Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
Building or filling on federally regulated wetlands generally requires:
Answer: A. Wetlands are protected; development often needs federal/state permits, which materially affects buildability and value.
Question 2 of 5
Federal protection of wetlands under the Clean Water Act is administered primarily through permits issued by the:
Answer: B. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into wetlands and other waters.
Question 3 of 5
An owner of land containing federally regulated wetlands generally must:
Answer: A. Filling, dredging, or draining a federally protected wetland typically requires a permit; unauthorized alteration can lead to significant penalties and restoration orders.
Question 4 of 5
Occupancy limits set by a landlord must be:
Answer: A. Overly strict occupancy standards can be illegal if used to discriminate against familial status; limits must be reasonable.
Question 5 of 5
Advertising a listing only in media that reaches one ethnic or religious group can be:
Answer: A. Selective advertising that limits exposure by protected class can violate fair-housing law even without explicit discriminatory wording.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What you need to know
Wetlands under Clean Water Act jurisdiction need federal permits (Army Corps of Engineers) to fill or dredge — buying 'buildable' acreage that turns out to be wetland is a classic due-diligence failure worth disclosing. The Endangered Species Act can bar disturbing habitat. Coastal zones add state commissions and setback lines; septic systems need percolation tests; wells need water-rights confirmation. For the exam: these are material facts when known, they run with the LAND not the owner, and 'the county approved my plans' never overrides federal environmental jurisdiction.
Wetlands, Endangered Species & Land-Use Limits: FAQs
Is Wetlands, Endangered Species & Land-Use Limits on the real estate exam?
Yes. Disclosures & Environmental is a scored domain on the real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the national portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
