What right allows the government to regulate land use to protect the public?

The correct answer, Police Power, refers to the authority granted to the government to enact regulations for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the public. This power enables governmental entities to set zoning laws, manage land-use controls, and enforce building codes.

Through police power, local and state governments can impose restrictions and guidelines that can dictate how land is used—such as designating areas for residential, commercial, or agricultural use—to ensure that the resources are utilized in a way that benefits the community as a whole. This power serves an essential function in urban planning and environmental protection, allowing governments to take measures that can prevent harmful developments and promote orderly growth.

While public access, public trust, and land rights are relevant to real estate and land use, they do not encapsulate the government's broader regulatory authority over land use in the same way as police power does. Public access generally refers to the right of the public to access certain lands, while public trust focuses on the government's responsibility to manage natural resources for public benefit. Land rights pertain to the ownership interests in real estate, which does not inherently convey the authority to regulate. Thus, police power specifically addresses the government's role in regulating land use for the public good.