====== Government Rights in Land ======

Government has inherent powers that affect private property ownership.

===== 1. Police Power =====
Right of the government to regulate land use to protect public health, safety, morals, and welfare.

  * Zoning ordinances
  * Building codes
  * Environmental regulations
  * Land-use restrictions

No compensation is required unless regulation becomes a taking.

===== 2. Eminent Domain =====
Right of the government to take private property for public use.

  * Requires just compensation
  * Includes partial takings
  * Public use includes roads, schools, utilities, and redevelopment

The process of taking is called condemnation.

===== 3. Taxation =====
Right of the government to tax real property.

  * Property taxes are a lien against the property
  * Failure to pay may result in tax sale or foreclosure
  * Property tax liens take priority over most other liens

===== 4. Escheat =====
Right of the government to take property when an owner dies without heirs and without a will.

  * Title transfers to the state
  * Applies to both real and personal property