Arizona Real Estate License Practice Exam

In Arizona, riparian rights are not recognized, which is the reason the answer is A. Riparian rights refer to the rights of landowners whose property is adjacent to a body of water, such as rivers or lakes, allowing them to access and use that water. However, Arizona operates under a doctrine of prior appropriation for water rights, which means that water rights are granted based on established beneficial use rather than the location of property adjacent to water.

Consequently, the state uses appropriative rights, where individuals can obtain water rights based on a permit system, often prioritizing those who first put the water to beneficial use. This system is crucial in an arid state like Arizona, where water conservation and management are essential.

The other forms of water rights recognized in Arizona include prescriptive rights, which can arise when a user has taken water without permission for a certain period, and littoral rights, which relate to properties along large lakes and oceans. However, because Arizona does not traditionally recognize riparian rights, this option stands out as the correct answer.