Property Characteristics & Law·Encumbrances

1.2 - Legal Descriptions, Land Use Controls, and Encumbrances

  • Legal descriptions: metes and bounds (POB; direction/distance; closes at POB), rectangular survey (section = 640 acres; quarter section = 160 acres), lot and block (platted subdivision)
  • Public land use: police power (zoning, codes), eminent domain (condemnation + just compensation), escheat (no heirs), taxation (super-priority)
  • Zoning: variance (hardship deviation), special use permit (conditional use), nonconforming use (pre-zoning; legal to continue), spot zoning (inconsistent; often challenged)
  • Private controls: deed restrictions, CC&Rs (run with land; enforceable by neighbors)
  • Easements: appurtenant (benefits parcel; dominant vs. servient tenement) vs. in gross (benefits person/company); created by: express grant, prescription, necessity, implication
  • License: revocable permission; NOT an easement
  • Liens: tax/assessment (super-priority) → mechanic's → mortgage → judgment
  • Specific vs. general liens; voluntary vs. involuntary liens

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