1. Zoning ordinances and building codes are exercises of the government's:
Answer & explanation
Answer: D. Police power is the right to enact laws for public health, safety, morals and general welfare, including zoning and building codes.
law
zoning
Zoning is local government regulation of land use, carried out under the police power, that divides a community into districts such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. Zoning ordinances control what may be built, building height, lot size, setbacks, and density. Zoning carries out the community's master plan and is administered by local zoning boards, with exceptions handled through variances or special use permits.
- Exam tip
- Zoning is a public land-use control and an exercise of police power, so no compensation is owed. Deed restrictions are private controls.
- Example
- A town zones a neighborhood for single-family homes only, so an owner there cannot convert his house into a four-unit apartment building without approval.
Related terms & state variants
Sources
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Last verified: 2026-10-23