What is the concept that allows a city to ensure the public's health, safety, and welfare through zoning?

The concept that allows a city to ensure the public's health, safety, and welfare through zoning is rooted in police power. This principle grants local governments the authority to regulate land use and implement zoning laws that protect the community's interests. Through police power, cities can establish regulations that dictate how land can be developed, ensuring that residential, commercial, and industrial areas are appropriately separated and managed to mitigate potential hazards and conflicts.

Police power is integral to maintaining order and protecting the well-being of residents. For instance, zoning can prevent the establishment of hazardous industries near homes, promote consistent architectural styles to maintain neighborhood aesthetics, and ensure adequate access to essential services. This regulatory framework aligns land use with the overarching goals of public health and safety.

While the other choices represent related concepts—such as code of ordinances, which codifies local laws; urban planning, which involves strategic development and land use planning; and lis pendens, a legal notice regarding property ownership disputes—they do not specifically pertain to the foundational authority that enables zoning regulations. The key element here is that police power is the legal basis under which local governments derive the right to impose those restrictions and establish the zoning laws that aim to protect the public good.