As a rule, local governments are responsible for the development of communities and for protecting them from threats to the local biosphere and quality of life from further development of the built environment – buildings and infrastructure.  For sustainable land use and development of the built environment, cities integrate sustainability into their plans and implement it through land use plans, local building codes, and permits.

Incorporating sustainability into planning regulations provides numerous interrelated climate, social, health, wildlife habitat, and economic benefits.  Permits are an important part of environmental regulations, especially as environmental goals have been raised and the need for environmental action has become more urgent.