Which of the following is an example of police power?

Police power refers to the capacity of the state to regulate behavior and enforce order within its territory for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its inhabitants. Zoning ordinances are a direct application of police power as they regulate land use and control the development of properties within a jurisdiction.

By establishing zoning laws, municipalities can designate certain areas for residential, commercial, or industrial use, thereby managing population density and ensuring a compatible mix of land uses. This regulatory control helps maintain the character of neighborhoods, protect property values, and promote public safety by preventing incompatible developments from occurring near one another.

In contrast, property ownership pertains to private rights over an individual's real estate and not a regulatory power of the state. Trade regulations might relate to commerce and economic activities rather than the direct governance of land use. Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, but it is more specifically a method of property acquisition rather than a broad regulatory framework established to promote the public good. Therefore, zoning ordinances exemplify the exercise of police power effectively, making this choice the correct answer.