American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which city enacted the first comprehensive zoning ordinance in 1916?

1. New York City

2. San Francisco

3. Chicago

4. Los Angeles

The correct answer is: New York City

The first comprehensive zoning ordinance in the United States was indeed enacted by New York City in 1916. This landmark legislation was developed in response to the rapid urbanization and industrialization taking place at the time, which led to concerns over issues such as population density, land use, and building height. The ordinance aimed to regulate the use of land and buildings in an organized manner, protecting residential areas from the encroachment of industrial activities and ensuring that urban development was more orderly and efficient. New York City's pioneering zoning ordinance influenced many other cities across the country, laying the groundwork for modern zoning practices that continue to shape urban planning today. The comprehensive nature of this ordinance was groundbreaking, addressing not just the types of permitted uses (residential, commercial, industrial) but also the physical characteristics of buildings, such as height and bulk, which ultimately transformed the urban landscape.