Legal Definitions - limit

In legal contexts, a limit refers to a boundary, a restriction, or the maximum extent to which something can be done, exercised, or allowed. It defines the permissible scope of power, rights, actions, or obligations.

• Example 1: Contractual Timeframe

  Imagine a software development company signs a contract to deliver a new application to a client within six months. This six-month period is a limit on the project's duration.

  Explanation: The contract establishes a clear boundary for the completion time. If the company exceeds this six-month limit without a valid extension, they might face penalties or be considered in breach of contract, demonstrating a restriction on the permissible timeframe for performance.

• Example 2: Governmental Authority

  A state legislature passes a law granting local municipalities the power to levy property taxes, but specifies that the tax rate cannot exceed 2% of a property's assessed value. This 2% cap is a limit on the municipalities' taxing authority.

  Explanation: The state law sets a maximum extent for the local government's power to tax. The municipalities have the right to impose taxes, but that right is restricted by the 2% limit, defining the boundary of their legal authority.

• Example 3: Property Use Restrictions

  A homeowner purchases a property in a residential zone where local zoning ordinances place a limit on the number of unrelated individuals who can live together in a single-family home, perhaps to no more than three.

  Explanation: This ordinance imposes a restriction on how the property can be used, specifically regarding occupancy. While the homeowner has rights to use their property, those rights are bounded by this legal limit, preventing them from housing more than the specified number of unrelated individuals.