---
title: "Rational Basis Review"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/rational-basis-review
---

# Rational Basis Review

Rational basis review is the most deferential standard of judicial scrutiny, applied to economic and social legislation that does not involve a suspect classification or fundamental right. The law will be upheld if it is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest. The challenger bears the burden of proof, and any conceivable rational basis — even one not articulated by the legislature — suffices. Laws subject to rational basis review are almost always upheld.

## Related Terms

- strict-scrutiny
- intermediate-scrutiny
- equal-protection

## Related Cases

- village-of-euclid-v-ambler

## Example

A city zoning ordinance separates residential and industrial areas. This economic regulation receives rational basis review and is upheld if it has any rational connection to a legitimate public purpose.

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Source: [Rational Basis Review — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/rational-basis-review)