Which of the following tools of public land use control represents the earliest method of police power to regulate land use? (Hint: Standards for energy efficiency and sustainability are the most recent trends in the application of this land use control.)

A. Subdivision regulation

B. Zoning

C. Building Codes

D. Planned Unit Developments

Which of the following tools of public land use control represents the earliest method of police power to regulate land use? (Hint: Standards for energy efficiency and sustainability are the most recent trends in the application of this land use control.)

C. Building Codes

Explanation:

Police power can be defined as the constitutional capacity given to the state to regulate and control behavior and enforcement of order in that given state. This authority ensures the maintenance of safety, health and well being of those residing in that state. In simple terms, it involves the limiting of individual rights for the betterment of national interests. An example of national interest that utilizes police power is land use. Land use regulations involve the controlled usage of public and private land to ensure that the overall well-being of the nation is protected. Some of the land use regulations included in the United States constitution are; subdivision regulations, zoning, building codes and planned Unit Developments.

Building Codes

Building codes can be defined as a set of rules that define the standards that are to be met within a certain region to be able to erect a structure. In the context of land use, the building codes usually specifies locations to be avoided such as near rivers, streams and water bodies. There is also land allocated for public parks. The use of building codes represents one of the earliest forms of police power to regulate land use.