What is the primary function of zoning ordinances?

Zoning ordinances play a crucial role in urban planning and land use management. Their primary function is to manage land use by designating specific areas for different types of development, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural zones. This regulation helps promote organized growth and ensures that land is used in ways that are beneficial to the community, protecting the public's health, safety, and general welfare.

By controlling how land can be developed, zoning ordinances can prevent incompatible uses from being next to one another, such as factories near homes, which helps maintain a desirable living environment. They also set standards for aspects such as building heights, lot sizes, and the density of developments, which contribute to orderly community development.

The other options, while related to real estate in some way, do not encapsulate the core purpose of zoning ordinances. Property taxes are determined by local governments and are not controlled through zoning laws. Establishing property lines is more about surveying and deed restrictions than zoning. Facilitating real estate transactions is influenced by various factors, including market conditions and financing options, rather than direct regulation by zoning ordinances. Thus, managing land use stands out as the primary and defining function of zoning ordinances.