American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

A key purpose of zoning regulations is to?

1. Enhance property values

2. Control land use

3. Encourage urban sprawl

4. Facilitate property ownership transfers

The correct answer is: Control land use

Zoning regulations primarily serve to control land use by designating specific areas for particular types of development and activities. This control helps ensure that the character of neighborhoods is maintained, that incompatible uses are separated, and that the community grows in an orderly manner. By establishing zoning districts, local governments can dictate how land is used—whether for residential housing, commercial businesses, industrial activities, or agricultural purposes—thereby promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare. The intention behind zoning is to guide growth and development according to a community’s goals and plans. This regulatory framework prevents certain land uses from being established in areas where they might disrupt the environment or lead to conflicts among different types of developments. For instance, having zoning regulations that restrict heavy industry in residential areas helps protect the quality of life for residents. While enhancing property values may be an indirect effect of effective zoning, and it may help facilitate orderly property transfers, these are not the fundamental purposes of zoning. Urban sprawl, which typically refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, is not something that zoning aims to encourage; rather, effective zoning seeks to manage growth and prevent sprawl by promoting denser, more sustainable development patterns.