public use
Open to all
Public use refers to purposes that serve or benefit the general community rather than private individuals.
In legal contexts, particularly U.S. constitutional law, it justifies government taking of private property through eminent domain—the property must be put to public use, such as roads, schools, or utilities.
The concept has expanded over time to include economic development projects that arguably benefit the public, though this broader interpretation remains controversial.
The city claimed public use to acquire the land for a new highway.
- eminent domainForced government land acquisition
- fair market valueObjective exchange price
- government seizureState forcibly taking property
- bridgesStructures spanning obstacles
- community centersPublic gathering facilities
green spaces · open space · libraries · condemnation · parks · landowner rights · Fifth Amendment · zoning laws · conservation areas · property law · common good · cultural heritage sites · wildlife reserves · municipal codes · museums · property rights · roads · easements
- Cannabis Policylegalization, decriminalization, medical marijuana, dispensary, federal law
- public propertystate property, federal land, federal lands, state land, federal property
- land lawleasehold, freehold, easement, easements, land title
- property rightsownership, property rights, private property, real property, title
- zoningzoning codes, zoning ordinance, zoning code, zoning ordinances, zoning restrictions
public userestricted use
Permitted under conditions
exclusive use · limited access · private access · off-limits · gated
public useprivate ownership
Individual control of assets
private property · personal use · private enterprise · individual ownership · privately held