Allodial land is that possessed by a man in his own right, free and absolute, owing no rent or service to any superior.

Explanation

In America, all land is held in allodium — the citizen owns in his own right, free of feudal obligation, and no government officer is his landlord.

Where this applies

• A county demands annual 'land-use fees' from a homeowner as a condition of keeping his property — the homeowner objects that in America, land is held in allodium, free and absolute, and no government is his feudal landlord collecting rent.
• A state attempts to impose a recurring 'ground lease' payment on rural landowners, treating them as tenants on their own soil — the owners cite the allodial nature of American land ownership, which means they hold their property free of any service to a superior.
• A municipality conditions a building permit on the owner's agreement to grant the city a perpetual easement — the owner argues this is a feudal-style exaction incompatible with allodial ownership, where the citizen holds his land in his own right, owing no tribute.

See also

• 2.4.1 The laws of nature are immutable.
• 5.2.2 Whose is the soil, his it is even to the sky above and to the depths below.