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How did the Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Company affect zoning in the United States?

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Aerial view of Paris showing broad, radiating boulevards lined with historic buildings, demonstrating Baron Haussmann's city planning design. — urban planning Georges-Eugène Haussmann's modernization plan transformed many areas of Paris through the addition of wider boulevards, better lighting and water sanitation, new parks, and improved rail transportation.

The Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Company (1926) was a landmark decision that affirmed the constitutionality of zoning regulations in the United States.1

By upholding the right of municipalities to implement zoning ordinances, the ruling encouraged American cities to widely adopt the practice of single-use zoning. This approach restricts specific areas to one land-use type—such as residential, commercial, or industrial—to separate what are deemed incompatible uses. Consequently, this style of regulation became known as "Euclidean zoning".1

While intended to create order, this model has been criticized by many urban planners for promoting urban sprawl. By segregating housing from schools, stores, and workplaces, Euclidean zoning often discourages the development of walkable communities and increases reliance on automobiles.1