Wisconsin Real Estate License Wisconsin Real Estate License Land Use Controls Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Wisconsin law, which government body typically has the primary authority to enact zoning ordinances?
- The state legislature
- County or municipal governing bodies (Correct answer)
- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- The federal government
Correct answer: County or municipal governing bodies
In Wisconsin, counties, cities, villages, and towns are granted zoning authority under state enabling statutes to regulate land use within their jurisdictions.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a conditional use permit (CUP) in Wisconsin zoning?
- To permanently change a property's zoning classification
- To allow a use not otherwise permitted in the zoning district under specific conditions (Correct answer)
- To exempt a property from all building codes
- To transfer development rights to another parcel
Correct answer: To allow a use not otherwise permitted in the zoning district under specific conditions
A conditional use permit allows a land use that is not permitted by right in a zoning district but may be allowed if certain conditions imposed by the local authority are met.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a nonconforming use in Wisconsin?
- A use that violates the current zoning but was lawful before the zoning change (Correct answer)
- A use that requires a special exception from the zoning board
- A use that has never been permitted under any zoning classification
- A use that is allowed only in commercial districts
Correct answer: A use that violates the current zoning but was lawful before the zoning change
A nonconforming use is one that legally existed before a zoning ordinance was enacted or amended and does not comply with current zoning requirements.
Question 4: In Wisconsin, what is the role of a plat review in land use control?
- To assess property tax values
- To approve the subdivision of land into lots and ensure compliance with local standards (Correct answer)
- To grant building permits for commercial construction
- To determine environmental contamination levels
Correct answer: To approve the subdivision of land into lots and ensure compliance with local standards
Plat review ensures that proposed subdivisions meet local requirements for lot size, street layout, utilities, and other standards before land is divided and sold.
Question 5: Which Wisconsin statute grants counties the authority to adopt shoreland zoning regulations?
- Chapter 59
- Chapter 236
- Chapter 281
- Chapter 59 and NR 115 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Chapter 59 and NR 115
Wisconsin counties are required to adopt shoreland zoning under Chapter 59 of the Wisconsin Statutes in conjunction with NR 115, the administrative code governing shoreland protection.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of an environmental impact statement (EIS) as it relates to land use in Wisconsin?
- To increase property tax revenue
- To evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed development before approval (Correct answer)
- To guarantee that a project will be approved
- To waive zoning requirements for green building projects
Correct answer: To evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed development before approval
An EIS analyzes the potential environmental consequences of a proposed action to inform decision-makers and the public before the project proceeds.
Wisconsin Real Estate License Wisconsin Real Estate License Land Use Controls Questions and Answers 2
Under Wisconsin law, which government body typically has the primary authority to enact zoning ordinances?