What clause requires the U.S. government to compensate property owners when private property is taken for public use?

The Takings Clause, found in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, mandates that when the government takes private property for public use, it must provide just compensation to the property owners. This clause is a crucial element of property law and serves to protect citizens' rights by ensuring that they are fairly compensated when their property is taken for purposes such as constructing roads, schools, or other public infrastructure.

The concept embedded in the Takings Clause reflects the balance between the needs of society and the rights of the individual, emphasizing that while the government has the authority to take property for the common good, it must also respect the property rights of individuals by providing compensation. This principle is foundational to the concept of eminent domain in law.

Other options, while relevant to different legal contexts, do not pertain to the requirement of compensating property owners for property taken for public use. Sovereign Immunity relates to the legal doctrine that prevents the government from being sued without its consent. Appropriation generally refers to the act of taking something for one's own use, often without permission, but does not specifically address the requirement of compensation. Limited Liability relates to the protection of business owners from being personally liable for the debts of their companies, which is unrelated to