25.1-100 - Definitions.
§ 25.1-100. Definitions.
As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Body determining just compensation" means a panel of commissionersempanelled pursuant to § 25.1-227.2, jury selected pursuant to § 25.1-229, orthe court if neither a panel of commissioners nor a jury is appointed orempanelled.
"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, whicheveroccurs first.
"Freeholder" means any person owning an interest in land in fee, includinga person owning a condominium unit.
"Land" means real estate and all rights and appurtenances thereto, togetherwith 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 thecontext may require.
"Owner" means any person who owns property, provided that the person'sownership of the property is of record in the land records of the clerk'soffice of the circuit court of the county or city where the property islocated. The term "owner" shall not include trustees or beneficiaries undera deed of trust, any person with a security interest in the property, or anyperson with a judgment or lien against the property. This definition of theterm "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 bankruptcyor any other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, whetherappointed by a court or otherwise; club, society or other group orcombination acting as a unit; the Commonwealth or any department, agency orinstrumentality thereof; any city, county, town, or other politicalsubdivision or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof; or anyinterstate body to which the Commonwealth is a party.
"Petitioner" or "condemnor" means any person who possesses the power toexercise the right of eminent domain and who seeks to exercise such powerunder this chapter. The term "petitioner" or "condemnor" includes anyperson 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 or state training center for individuals withmental retardation operated by the Department of Behavioral Health andDevelopmental Services.
(1962, c. 426, § 25-46.3; 1991, c. 520; 2000, c. 1029; 2002, c. 878; 2003, c.940; 2006, c. 586; 2009, cc. 813, 840; 2010, c. 835.)