T. public restrictions

Limitations on use of real property associated with government
intervention

H. eminent domain

Power given government agencies to take private property for public use
or purpose

R. police power

Government’s authority to regulate the health, safety, welfare, and morals
of its citizens

L. general plan

The constitution for land use in each city and county in California

Y. zoning

Ordinance dividing a city or county into different districts, identifying
what uses can and cannot be made on each parcel

Z. zoning districts

Areas showing all of the possible classifications that might be given to any
particular parcel of land

B. allowed uses

Activities permitted within a zoning district as a matter of right

F. conditional uses

Activities not allowed in a zoning district as a matter of right, but that
can be allowed if the owner gets a special permit

S. prohibited uses

Any uses not listed as either allowed or conditional

V. spot zoning

Zoning changed for a single parcel without considering the larger
planning context

M. height limits

How tall buildings can be above the average grade

U. setbacks

Limit on how close a structure can be built to neighboring property lines

N. legally nonconforming use

An existing activity allowed to continue despite a change in the zoning of
a parcel

A. abatement

Legal process used to remove nuisances and code violations

X. variance

Allowing a use not strictly in compliance with local zoning or building
regulations

W. tentative map

Map showing the conceptual design of the proposed subdivision and the
improvements that will go along with it

K. final map

Map recorded in the county where the property is located

O. ministerial projects

Permits or entitlements an applicant has an absolute right to receive

G. discretionary projects

Projects a decision-maker has the authority to approve, to approve with
conditions, or to deny

Q. NEPA

Federal law requiring federal agencies to consider the environmental effects
of their decisions

C. categorical exclusion

Statutory exemption under the NEPA process given to small projects
having no impact on the environment

J. environmental impact statement

Detailed evaluation required by NEPA regarding the environmental
impact of a proposed development

P. negative declaration

A finding by state or local agency that a proposed project will not have the
potential to cause significant impacts to the environment

D. CEQA

California law providing a three-tiered environmental analysis of all
projects subject to its application

I. environmental impact report

Report required by CEQA regarding projects potentially having significant
environmental impacts

E. coastal zone

Area of land that reaches from three miles at sea to an inland boundary
varying from a few blocks in urban areas to about five miles in less-developed areas