Euclid v. Ambler Realty Company 272 U.S. 365 (1926)

• Author: Leonard W. Levy
• Pages: 929

Page 929

This case established the constitutionality of ZONING laws to regulate land use. In Euclid a Cleveland suburb sought to preserve an area of single-family dwellings by excluding even two-family dwellings and apartment houses, as well as commercial properties and public buildings. Against claims drawn from supposed deprivations of liberty and property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW and a supposed denial of the EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAWS, a 6?3 Supreme Court, speaking through Justice GEORGE SUTHERLAND, sustained the comprehensive zoning ordinance. It was, the Court ruled, a legitimate STATE POLICE POWER measure intended to maintain the residential area and thus protect the community's health, peace, and safety. As a result of this leading decision on comprehensive zoning laws, no argument drawn from the FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT or from the takings clause is likely to...