Here’s a quick civics lesson. Under the United States Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states (or people). What does that mean? Broadly interpreted, states have inherent police powers to pass laws to promote health, safety, welfare, and morals—which includes land use regulation.
But what happens when those laws go too far? Specifically, what if a regulation adversely affects property values? The Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment restricts the government’s potent power of eminent domain: “private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Until 1922, the Takings Clause applied only when the government physically seized or occupied land—merely regulating land was not considered a taking, but rather, the exercise of local police powers. But a 1922 U.S. Supreme Court case, Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon, opened the door for the doctrine of “regulatory takings”—where government regulation significantly reduces property values without compensating the owners.
Eminent domain is the government power to take private property for public use.
“Condemnation” is the formal process by which eminent domain is exercised. The process usually looks like this:
Inverse condemnation is sort of backwards. Here, the landowner must file suit (because the government did not use its eminent domain power, nor pay just compensation). The process is reversed (inverted), in that the property owner bears the burden to prove that the governmental regulation went too far and the reduction (diminution) of value.
A few examples of government regulations that diminish property values, and which courts might consider regulatory takings:
If you have an inverse condemnation case, you need an experienced eminent domain lawyer to help you. Otherwise, you may not receive the fair compensation to which the law entitles you.
If your state, county, or local government passes a law, ordinance, or regulation, will your property value plummet? If so, how can you receive fair compensation? If you’re a landowner facing condemnation, or a government restriction reduces your land’s value, you need to hire the right attorney. You should receive fair compensation for your property’s reduction in value.
Talk with us. Trust the experienced landowner professionals at Sever Storey. Call us right away at (888) 318-3761, or contact us confidentially. We can put a nationwide team of experienced eminent domain professionals on your side.
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