Which of the following is a legal rather than a physical characteristic of a site?
Correct Answer
B) The zoning classification that applies to it
Zoning is a legal land-use restriction. Slope, drainage, bearing capacity and parcel dimensions are physical characteristics, even though they can sometimes be altered through work or subdivision. Legal and physical attributes both affect feasible use; neither is assumed permanently unchangeable.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B is correct because zoning classification is a legal land-use restriction imposed by government regulation. It governs permitted uses and intensity rather than describing the land's physical makeup. Like physical traits, it can affect feasible use and value.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: The slope and drainage across the parcel
Option A, slope and drainage across the parcel, describes the site's topography and water flow. These are physical characteristics, even though grading work can sometimes change them.
Option C: The soil bearing capacity beneath the surface
Option C, soil bearing capacity beneath the surface, is a physical property of the ground that affects what can be built. It is a physical characteristic, not a legal one.
Option D: The shape and dimensions of the boundaries
Option D, the shape and dimensions of the boundaries, describes the parcel's physical size and configuration. These are physical characteristics, even though subdivision can sometimes change them.
Law on Paper, Land Underfoot
Legal characteristics live on paper, like zoning codes and deeds. Physical characteristics are things you could see or measure standing on the site.
How to use: Use this to classify a site attribute as legal or physical.
Exam Tip
Ask whether the attribute comes from a law or document or from the land itself. Zoning, easements and deed restrictions are legal; topography, soils and dimensions are physical.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Classifying zoning as a physical characteristic because it affects building size
- -Treating physical traits as legal because a permit is needed to change them
- -Assuming legal or physical characteristics can never be changed
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests the distinction between legal and physical characteristics of a site. Legal characteristics arise from laws, regulations and recorded rights, while physical characteristics describe the land itself. Zoning is a public land-use regulation, while slope, drainage, soil and shape are features of the ground.
Background Knowledge
Site analysis considers legal characteristics such as zoning, encumbrances, restrictions and entitlements, and physical characteristics such as size, shape, topography, soils and improvements. Both groups influence what uses are possible and permissible. Neither type is assumed to be permanently unchangeable.
Real-World Application
An appraiser inspecting a vacant parcel notes its gentle slope, good drainage and irregular shape. The appraiser then checks the municipal zoning map and any recorded restrictions to complete the legal side of the site description.
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Previous Question
An appraiser is analyzing the $900,000 cash sale of a house. The improvements contribute $500,000. The sale also conveyed a separately marketable one-acre parcel of excess land, which vacant sales indicate is worth $120,000. What site value does the sale indicate for the primary homesite?
Next Question
The subject is a vacant site near a dairy farm or dairy processing plant. A comparable vacant site without this proximity sold for $830,000. Paired land sales indicate a discount of $170,000 for the proximity stigma, which makes the subject inferior to the comparable. No other adjustments apply. What is the indicated land value of the subject?