American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Under what condition must land-use restrictions demonstrate according to the ruling in Dolan v. City of Tigard?

1. Clear public necessity

2. Rough proportionality between impacts and exactions

3. Community consensus on development needs

4. Strict adherence to zoning laws

The correct answer is: Rough proportionality between impacts and exactions

The ruling in Dolan v. City of Tigard established that land-use restrictions must demonstrate "rough proportionality" between the exactions imposed by the city and the impacts of the proposed development. This means that the governmental entity requires developers to provide certain improvements or provisions as a condition for issuing permits, but those demands must be closely tied to the actual impact the development will have on the community. The concept of rough proportionality ensures that any conditions or requirements placed on the developer are not excessive compared to the anticipated negative effects of the development. This is an essential factor in ensuring that the government's actions do not amount to an unconstitutional taking of property without just compensation, as it maintains the balance between private property rights and the need for community accountability. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that without this proportional relationship, the conditions imposed could be viewed as arbitrary, leading to an infringement on the developer's rights. Therefore, maintaining this rough proportionality is key to upholding constitutional standards in land-use regulations.