What characterizes a public nuisance?

A public nuisance is characterized by an interference with a right that is common to the general public. This type of nuisance typically affects a broad group of people or the community at large, rather than just a single individual. For instance, activities that may obstruct public roadways, pollute air or water, or create hazards for a large number of people exemplify public nuisances.

The distinction is made clear by the nature of the rights affected; public nuisances concern the collective interests of the community, such as health, safety, or comfort, rather than private property rights. This shared element is essential to understanding public nuisances and differentiates them from private nuisances, which primarily involve individual property rights and typically affect only one landowner or a small group of individuals concurrently.

The other aspects noted in the options highlight incorrect interpretations. For instance, unreasonable interference with private property refers more to private nuisances than public ones. Likewise, a nuisance that only affects a single individual does not fit the definition of public nuisance, nor does the notion that a public nuisance is invariably temporary; such nuisances can indeed be ongoing and persistent.