The Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits, in peacetime, the government from lodging soldiers in private homes without the consent of the owner of the home. The Amendment states that "[n]o soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."
This was intended to protect U.S. citizens from government intrusion on their property.
Illustrative Case Law: Engblom v. Carey, 572 F. Supp. 44 (S.D.N.Y. 1983)
For more on the Third Amendment see:
- LII U.S. Constitution Annotated - Amendment III. Quartering Soldiers - Government Intrusion and Third Amendment
- Michael L. Smith, The Third Amendment in 2020, 52 Stetson L. Rev. 55 (2022)
- Chad Aronson, The Third Amendment Incorporated: “Soldiers” and Domestic Law Enforcement, 67 Case W. Rsrv. L. Rev. 537 (2016)
See: constitutional amendment, Bill of Rights
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]