What is the purpose of zoning ordinances in land development?

Zoning ordinances serve the vital function of implementing comprehensive plans. Comprehensive plans are overarching frameworks that outline how land use should be managed in a given area, reflecting the community's vision for development, growth, and preservation. Zoning ordinances translate these plans into specific regulations that dictate how land can be used, what types of buildings can be constructed, and how properties can be developed. By establishing zoning categories, such as residential, commercial, or industrial, these ordinances ensure that land use aligns with the larger goals of community planning, maintaining order, and promoting safety in how areas are developed.

The other options address aspects of property management or taxation but do not capture the primary role of zoning ordinances. Defining property boundaries deals with legal ownership rather than development regulations. Establishing property taxes is a fiscal responsibility typically handled at the municipal level, while assessing property values relates to determining market worth, which falls outside the purview of zoning regulations. Therefore, the purpose of zoning ordinances is distinctly aligned with the implementation of comprehensive plans to guide and manage land development.