Under what authority does the government enforce zoning laws, building codes, and health codes?

The government enforces zoning laws, building codes, and health codes under the authority known as police power. This refers to the inherent authority of the state to regulate behavior and enforce order within its territory for the purpose of promoting the general welfare, health, and safety of its citizens.

Police power allows for the establishment of regulations that govern land use, construction standards, and health regulations, ensuring that developments are safe for the public and meet certain standards. For instance, zoning laws dictate how land can be used (such as residential, commercial, or industrial), while building codes ensure that construction practices meet safety and structural integrity standards. Health codes, meanwhile, aim to safeguard public health and prevent issues such as spreading disease or ensuring sanitation in food establishments.

This framework is critical because it allows local and state governments to shape communities and manage growth, providing a systematic approach to urban planning and public health. Other governmental powers, such as regulatory power, refer more broadly to the administration of rules but do not specifically encapsulate the authority for the enforcement of laws related to health, safety, and order as police power does.