Chapter 1
Brokerage Operations and Management
Course: Alaska Real Estate Exam Prep
Subject: National Real Estate Broker Exams Prep
Chapter: Property Ownership And Land Use
Land Use Controls
Land use controls regulate how property may be developed, occupied, improved, and used. These controls protect public health, safety, welfare, environmental quality, and orderly community growth.
Real estate ownership does not provide unlimited freedom regarding property use. Governmental authorities and private agreements impose restrictions governing development density, building standards, environmental protection, permitted activities, and structural requirements.
Land use regulation affects property value, development potential, investment performance, financing feasibility, and marketability. Real estate brokers must understand land use controls because these regulations directly influence property rights and permissible uses.
Police Power and Land Use Regulation
The legal basis for most land use controls is the government’s police power, which allows regulation protecting public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.