<p>With rapid urbanization and continuing rural disparities, sustainable development has become a priority for China. As China moves towards sustainable development, the use of laws and regulations will be vital to balance and integrate environmental, social, and economic objectives at different scales across a range of sectors and regions. The focus of this study is to evaluate the understanding, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of sustainability-related laws by the main players in urban and rural China and to highlight legal governance gaps and how to amend these to make the law more effective and enhance equity in development. The study used a largely quantitative approach using stratified random sampling from urban and rural regions in China, as well as governance diversity across the regions and stakeholders involved in community, business, and government organizations. Data collection occurred from structured questionnaires, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression, ANOVA, and factor analysis to explore patterns, relationships, and differences between groups, and ethical standards were upheld through the research process. The results of the studies show a great public awareness of legislation connected to development, but they also emphasize ongoing worries about disparity between urban and rural areas. Perceived legal effectiveness depended mostly on legal awareness, while regulatory enforcement was discovered to be essential in producing favorable environmental results. Discrepancies in local enforcement, especially in rural areas, nevertheless reduced the possible effect of laws. These results highlight the urgency for policies that reinforce legal education and develop enforcement capability in underprivileged areas. To guarantee fair execution and increase the general efficacy of sustainability-related legal systems, personalized, context-sensitive governance approaches are vital.</p>