The growing expansion of socioeconomic activities without considering the potentialities and limitations regarding the land use constitutes a potential source of deterioration of the environment. The present work aimed to diagnose the areas of land use conflict in the municipality of Batatais-SP. The methodological procedure consisted of geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques. The municipal area was regionalized into hydrological response units (HRU). The quantitative data of area, length of the drainage network and roughness number were determined, and the processes and their interrelationships were analyzed. The distribution of aptitude classes for land use was confronted with the current land use and allowed the identification and quantification of the land use conflict. Zoning indicated that, from 452.46 km2 of the municipality's area, 28.67% are assigned to conflict class 1 and present risks or severe permanent limitations when used for annual crops and pastures. At higher spatial levels, land use conflict influences sustainable development. States grant authority to pass ordinances and regulations, and municipal governments have autonomy to control land use within their jurisdictions, if it do not conflict with other laws. The land use conflict technique establishes an orderly pattern and can serve as a tool for municipal zoning in regulating land use.