Land Use & Zoning
What is a 'vested rights' doctrine in Rhode Island land use law?
AThe right of a municipality to revoke any permit at any time
BThe principle that once a developer has substantially relied on a permit or approval and incurred significant expense, the government cannot retroactively change the rules✓ Correct
CA property owner's right to always get a variance
DThe state's right to take private property for public use
Explanation
The vested rights doctrine protects developers who have substantially relied on a permit and incurred significant expense before a change in regulations. Rhode Island courts have recognized that once rights are vested, subsequent regulatory changes cannot be applied retroactively.
Related Rhode Island Land Use & Zoning Questions
- What is a 'conditional use permit' (CUP) in Rhode Island and how does it differ from a variance?
- A nonconforming use in a Rhode Island zoning district is one that:
- What is 'agricultural preservation' in Rhode Island?
- Rhode Island's Zoning Enabling Act grants municipalities the power to regulate all of the following EXCEPT:
- A special use permit (also called a conditional use permit) in Rhode Island is required when:
- Rhode Island's coastal regulations administered by the CRMC are particularly important for development in which zone?
- In Rhode Island, zoning authority is delegated to:
- A Rhode Island developer who wants to subdivide a parcel into five or more lots must obtain approval from:
Practice More Rhode Island Real Estate Questions
1,500+ questions covering all exam topics. Start free — no signup required.
Take the Free Rhode Island Quiz →