The Economics of Zoning Laws: A Property Rights Approach to American Land Use Controls - Softcover

Fischel, William A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801835623 ISBN 13: 9780801835629

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1987

Synopsis

Land use controls can affect the quality of the environment, the provision of public services, the distribution of income and wealth, the development of natural resources, and the growth of the national economy. The Economics of Zoning Laws is the first book to apply the modern economic theory of property rights to all major aspects of zoning.

Zoning laws are neither irrational constrints on otherwise efficient markets nor disinterested attempts to correct market failure. Rather, zoning must be viewed as a collective property right, vested in local governments and administered by politicians who rationally repsond to their constituents and to developers as markets for development rights arise.

The Economics of Zoning Laws develops the economic theories of property rights and public choice and applies them to three zoning controversies: the siting of a large industrial plant, the exclusionary zoning of the suburbs, and the constitutional protection of propery owners from excessive regulation. Economic and legal theory, William Fischel contends, suggest that payment of damages under the taking clause of the Constitution may provide the most effective remedy for excessive zoning regulations.

About this title

About the Author

William A. Fischel is professor of economics at Dartmouth College.

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801835623
• ISBN 13: 9780801835629
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400