American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is a key premise of zoning?

1. To encourage mixed-use developments

2. To separate incompatible land uses

3. To promote urban density in all areas

4. To increase land speculation

The correct answer is: To separate incompatible land uses

The key premise of zoning is to separate incompatible land uses. Zoning regulations are primarily established to manage the spatial distribution of various activities and to ensure that different types of land uses, such as residential, commercial, and industrial, do not adversely affect one another. By designating specific areas for particular uses, zoning helps to minimize conflicts, such as noise or pollution from industrial activities impacting nearby residential neighborhoods. While some zoning regulations may encourage mixed-use developments, the overarching goal remains to prevent incompatible activities from co-locating. Promoting urban density is typically a component of specific zoning strategies, especially in urban planning contexts; however, it is not a universal principle of zoning. Additionally, increasing land speculation is not a goal of zoning; rather, effective zoning aims to provide stability in land use by establishing clear rules and expectations within a community. Thus, the primary function of zoning is the separation and management of land uses to foster a livable environment.