Wisconsin Real Estate License FREE Wisconsin Real Estate License Land Use Controls Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Wisconsin municipality wants to change a residential zone to commercial. What is the formal process called?
- Rezoning (Correct answer)
- Spot zoning
- Downzoning
- Nonconforming use
Correct answer: Rezoning
Rezoning is the formal legislative process by which a municipality amends its zoning ordinance to change the designated use of a parcel or area.
Question 2: Which Wisconsin agency is primarily responsible for enforcing shoreland zoning regulations?
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Correct answer)
- Local planning commission
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- County sheriff's office
Correct answer: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin DNR establishes minimum standards for shoreland zoning, which counties must adopt and enforce to protect navigable waters.
Question 3: Under Wisconsin's Smart Growth law, comprehensive plans must include how many required elements?
- Nine (Correct answer)
- Seven
- Five
- Twelve
Correct answer: Nine
Wisconsin's Comprehensive Planning Law requires that local comprehensive plans contain nine elements, including land use, transportation, housing, and economic development.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a conditional use permit in Wisconsin land use regulation?
- To allow a use that is permitted only with special conditions attached (Correct answer)
- To grant permanent rezoning of a parcel
- To exempt a property from all zoning requirements
- To authorize demolition of a historic structure
Correct answer: To allow a use that is permitted only with special conditions attached
A conditional use permit allows a land use that is generally compatible with the zoning district but requires specific conditions to mitigate potential impacts.
Question 5: In Wisconsin, which type of land use restriction runs with the land and binds future owners?
- Restrictive covenant (Correct answer)
- Variance
- Building permit
- Zoning hearing decision
Correct answer: Restrictive covenant
Restrictive covenants are private agreements recorded against a property's title that run with the land and bind all subsequent owners.
Question 6: What must a Wisconsin property owner demonstrate to obtain a use variance from the local zoning board?
- Unnecessary hardship unique to the property (Correct answer)
- Financial inconvenience from current zoning
- That neighbors support the requested change
- That the property was recently purchased
Correct answer: Unnecessary hardship unique to the property
Wisconsin law requires a property owner to prove unnecessary hardship that is unique to the property, not self-created, in order to obtain a use variance.
Wisconsin Real Estate License FREE Wisconsin Real Estate License Land Use Controls Questions and Answers 2
A Wisconsin municipality wants to change a residential zone to commercial.
What is the formal process called?