What is the main purpose of a zoning ordinance?

The primary purpose of a zoning ordinance is to control land use within a specific area. This regulation is crucial for local governments as it helps to implement a community's master plan, ensuring that land is used in a way that promotes orderly growth, protects the environment, and enhances the quality of life for residents. By designating specific zones for residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural purposes, zoning ordinances prevent incompatible uses from being situated close to one another, which could lead to issues such as noise, traffic congestion, or safety hazards.

While defining property rights, establishing taxes, and regulating real estate commissions are relevant to real estate, they do not encapsulate the primary function of zoning ordinances. These other aspects focus on different areas of property law and taxation rather than the management and organization of land use as dictated by zoning regulations.