American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which was the first state to introduce statewide zoning and when?

1. California in 1950

2. Florida in 1965

3. Hawaii in 1961

4. New York in 1933

The correct answer is: Hawaii in 1961

Hawaii was the first state to introduce statewide zoning, implementing its zoning law in 1961. The introduction of statewide zoning in Hawaii was significant as it aimed to address rapid population growth and urbanization. The state's unique geographical and ecological challenges made it imperative to have a comprehensive zoning approach to manage land use effectively. This pioneering action by Hawaii reflected the state's need to balance development with conservation, ensuring that environmental considerations were integrated into land use planning. The statewide zoning law also established a framework for local jurisdictions to create their own zoning regulations while adhering to broader state goals. California, while influential in land use planning, did not establish a formal statewide zoning law until later. Florida's statewide zoning came in 1965, while New York enacted zoning laws well before Hawaii but did so at the local level initially, with the state's first statewide comprehensive planning being a considerably later development.