Government Rights in Land

The Four Government Powers (PETE)

Despite private ownership, the government retains four powers over real property, remembered as PETE: (P) Police Power - right to regulate use for public health, safety, and welfare. (E) Eminent Domain - right to take private property for public use with just compensation. (T) Taxation - right to levy property taxes. (E) Escheat - right to take property when owner dies without heirs.

U.S. Constitution, California Constitution