Nevada § 37.010 - Public uses for which eminent domain may be exercised

Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 37.010 — Public uses for which eminent domain may be exercised, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 37.010. Public uses for which eminent domain may be exercised

1. Subject to the provisions of this chapter and the limitations in subsections 2

and 3, the right of eminent domain may be exercised in behalf of the following public

uses: (a) Federal activities. All public purposes authorized by the Government of the United States. (b) State activities. Public buildings and grounds for the use of the State, the Nevada System of Higher

Education and all other public purposes authorized by the Legislature. (c) County, city, town and school district activities. Public buildings and grounds for the use of any county, incorporated city or town,

or school district, reservoirs, water rights, canals, aqueducts, flumes, ditches or

pipes for conducting water for the use of the inhabitants of any county, incorporated

city or town, for draining any county, incorporated city or town, for raising the

banks of streams, removing obstructions therefrom, and widening, deepening or straightening

their channels, for roads, streets and alleys, and all other public purposes for the

benefit of any county, incorporated city or town, or the inhabitants thereof. (d) Bridges, toll roads, railroads, street railways and similar uses. Wharves, docks, piers, chutes, booms, ferries, bridges, toll roads, byroads, plank

and turnpike roads, roads for transportation by traction engines or locomotives, roads

for logging or lumbering purposes, and railroads and street railways for public transportation. (e) Ditches, canals, aqueducts for smelting, domestic uses, irrigation and reclamation. Reservoirs, dams, water gates, canals, ditches, flumes, tunnels, aqueducts and pipes

for supplying persons, mines, mills, smelters or other works for the reduction of

ores, with water for domestic and other uses, for irrigating purposes, for draining

and reclaiming lands, or for floating logs and lumber on streams not navigable. (f) Byroads. Byroads leading from highways to residences and farms. (g) Public utilities. Lines for telephone, electric light and electric power and sites for plants for

electric light and power. (h) Sewerage. Sewerage of any city, town, settlement of not less than 10 families or any public

building belonging to the State or college or university. (i) Water for generation and transmission of electricity. Canals, reservoirs, dams, ditches, flumes, aqueducts and pipes for supplying and

storing water for the operation of machinery to generate and transmit electricity

for power, light or heat. (j) Cemeteries, public parks. Cemeteries or public parks. (k) Pipelines for petroleum products, natural gas. Pipelines for the transportation of crude petroleum, petroleum products or natural

gas, whether interstate or intrastate. (l) Aviation. Airports, facilities for air navigation and aerial rights-of-way. (m) Monorails. Monorails and any other overhead or underground system used for public transportation. (n) Video service providers. Video service providers that are authorized pursuant to chapter 711 of NRS to operate a video service network. The exercise of the power of eminent domain may include the right to use the wires,

conduits, cables or poles of any public utility if: (1) It creates no substantial detriment to the service provided by the utility; (2) It causes no irreparable injury to the utility; and (3) The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, after giving notice and affording a

hearing to all persons affected by the proposed use of the wires, conduits, cables

or poles, has found that it is in the public interest. (o) Redevelopment. The acquisition of property pursuant to chapter 279 of NRS . 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as otherwise provided in

this subsection, the public uses for which private property may be taken by the exercise

of eminent domain do not include the direct or indirect transfer of any interest in

the property to another private person or entity. Property taken by the exercise of eminent domain may be transferred to another private

person or entity in the following circumstances: (a) The entity that took the property transfers the property to a private person or

entity and the private person or entity uses the property primarily to benefit a public

service, including, without limitation, a utility, railroad, public transportation

project, pipeline, road, bridge, airport or facility that is owned by a governmental

entity. (b) The entity that took the property leases the property to a private person or entity

that occupies an incidental part of an airport or a facility that is owned by a governmental

entity and, before leasing the property: (1) Uses its best efforts to notify the person from whom the property was taken that

the property will be leased to a private person or entity that will occupy an incidental

part of an airport or facility that is owned by a governmental entity; and (2) Provides the person from whom the property was taken with an opportunity to bid

or propose on any such lease. (c) The entity that took the property: (1) Took the property in order to acquire property that was abandoned by the owner,

abate an immediate threat to the safety of the public or remediate hazardous waste;

and (2) Grants a right of first refusal to the person from whom the property was taken

that allows that person to reacquire the property on the same terms and conditions

that are offered to the other private person or entity. (d) The entity that took the property exchanges it for other property acquired or

being acquired by eminent domain or under the threat of eminent domain for roadway

or highway purposes, to relocate public or private structures or to avoid payment

of excessive compensation or damages. (e) The person from whom the property is taken consents to the taking. 3. The entity that is taking property by the exercise of eminent domain has the burden

of proving that the taking is for a public use. 4. For the purposes of this section, an airport authority or any public airport is

not a private person or entity.

Source: official Nevada text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 37.010

What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 37.010 cover?

Section 37.010 ("Public uses for which eminent domain may be exercised") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Nevada § 37.010?

A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 37.010" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Nevada law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.

How does Nevada § 37.010 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.