Question

cities and suburbs that apply zoning laws have less housing and higher house prices because the laws effectively impose a: price ceiling, limiting the maximum price that can be charged. mandate, limiting the number of housing units that can be built. price floor, limiting the minimum price that can be charged. quota, limiting the number of housing units that can be built.

Explanation:

• A price ceiling sets a maximum price, which would not directly limit the quantity of housing (so first option is wrong).
• A mandate is a command, but quota is a more specific term for limiting quantity in economic terms (so second option is wrong).
• A price floor sets a minimum price, which also doesn't directly limit housing quantity (so third option is wrong).
• A quota limits the quantity (number of housing units), which when imposed (due to zoning laws) reduces the supply of housing. With lower supply (assuming demand is relatively stable), the price of housing (house prices) increases.

Answer:

quota, limiting the number of housing units that can be built.