearance in conjunction with federally sponsored projects.
In real estate, a lot line is a demarcated boundary that defines the perimeter of a property described in a property survey. These lines are crucial for determining the exact dimensions and legal boundaries of the land.
A nuisance refers to a land use or activity that is incompatible with surrounding land uses, potentially affecting the enjoyment or value of nearby properties. Zoning laws and private deed restrictions are utilized to control and prevent such nuisances.
Municipal rules governing the use of land that provide specific regulations and guidelines for various land-related practices.
Regulatory taking occurs when government regulation limits the use of private property to such an extent that it effectively takes the property without direct compensation to the owner.
Rezoning is the legal process of changing the designated use of a specific parcel or group of parcels on a zoning map, altering the previous permitted activities to suit new needs or goals. This can involve changing residential areas to commercial, industrial to residential, and more.
Spot Zoning refers to the act of rezoning a specific parcel of land to a use that differs from the zoning classification of its surrounding area. This practice is often scrutinized for creating inconsistencies in land use and is generally disallowed by courts.
A survey in real estate refers to the process by which a parcel of land is measured and its area ascertained. It involves detailed measurements, boundaries, areas, and contours and can also refer to canvassing attitudes or market characteristics in the real estate market.
