The required connection or relationship between a government exaction and the impact created by a proposed development. Without an essential nexus, conditions imposed on development permits violate the constitutional prohibition against uncompensated takings.
From Latin 'nexus' meaning 'binding' or 'connection.' In legal context, emphasizes the requirement that government actions be logically related to legitimate purposes rather than arbitrary or pretextual. The term gained prominence in land use law through Supreme Court takings doctrine.
The nexus requirement prevents cities from using development permits as opportunities to shake down property owners for unrelated community improvements. If your gas station expansion creates parking problems, the city can require more parking spaces—but it can't demand you fund a new fire station across town. This protection emerged from the Nollan case, where California tried to condition a building permit on allowing public beach access that had nothing to do with the proposed construction.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.