American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which 1915 zoning case dealt with the operation of a brickyard in downtown Los Angeles?

1. Hadacheck v. Sebastian

2. Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co.

3. Jones v. Los Angeles

4. Nectow v. Cambridge

The correct answer is: Hadacheck v. Sebastian

The 1915 zoning case that involved the operation of a brickyard in downtown Los Angeles is Hadacheck v. Sebastian. This case is significant in the history of land use planning and zoning because it addressed the legal authority of municipalities to regulate land use and the extent to which property rights can be curtailed for the sake of public welfare, safety, and aesthetics. In Hadacheck v. Sebastian, the Supreme Court of California upheld the city’s zoning ordinance that prohibited the operation of the brickyard in a residential area. The court ruled that the government had the right to restrict land uses that were deemed incompatible with the health and safety of the community. This case exemplified the principle that zoning can be used to prevent nuisances and protect the character of neighborhoods, which has become a foundational aspect of land use law. Ultimately, it established important precedents regarding the balance between private property rights and community interests. Other cases mentioned, such as Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., Jones v. Los Angeles, and Nectow v. Cambridge, deal with different aspects of zoning law and land use regulations but do not specifically relate to the brickyard operation in Los Angeles.