Land Use & Zoning

In Idaho, which document describes the overall long-term vision for land use in a city or county?

AThe zoning ordinance

BThe comprehensive plan (general plan)✓ Correct

CThe subdivision regulations

DThe building code

Explanation

The comprehensive plan (also called a general plan or master plan) is the long-range policy document that describes the community's vision for land use, transportation, housing, and other elements. Zoning ordinances implement the comprehensive plan.

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.

Eminent Domain

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

Adverse Possession

A doctrine by which a person can gain legal title to another's land by openly, continuously, and adversely occupying it for a statutory period.