American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following terms describes the act of applying comprehensive land use plans to local jurisdictions?

1. Local zoning.

2. Land use regulation.

3. Community planning.

4. Regional planning.

The correct answer is: Local zoning.

The term that accurately describes the act of applying comprehensive land use plans to local jurisdictions is local zoning. This is primarily because local zoning refers to the specific regulations and laws that govern land use at the municipal level, allowing local governments to implement the broader strategies and goals outlined in comprehensive plans. Zoning typically includes designating different areas for residential, commercial, industrial use, and establishing building codes and densities, directly influencing how land can be utilized within the community. Community planning focuses more broadly on the overall policies and processes of maintaining and improving a community’s quality of life, often encompassing various elements beyond just land use, such as economic and social factors. Regional planning, on the other hand, deals with larger geographic areas and the coordination of land use policies across multiple jurisdictions, which is different from the localized application of land use laws. Land use regulation is a more general term that might encompass different aspects of land management without specifically referring to the application at the local level. Therefore, local zoning is the most precise term for this concept.