"Public entity" includes the state, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision in the state.
§ 1235.190.Public Entity
Title 7. Eminent Domain Law · Chapter 2. Principles of Construction; Definitions · Article 2. Words and Phrases Defined · Enacted 1975 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1235.190 defines "public entity" broadly to include the state, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision within the state, setting the outer boundary of who can hold or exercise powers this title assigns to public entities.
Full Text of § 1235.190
Plain-English Summary
This term identifies the governmental side of an eminent domain proceeding, and the definition is written to be comprehensive rather than exhaustive of specific examples. "Public entity" includes the state, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision in the state -- language broad enough to sweep in governmental bodies not individually named.
Two more specific definitions build directly on this one: § 1235.150 defines "local public entity" as any public entity other than the state, and § 1235.200 defines "state" itself to include the Regents of the University of California. Between the three definitions, nearly every level and kind of California government body has a defined place in this title's vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of governmental bodies count as a "public entity" under this title?
The state, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision in the state.
Is this list of examples exhaustive?
No. The phrase "any other political subdivision in the state" makes clear the definition reaches governmental bodies beyond the specific examples named.
How does "public entity" relate to "local public entity"?
Section 1235.150 defines "local public entity" as any public entity other than the state, making it a subset of this broader term.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 1275.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: definition of public entity eminent domain californiawho can exercise eminent domain in california