The Takings Clause

The Takings Clause is part of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It states that the government cannot take private property for public use without providing fair compensation to the owner. This means if the government needs to use your land for a road, park, or other public project, they must pay you a price that reflects its fair market value. The clause is designed to protect property rights while allowing the government to carry out necessary public projects.