Opinion ID: 2575737
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Traditional local zoning power

Text: Land use regulation in California historically has been a function of local government under the grant of police power contained in article XI, section 7 of the California Constitution. [8] We have recognized that a city's or county's power to control its own land use decisions derives from this inherent police power, not from the delegation of authority by the state. ( DeVita v. County of Napa (1995) 9 Cal.4th 763, 782, 38 Cal.Rptr.2d 699, 889 P.2d 1019.) And the Legislature, when enacting state zoning laws, has declared its `intention to provide only a minimum of limitation in order that counties and cities may exercise the maximum degree of control over local zoning matters.' ( Ibid., quoting Gov.Code, § 65800.) [9] Thus, [t]he power of cities and counties to zone land use in accordance with local conditions is well entrenched. ( IT Corp. v. Solano County Bd. of Supervisors, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 89, 2 Cal.Rptr.2d 513, 820 P.2d 1023.) In enacting zoning ordinances, the municipality performs a legislative function, and every intendment is in favor of the validity of such ordinances. ( Lockard v. City of Los Angeles (1949) 33 Cal.2d 453, 460, 202 P.2d 38.)