A home rule state allows local governments to exercise all planning and zoning authority that...

In a home rule state, local governments have the authority to govern themselves, including in matters of planning and zoning, as long as the state has not explicitly reserved those powers. According to the APA’sAICP Certification Exam Content Outline(2022), under “Plan and Policy Development,” home rule is defined as “the authority of local governments to enact laws and regulations not specifically prohibited or reserved by the state.” This aligns with option D, “not reserved to the state,” meaning local governments can act on planning and zoning unless the state constitution or legislation explicitly retains that authority. Option A (approved by a local initiative) and option C (not restricted by local referendum) are incorrect because home rule authority stems from state delegation, not local voter actions. Option B (enabled by state legislation) is partially correct but less precise, as home rule often exists without specific enabling legislation, depending on the state’s constitution. TheCPC Study Manual(2024) confirms that in home rule states, “local governments have broad powers except where the state has reserved authority,” supporting option D.