There is, first, a whole set of limitations to prevent nuisances.

An owner in many situations is not free to build a slaughter-house or to start a glue-factory on his land.

Property is governed by general public utility, and anything that threatens to become a nuisance or a danger may be excluded.

Under the right of "eminent domain," the state or the railroad takes the old homestead from the owner who would live and die there.
Altho pecuniary damages are paid to him, this is a limitation of his property rights.

Rights of way on property exist either by contract or by prescription permitting its public use.