An economically beneficial utilization of land that generates value for the owner. A regulation eliminating all such uses constitutes a per se taking unless the prohibited activity was already barred by background principles of nuisance or property law at acquisition.
2
in prescription doctrine
Sense 1
1
in regulatory takings
An economically beneficial utilization of land that generates value for the owner. A regulation eliminating all such uses constitutes a per se taking unless the prohibited activity was already barred by background principles of nuisance or property law at acquisition.
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Cases
Examples
Sense 2
2
in prescription doctrine
Actual beneficial utilization of land over time that rewards the user and supports acquisition of servitudes by fulfilling expectations created through long use.
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Restatements
Examples
Put it into practice
Test Yourself
10
Practice Questions5
Actual beneficial utilization of land over time that rewards the user and supports acquisition of servitudes by fulfilling expectations created through long use.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
1
Wetland Development Ban
Pearl Porter purchased an inland parcel intending to construct a manufacturing facility after obtaining required permits. The state later enacted a habitat rule prohibiting all filling, grading, and building, leaving the land as untouched marsh. Because the rule eliminated every economically beneficial use that existed when Porter acquired the property, the restriction functions as a total deprivation requiring just compensation.
2 common questions
Students Frequently Ask...
When does loss of productive use trigger a per se taking?
A regulation that deprives an owner of all economically beneficial or productive use of land is treated as a per se taking requiring just compensation unless the prohibited use was already barred by background principles of nuisance or property law when the owner acquired the parcel.
Supporting sources
Does a regulation preserving some minimal activity avoid a total-wipeout claim?
Residual uses such as passive public access or conservation do not qualify as economically beneficial or productive uses when the owner purchased the land for development that the regulation now forbids.
Supporting sources
1
Longstanding Access Road
Pavel Petrov built and maintained a private road across an adjoining parcel for more than the prescriptive period, fencing it off and using it daily to reach his own land. The continuous productive utilization fulfilled expectations of access and conformed the record title to actual practice, allowing Petrov to acquire a prescriptive servitude.
1 common questions
Students Frequently Ask...
How does productive use support a prescriptive servitude claim?
Long-term productive utilization of land rewards the user, fulfills expectations created by that use, and conforms titles to actual practice, providing the positive rationale for acquiring servitudes by prescription.
Supporting sources
Constitutional LawIndividual rights · TakingsNEXTGENFoundational