What type of control allows local governments to impose building codes and safety regulations?

Local governments exercise "police power" to impose building codes and safety regulations, which is foundational to maintaining public health, safety, and welfare within a community. This authority enables governments to establish and enforce standards that ensure buildings are safe and reliable, protecting occupants and the general public from hazards.

Police power is granted to local governments through the state, allowing them to regulate land use and implement measures like zoning ordinances and code enforcement. This is essential for controlling land development, ensuring that construction meets safety standards, and addressing concerns such as sanitation and fire hazards. This power directly supports the ability to enforce building codes, thereby underpinning local governance and community planning.

In contrast to initiative power, which pertains to the ability of citizens to propose legislation or amendments, and regulatory power, which can refer more broadly to rules and regulations set forth by various levels of government, police power specifically denotes the authority to regulate for the common good. Building restriction refers to limitations or prohibitions on land use but does not encompass the broader scope of safety and compliance standards enforced through building codes.