Legal Definitions - temporary taking

Temporary taking is when the government takes someone's property for a limited time. The property owner may be entitled to compensation and damages for any harm done to the property.

• During a road construction project, the government temporarily takes a portion of a homeowner's front yard to widen the road. Once the project is complete, the property is returned to the owner. The homeowner may be entitled to compensation for any damage done to the yard during the construction.
• A city temporarily takes a parking lot to use as a staging area for a festival. The property is returned to the owner after the festival is over. The owner may be entitled to compensation for any lost revenue during the time the lot was unavailable for use.

These examples illustrate how the government can take someone's property for a limited time and how the property owner may be entitled to compensation for any harm done to the property during the taking.