Land Use and Property Rights

Overview:
	Many of the economic policy issues related to land and property rights have to do with: a) how different uses of lands in close proximity may conflict or complement each other; b) the rights, and limitations on rights, of land ownership; and c) how land use policies and regulations encourage or discourage particular land uses in specific areas. Conflicts among land uses are inevitable (especially as population and economic activity grow), for example between commercial, residential and agricultural uses, as compared to open space, public access, and environmental purposes. Policies and regulations affecting land use and land use changes may try to address these conflicts (and the changing demands of the population). The criteria surrounding these decisions may include efficiency (weighing benefits against costs), rights and fairness. When government makes policy changes, invests in infrastructure, or changes land use regulations, land owners may be affected adversely or beneficially. In the case of adverse effects that lower the economic value of certain lands, the question of "takings" and compensation comes into play. Economic management tools related to land use policies include urban growth boundaries, conservation reserve programs in farm policies, and local property tax incentives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
	What is "fee simple" land ownership?
	What is a "taking"?
	What is "sprawl" and what is being done about it in Oregon?
	How do Oregon's land use regulations compare to other western states?
	How is the value of land determined, and how are these values affected by land-use policies?
Other Resources and Internet Links:
	Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (Cambridge, MA)
	Land Tenure Center (University of Wisconsin)
	1000 Friends of Oregon
	Smart Growth America
Publications, Presentations and Working Papers
	How Have Land-Use Regulations Affected Property Values in Oregon? (with Andrew Plantinga)
	Three Methods for Evaluating Measure 37 Claims
	The Economics Behind Measure 37 (with Andrew Plantinga)
	"Measuring Compensation under Measure 37: an economist's perspective" by Andrew Plantinga [PDF]
	"The Effects of Land Use Regulations on Land Prices" by William Jaeger [PDF]
	"Property Rights, Land Stewardship and the Takings Issue" OSU Extension Publication by James Pease.[PDF]
	Overview of Oregon's Land Use Planning Program
	"Regulatory Takings and Proposals for Change" (Congressional Budget Office)