Common Terms

Approving Officer
... an employee of the Ministry of Transportation, a Regional District, a Municipality or a representative of the Nisga'a Lisims Government that has been appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council in accordance with the Land Title Act.

Bare Land Strata
... the division of a parcel of land such that there are two or more fee simple strata lots together with common property.

Building Scheme
... a registered charge against title that sets out restrictions against the form of a building on a parcel of land. A developer or community group generally controls the restrictions.

Condominium
... generally refers to a building that has been subdivided by way of the Strata Property Act so that each apartment or townhouse has a unique fee simple title and an interest in the common property.

Covenant
... a restriction of use controlled by one property or one authorized entity over another property.

Easement
... a charge against title giving one property certain rights of access and use over some or all of another property.

Fee Simple
... absolute ownership of real property with unrestricted rights of disposition.

Geotechnical hazard
... a potential hazard on a site that is caused by an unstable geological condition as determined by a Professional Engineer specializing in Geotechnical matters.

Land Development
... a very broad term that generally refers to changing the use of, or any structures located on, a parcel of land.

Lease
... a contract by which one party (landlord, or lessor) gives to another (tenant, or lessee) the use and possession of lands, buildings, property, etc. for a specified time and for fixed payments.

Municipality
... a city, town, etc. having its own incorporated government for local affairs.

Right of Way
... a charge against title giving an authorized entity certain rights of access and use over some or all of another property. This is a special form of easement.

Strata
... the division of a parcel of land or a building on a parcel of land such that there are two or more fee simple strata lots together with common property.

Subdivision
... the division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels.

Tenure
... the act or right of holding property, an office, a position, etc.

Unorganized Territory
... an area within the province that has not been incorporated as a municipality and is not an Indian Reserve.

Zoning
... the land use designation assigned to a property or an area by the local municipality or regional district.