# 32 CFR § 552.32: Authority to acquire real estate and interests therein

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.32

## Section

- **Citation:** 32 CFR § 552.32
- **Heading:** Authority to acquire real estate and interests therein
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 32—National Defense > Subtitle A—Department of Defense > CHAPTER V—DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY > SUBCHAPTER D—MILITARY RESERVATIONS AND NATIONAL CEMETERIES > PART 552—REGULATIONS AFFECTING MILITARY RESERVATIONS > Subpart D—Acquisition of Real Estate and Interest Therein

## Text

While the Federal Government has the inherent power to acquire land for its constitutional purposes, this power can be exercised only at the discretion of Congress (Van Brocklin v. Tennessee, 117 U.S. 151; 29 L. Ed. 845; 6 S. Ct. 670). No land shall be purchased on account of the United States, except under a law authorizing such purchase (R. S. 3736; 41 U.S.C. 14). No real estate not in Federal ownership shall be acquired by a military department, except as such acquisition is or shall be expressly authorized by law (section 501(b), Act July 27, 1954; Pub. L. 534, 83d Congress; 68 Stat. 560).

## Nearby sections

- [32 CFR § 552.18 § 552.18 Administration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.18.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.19 § 552.19 Hunting and fishing permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.19.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.25 § 552.25 Entry regulations for certain Army training areas in Hawaii.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.25.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.30 § 552.30 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.30.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.31 § 552.31 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.31.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.32 § 552.32 Authority to acquire real estate and interests therein.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.32.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.33 § 552.33 Estates and methods of acquisition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.33.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.34 § 552.34 Policies relative to new acquisition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.34.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.35 § 552.35 Rights-of-entry for survey and exploration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.35.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.36 § 552.36 Rights-of-entry for construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.36.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.37 § 552.37 Acquisition by Chief of Engineers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.37.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.38 § 552.38 Acquisition of maneuver agreements for Army commanders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.38.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.39 § 552.39 Acquisition of short-term leases by local commanding officers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.39.md)
- [32 CFR § 552.50 § 552.50 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.50.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-32-552.32. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.