§ 25.1-100. Definitions
As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Body determining just compensation" means a jury selected pursuant to § 25.1-229, or the court if a jury is not empanelled.
"Court" means the court having jurisdiction as provided in § 25.1-201.
"Date of valuation" means the time of the lawful taking by the petitioner, or the date of the filing of the petition pursuant to § 25.1-205, whichever occurs first.
"Freeholder" means any person owning an interest in land in fee, including a person owning a condominium unit.
"Land" means real estate and all rights and appurtenances thereto, together with the structures and other improvements thereon, and any right, title, interest, estate or claim in or to real estate.
"Locality" or "local government" means a county, city, or town, as the context may require.
"Owner" means any person who owns property, provided that the person's ownership of the property is of record in the land records of the clerk's office of the circuit court of the county or city where the property is located. The term "owner" shall not include trustees or beneficiaries under a deed of trust, any person with a security interest in the property, or any person with a judgment or lien against the property. This definition of the term "owner" shall not affect in any way the valuation of property.
"Person" means any individual; firm; cooperative; association; corporation; limited liability company; trust; business trust; syndicate; partnership; limited liability partnership; joint venture; receiver; trustee in bankruptcy or any other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, whether appointed by a court or otherwise; club, society or other group or combination acting as a unit; the Commonwealth or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof; any city, county, town, or other political subdivision or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof; or any interstate body to which the Commonwealth is a party.
"Petitioner" or "condemnor" means any person who possesses the power to exercise the right of eminent domain and who seeks to exercise such power under this chapter. The term "petitioner" or "condemnor" includes any person required to make an effort to purchase property as provided in § 25.1-204.
"Property" means land and personal property, and any right, title, interest, estate or claim in or to such property.
"State institution" means any (i) educational institution enumerated in § 23-14 or (ii) state hospital, state training school or state training center for the mentally retarded operated by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.
(1962, c. 426, § 25-46.3; 1991, c. 520; 2000, c. 1029; 2002, c. 878; 2003, c. 940; 2006, c. 586.)
Sections: 25.1-100 25.1-101 25.1-102 25.1-103 25.1-104 25.1-105 25.1-106 25.1-107 25.1-108 25.1-109 NextLast modified: April 16, 2009