Land Use & ZoningIntermediateCalifornia Exam

Under California law, which document serves as the 'constitution' for a city or county's long-range land use planning?

AZoning ordinance

BSpecific plan

CGeneral PlanCorrect

DSubdivision Map Act

Why General Plan Is Correct

Answer C: General Plan

The General Plan is the foundational long-range planning document for California cities and counties. Zoning ordinances must be consistent with the General Plan.

Key Land Use & Zoning Terms in This Question

Zoning

Local government regulations that control land use by dividing areas into zones specifying permitted uses, building sizes, and densities.

People Also Study

Key Terms to Know

Zoning

Local government regulations that control land use by dividing areas into zones specifying permitted uses, building sizes, and densities.

Variance

Official permission to use land in a way that does not conform to the applicable zoning ordinance, granted by a zoning board when strict enforcement would cause undue hardship.

Easement

A non-possessory right to use another person's land for a specific purpose.

Eminent Domain

The power of government to take private property for public use, with the requirement to pay the owner just compensation.