Real Estate Licensing Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson Exam - Topic 4 Question 8 Discussion

Actual exam question for Real Estate Licensing's Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson exam

Question #: 8
Topic #: 4

[All Massachusetts-Real-Estate-Salesperson Questions]

A broker lists a property abutting a pond. A potential buyer is interested in the property but plans to build an addition onto a boathouse. The buyer will need

AApproval from the local conservation commission.

BA letter of interim control.

CA certificate of compliance.

DApproval from the State Sanitary Commission.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

If a property abuts a pond, the potential construction of any addition, especially near water, may require approval from the local conservation commission. This is because Massachusetts law, under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, 40), regulates activities near water bodies, wetlands, and other protected areas to preserve the environment and control construction near these sensitive areas.

The local conservation commission is responsible for approving construction projects that could affect the pond or surrounding wetlands. If the buyer intends to build near the pond, especially on land that may fall under these regulations, they must seek the approval of the local conservation commission before proceeding with construction.

by Youlanda at Nov 25, 2025, 11:17 AM

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Bok

10 hours ago

Wow, I didn’t know conservation commissions had that much power!

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Tyra

6 days ago

I thought you only needed state approval for major projects.

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Lacresha

11 days ago

Wait, are you sure it’s not a letter of interim control?

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Beata

16 days ago

Totally agree, conservation rules are strict!

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Alishia

21 days ago

I'd go with A) just to be on the safe side. Don't want the conservation commission coming after you with pitchforks and torches!

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Graciela

26 days ago

A) Approval from the local conservation commission is the only logical choice here. Can't build near a pond without their say-so.

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Charlie

1 month ago

B) A letter of interim control? That doesn't even make sense for this situation. The buyer needs to go through the proper channels with the local authorities.

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Brock

1 month ago

C) A certificate of compliance sounds like the way to go. That's probably what the buyer needs to get the proper paperwork in order.

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Melvin

1 month ago

A) Approval from the local conservation commission is definitely the right answer here. You can't just build anything you want near a pond without their approval.

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Gianna

2 months ago

I'm confused about the letter of interim control. Is that really necessary for building an addition? I thought it was more for zoning issues.

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Gwen

2 months ago

I practiced a question like this before, and I think it was about getting local approvals for construction near water bodies.

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Cherilyn

2 months ago

I remember something about needing a certificate of compliance for building near water, but it could also be the conservation commission.

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Cecil

2 months ago

Okay, this seems straightforward. The buyer is doing construction near a pond, so they'll need approval from the local conservation commission. That's the whole purpose of those commissions - to oversee development near sensitive environmental areas. I'm pretty sure A is the right answer here.

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Diane

2 months ago

A) Approval from the local conservation commission is usually required for building near water.

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Gerald

2 months ago

I think the buyer might need approval from the local conservation commission since the property is near a pond, but I'm not entirely sure.

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Jovita

3 months ago

I'm a little lost on this one. The options all sound like they could be relevant, but I'm not sure which one is the specific approval needed for building an addition to a boathouse. I'd probably have to guess and hope for the best, unless I can remember something from the lectures about this kind of situation.

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Berry

3 months ago

D) Approval from the State Sanitary Commission? What does that have to do with building an addition to a boathouse? This question is a real head-scratcher.

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Kanisha

3 months ago

Hmm, this one's tricky. I'm not totally sure about the different types of approvals needed for building near a body of water. I'd probably try to eliminate the options that don't seem relevant, like the State Sanitary Commission. But I'm not confident I can nail down the right answer.

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Naomi

3 months ago

I think I'd start by looking at the key details - the property is near a pond, and the buyer wants to build an addition to a boathouse. That sounds like it might involve environmental regulations, so I'd guess the answer is A) Approval from the local conservation commission.

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