This lesson will explore the government’s zoning authority and some recurring legal issues.

Zoning laws control land use, typically by specifying allowable or prohibited uses for a particular area. Zoning can affect a wide range of activities, from the general uses of land down to details such as architectural standards and building sizes.  

Zoning authority comes from a state’s police power, which is the power to promote public health, safety, and welfare. States may also allow zoning...