Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Practice Exam

What is referred to as local land use control?

1. Police power

2. Zoning regulations

3. Building permits

4. Environmental assessments

The correct answer is: Police power

Local land use control involves the authority that local governments exercise over the development and use of land within their jurisdictions. This control is often a function of what is known as police power, which is the inherent authority of the state or local government to enact laws and regulations to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community. In the context of real estate and land use, police power enables local governments to enforce zoning regulations, issue building permits, and conduct environmental assessments to ensure that land is used in a manner that aligns with community plans and regulations. Regulations implemented under police power can dictate land-use patterns, density, and the types of structures that can be built, thereby guiding the development within a municipality. While zoning regulations, building permits, and environmental assessments are tools or mechanisms used to implement local land use control, the overarching authority and justification for these regulations stem from police power. Understanding this concept is essential for real estate professionals, as it influences how properties can be developed and utilized in specific areas.