Land Use & Zoning
A Washington city downzones an agricultural property from rural residential to conservation-only, preventing any development. The landowner may argue this constitutes:
AA valid exercise of police power with no compensation required
BA regulatory taking requiring just compensation under the Fifth Amendment and Washington Constitution✓ Correct
CA permissible comprehensive plan amendment
DAn administrative variance denial
Explanation
When a government regulation goes too far and effectively deprives a property owner of all economically viable use, it may constitute a regulatory taking requiring just compensation under the Fifth Amendment (and Article I, Section 16 of the Washington Constitution).
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