Related to the functions of the central state and local state, a range of interventions in the urban land-development process may be pursued. Typically, policies and practices related to land are devised at different times for different purposes and are administered by different agencies. Rarely are the relationships between them, their implementation, and their overall impact considered systematically, especially for developing countries. In this paper I evaluate urban land policy in Zimbabwe. I consider tenure, land-use planning and development control, taxation, and direct public sector intervention in the land market. Particular attention is given to the local administrative context and to the relationship between central and local government as portrayed in the paths of land delivery for private developers, municipalities, and central government. The overall conclusion is that Zimbabwe's urban land administration system works effectively. However, it is formal and complex, which is restricting its ability to play an appropriate role in catering for rapid urban growth and the needs of low-income residents.