Eminent Domain Definition Property Law
Eminent domain is the government s power to take private land for public use under certain circumstances.
Eminent domain definition property law. Eminent domain is the right of governments like the united states to usurp private property for public use following fair compensation. The right which people or government retain over the estates of individuals to resume the same for public use. Eminent domain land acquisition compulsory purchase resumption resumption compulsory acquisition or expropriation is the power of a state provincial or national government to take private property for public use. For example the government may sometimes take someone s house to make room for a new highway or a bridge.
The fifth amendment provides that the government may only exercise this power if they provide just compensation to the property owners. Eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private land for public use under certain circumstances. Constitution which prohibits the federal government from taking private property for public use without just compensation. The power of eminent domain is defined by the takings clause of the fifth amendment to the u s.
This power is limited by the federal constitution and state constitutions the government must fairly compensate the owner when it takes private property. Additionally eminent domain may be used for urban renewal replacement of deteriorated housing with new low cost housing and beautification of public use areas. It belongs to the legislature to decide what improvements are of sufficient importance to justify the exercise of the right of eminent domain. However this power can be legislatively delegated by the state to municipalities government subdivisions o.
Read on to learn more about the government process of taking private property known as eminent domain. Eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use. The term eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private land for public use. Eminent domain law facilitates the creation and upkeep of such necessary infrastructure as roads and highways parks and public buildings as well as water power and gas lines.
Sometimes the government s use of eminent domain is a straightforward matter. It does not include the power to take and transfer ownership of private property from one property owner to another private property owner without a valid public purpose. Eminent domain refers to the power possessed by the state over all property within the state specifically its power to appropriate property for a public use.