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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 1Pt. 1Ch. 6§ 1208 Condemnation Order To Show Cause

§ 1208 Condemnation Order To Show Cause

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1208 Condemnation Order To Show Cause

Key Takeaways

  • •The government can take private property for public use, but they must pay the owner fairly.
  • •If the government wants to take your property, they have to tell you in writing and give you a chance to explain why they shouldn’t.
  • •The notice must say what property they want and when/where you can go to talk about it.
  • •The government must officially serve this notice to everyone involved, including owners and companies.

Example

The government wants to build a new road and needs to use part of your backyard.

They must send you an official letter explaining what they want, why, and when you can go to a meeting to say if you think it’s unfair. They also have to pay you a fair price for the land they take.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1208 Condemnation Order To Show Cause

Upon the filing of the petition or the making of the order on the commission’s own motion, the commission shall make its order to show cause. The order shall (a) specify the nature of the proceeding, (b) contain a general description of the property and interest to be condemned, and (c) direct the owners and claimants and the railroad corporations, street railroad corporations, and governmental authorities in interest named in the petition or order on the commission’s own motion, who shall also be named in the order to show cause, to appear before the commission at a time and place specified in the order, to show cause, if any they have, why the commission should not proceed after hearing to fix the just compensation to be paid for the acquisition of or damages to the specified property and interest, to designate the party or parties to the proceeding who shall pay such compensation and the owners and claimants to whom such compensation shall be paid, and to make its final order of condemnation. The order to show cause shall direct the secretary of the commission to serve or cause to be served upon each owner and claimant, railroad corporation, street railroad corporation, and governmental authority in interest a copy of the order certified under the seal of the commission to which shall be attached a copy of the petition or order on the commission’s own motion. When the proceeding is commenced by order on the commission’s own motion the order to show cause may be incorporated in the order on the commission’s own motion. (Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

corporationacquisitionpetitioncompensationcommissiondamagespropertymotion

Related Statutes

  • § 1210 Out-Of-State Owner Service
  • § 40162 Eminent Domain For Utilities
  • § 90402 Eminent Domain Utility Relocation
  • § 96002 Eminent Domain For Utilities
  • § 98214 Railroad Property Acquisition Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 1208.
View Official Source