American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

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What is a primary purpose of zoning laws?

To generate revenue for local governments
To control land use and development patterns
To restrict property ownership
To ensure maximum profit for developers

The correct answer is: To control land use and development patterns

Zoning laws are primarily established to control land use and development patterns within a specific area. This means that these laws dictate how land can be utilized, guiding the types of activities that can occur in various zones, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural uses. By regulating the density of developments, the height and bulk of structures, as well as the nature of businesses that can be operated, zoning helps to create orderly growth and development, promotes public health and safety, and protects the character of neighborhoods. This control over land use is essential to ensure that incompatible uses are separated, preventing issues such as residential areas being invaded by disruptive industrial activities. It allows communities to plan for infrastructure, amenities, and services in a manner that supports sustainable development. Hence, the effectiveness of zoning laws in managing growth and maintaining community standards underlines why the purpose of zoning laws centers around controlling land use and development patterns.