Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 1 Exam Practice

What do riparian rights include?

1. The right to establish a commercial enterprise on the water.

2. The right to construct buildings on the waterfront.

3. The right to explore and extract minerals.

4. The right of a property owner to access and use adjacent water.

5. The right to lease waterfront property.

6. The right to use airspace above the water.

The correct answer is: The right of a property owner to access and use adjacent water.

The correct choice reflects the fundamental principle of riparian rights, which are privileges attached to landowners whose property borders a watercourse. Specifically, these rights guarantee that these property owners have access to and can utilize the adjacent water for various purposes, such as fishing, swimming, boating, and other reasonable uses. Access and use are central to riparian rights, allowing property owners to benefit from the water resources that naturally occur alongside their land. This is important for property owners as it recognizes their relationship with the body of water and aims to ensure that they can enjoy the recreational and economic benefits that water provides. In contrast, the other options misinterpret the nature of riparian rights. For instance, establishing a commercial enterprise or constructing buildings typically involves additional permits and regulations beyond mere access to water. Similarly, exploring and extracting minerals pertains more to mineral rights and might not be directly linked to the water's use, while leasing waterfront property involves different legal considerations. Lastly, the right to use airspace above the water falls outside the scope of riparian rights, which specifically address the relationship between property and adjacent water bodies.