Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

What is police power in the context of land use?

1. Government's right to regulate for public welfare

2. The authority to take possession of private property

3. A tax levied on real property owners

4. The ability to seize abandoned properties

The correct answer is: Government's right to regulate for public welfare

Police power refers to the inherent authority of governmental entities to enact regulations and laws that promote public health, safety, morals, and general welfare concerning land use. This power allows governments to control and guide development, zoning, building codes, and land uses to ensure that the community's interests are protected and maintained. In this context, police power is crucial for managing urban planning and development, safeguarding environmental quality, and establishing standards that residents and businesses must follow. It's grounded in the principle that a government must be able to regulate land use to maintain the overall well-being of its citizens. The other choices focus on different aspects of property law. The authority to take possession of private property relates to eminent domain, which is a specific power separate from police power. A tax levied on real property pertains to fiscal policies rather than land use regulations. Lastly, the ability to seize abandoned properties typically falls under nuisance laws and is not a direct application of police power as it pertains to overall land use management.