What is the exam-ready answer?
| Roadmap lesson | 60 of 500 |
|---|---|
| Official syllabus topic | Government Land-Use Controls |
| Official PSI area | Land Use Controls and Regulations |
| Published area weight | 5% of the 100-question national portion |
| Exam portion | National salesperson portion |
| Source edition | PSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026 |
| Last verified | August 2, 2026 |
The Rule
PSI publishes the weight for the complete content area, not a fixed question count for this lesson. Learn the rule well enough to apply it when PSI changes names, numbers, or parties in a new scenario.
Complete lesson
Read each concept as part of one decision system. The exam often gives one accurate statement and three statements that belong to a nearby concept.
Planning and zoning
A comprehensive plan guides long-term development. The zoning ordinance implements public policy through districts, permitted uses, density, setbacks, height, parking, and similar requirements.
Building codes and permits
Codes address construction and safety. A building permit authorizes specified work, and a certificate of occupancy generally confirms that completed premises may be occupied for the approved use.
Subdivision and development controls
Public rules may govern street access, utilities, drainage, lot dimensions, dedications, and approval of new parcels.
Environmental controls
Federal, state, and local rules can affect wetlands, flood hazards, wastewater, contamination, protected resources, and the feasibility or cost of development.
Decision rule
Georgia-specific distinction
Worked example
Scenario. A warehouse use is allowed in a district, but the owner wants to construct a large addition.
Reason it through. Permitted use answers only the zoning question. Construction must also satisfy site, building, fire, environmental, and permit requirements.
Answer. The owner needs all applicable approvals, not zoning permission alone.
Common exam traps
- Treating a comprehensive plan as a private covenant
- Assuming permitted use waives building codes
- Confusing a building permit with a certificate of occupancy
- Assuming rules are identical in every Georgia locality
Original practice questions with detailed explanations
These questions were written for instruction and mapped to the current outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Question 1Which control most directly establishes district uses and setbacks?
- A. Zoning ordinance
- B. Deed
- C. Promissory note
- D. Appraisal
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: A. Zoning ordinance
A zoning ordinance defines public use districts and dimensional requirements.
Question 2What does a building permit generally authorize?
- A. A title transfer
- B. Specified construction work
- C. A loan payoff
- D. A deed restriction amendment
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. Specified construction work
The permit authorizes work subject to approved plans and applicable codes.
Question 3A use complies with zoning. Is every other approval automatically satisfied?
- A. Yes
- B. No
- C. Only for residential property
- D. Only if the owner pays cash
Show answer and explanation →
Answer: B. No
Building, environmental, subdivision, fire, and occupancy rules may still apply.
Mastery tracking
Mark this lesson mastered only when every statement is true.
- State the direct answer and decision rule without notes.
- Explain every core concept in plain English.
- Solve the worked example after changing one important fact.
- Identify the Georgia distinction before reading answer choices.
- Answer all three questions correctly and reject every distractor.
- Repeat the topic in mixed practice on a later day.
Recommended next lesson
Continue with Variances, Special Uses, and Nonconforming Uses. Continue to roadmap lesson 61 and build on this decision rule.
Return to the Land Use Controls and Regulations hub to see every official branch and the complete lesson sequence for this content area.