Is Eminent Domain Reserved Only for the Federal Government?

The power of eminent domain is neither reserved nor limited to the Federal government. The power of eminent domain was not reserved by any document, statute, or constitution. Instead, the power of eminent domain is inherent. In other words, it is deemed to be necessary to the government’s existence and therefore the government has the right of eminent domain regardless. However, the United States Constitution does speak on the government’s right of eminent domain in the “Takings Clause.” The Takings Clause is the part of the Constitution that limits the Federal government’s right to exercise eminent domain. It requires a public use and just compensation. The Takings Clause is found in the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

            The states are still considered to be sovereign much like the Federal government. Although the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution states that federal law is supreme over state laws, the courts have treated the states as sovereign for the purpose of eminent domain. Therefore, the general theories that support the Federal government’s use of eminent domain will also support the state’s use of eminent domain.

            Furthermore, local county governments and municipalities may also exercise eminent domain. However, this is based on the inherent right of the state to exercise eminent domain. In North Carolina, the General Assembly has conferred on local government entities and certain private condemnors the ability to exercise eminent domain through statute. However, all takings by both the Federal government and North Carolina must be within the bounds of the law. First, the taking must be for a public use. Second, the government must provide just compensation for the taking.             In North Carolina, what constitutes “just compensation” might be contingent on who is exercising the right of eminent domain. If your property is being taken, you should contact an eminent domain attorney to help you determine what just compensation looks like for you

Our firm focuses on three practice areas: Disability, Personal Injury, and Eminent Domain. Every practice area has attorneys who have expertise in their respective area of practice. 

Chad Brown is a North Carolina Board Certified Social Security disability law specialist. Mr. Brown helps Social Security disability claimants at all stages of the disability process. He also works with people that have Long Term Disability denials and with people that are injured by drugs and defective medical products.

Your Questions Answered

What Is the Public Good for Purposes of Eminent Domain?

The question above asks a question that seems to coincide with one of the two main restrictions that the constitution places on the government before it can take private property. However, what is being referred to here as “public good” is actually referred to as...

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Can Eminent Domain Be Used for Economic Development?

This question was brought to many Americans’ attention in 2005 after the decision for Kelo v. New London was handed down by the United States Supreme Court. In that case, the Court stated that government could condemn property and convey it to private entities for...

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Can Eminent Domain Be Challenged?

The state and federal government do have the inherent right to exercise eminent domain. This inherent right is not expressly given in either the United States Constitution or the North Carolina Constitution. However, those documents do act to restrict the government’s...

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