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52 articles
Alabama requires 10 years of adverse possession under Ala. Code § 6-5-200. HB 182 (2024) lets law enforcement remove squatters without a court eviction. Learn your rights.
Alaska gives squatters 10 years to claim land via adverse possession under AS 09.10.030 and AS 09.45.052. Learn the five elements, the removal process, and what property owners must do.
Arizona adverse possession requires 10 years under A.R.S. § 12-526, or 3 years with color of title (§ 12-523), or 5 years with a recorded deed and tax payments. Removal is by court eviction only.
Arkansas requires 7 years of adverse possession under Ark. Code Ann. § 18-61-101. A 2003 statutory overlay adds color of title and tax payment requirements. Learn how to remove a squatter in Arkansas.
California requires 5 years of continuous occupation plus full property tax payment to claim adverse possession. Learn how to remove squatters using unlawful detainer.
Colorado adverse possession requires 18 years of open, continuous possession, or 7 years with color of title and paid taxes. Learn how to remove squatters via the FED process under C.R.S. § 13-40-101.
Connecticut requires 15 years of adverse possession under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-575. Learn the five elements, how to remove a squatter through summary process, and what the law says in 2026.
Washington D.C. squatters rights require 15 years of continuous adverse possession under D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(1). Learn how to remove a squatter and quiet title in the District of Columbia.
Delaware requires 20 years of continuous adverse possession under Del. Code tit. 10 § 7901. Learn the five elements, how to remove a squatter via JP Court summary possession, and what property owners must know.
Florida requires 7 years of adverse possession plus annual tax payments under Fla. Stat. § 95.18. Learn the 2024 § 82.036 sheriff-removal process and standard eviction route.
Georgia requires 20 years of adverse possession without color of title and 7 years with it. The 2024 Squatter Reform Act (HB 1017) lets property owners remove squatters within 3 days via a magistrate-court affidavit.
Hawaii requires 20 years of continuous adverse possession under HRS § 657-31. Learn the strict AP limits, the quiet title process under § 669-1, and how to remove squatters via summary possession.
Idaho requires 20 years of continuous possession plus payment of all property taxes to claim adverse possession under Idaho Code § 5-210. Learn how to remove squatters under Idaho law.
Illinois adverse possession requires 20 years of open, hostile, continuous possession under 735 ILCS 5/13-101. A 7-year track applies with color of title and tax payment. Removal requires a court eviction under 735 ILCS 5/9.
Indiana requires 10 years of adverse possession plus payment of all property taxes. Learn the elements, the removal process, and how Indiana courts handle squatter disputes.
Iowa requires 10 years of adverse possession to claim property. Learn the elements, how to remove a squatter via forcible entry and detainer, and Iowa law.
Kansas requires 15 years of open, exclusive, and continuous possession to claim adverse possession under K.S.A. 60-503. Learn how to remove a squatter in Kansas legally.
Kentucky's adverse possession law gives squatters two tracks to ownership: 15 years of open, hostile possession under KRS 413.010, or 7 years with connected record title under KRS 413.060.
Louisiana uses acquisitive prescription instead of adverse possession. Learn the 30-year and 10-year rules, civil-law elements, and how to remove a squatter under SB 466 (2024).
Maine requires 20 years of continuous adverse possession to claim land under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 801. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2026 updates.
Maryland requires 20 years of adverse possession under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-103. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2025 law changes for squatters in Maryland.
Massachusetts requires 20 years of adverse possession under ch. 260 § 21. Learn the elements, the registered-land exception, and how to remove a squatter via summary process.
Michigan requires 15 years of continuous adverse possession under MCL 600.5801 to claim squatters rights. Learn the elements, removal steps, and district court process.
Minnesota requires 15 years of adverse possession plus 5 consecutive years of property tax payments on assessed parcels under Minn. Stat. § 541.02. Learn how to remove a squatter legally.
Mississippi requires 10 years of adverse possession under Miss. Code § 15-1-13 to claim land. Learn the elements, how to remove a squatter, and what property owners must do.
Missouri requires 10 years of continuous, hostile, open, exclusive, and actual possession to claim adverse possession under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.010. Learn the elements, removal process, and FAQ.
Montana requires 5 years of continuous possession plus payment of all property taxes to claim adverse possession under Mont. Code Ann. § 70-19-411. Learn how the law works and how owners can remove squatters.
Nebraska requires 10 years of adverse possession to claim property rights. Learn the legal elements, how to remove a squatter under Nebraska law, and your rights as a property owner.
Nevada requires 5 years of continuous possession plus payment of all property taxes under NRS 11.150. Learn the elements, removal process, and criminal squatting statutes.
New Hampshire requires 20 years of adverse possession to claim property (RSA 508:2). Learn the elements, how to remove a squatter, and the NH circuit court eviction process.
New Jersey requires 30 years of adverse possession for most land and 60 years for woodlands under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-30. Learn the rules, removal process, and FAQ.
New Mexico requires 10 years of possession, color of title, AND property tax payment to claim adverse possession under NMSA § 37-1-22. Learn the removal process and your rights as a property owner.
New York requires 10 years of continuous, open, and exclusive possession to claim adverse possession under RPAPL § 501. Learn how to remove a squatter in New York and the squatter vs. tenant distinction.
North Carolina requires 20 years of adverse possession without color of title (§ 1-40) or 7 years with color of title (§ 1-38). Learn how to remove a squatter using NC's expedited removal law or summary ejectment.
North Dakota requires 20 years for adverse possession, or 10 years with color of title and tax payments. Learn how squatter removal works under N.D. Cent. Code ch. 47-32.
Ohio requires 21 years of continuous adverse possession under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.04. Learn how to remove a squatter in Ohio through forcible entry and detainer under Chapter 1923.
Oklahoma adverse possession: 15-year base period reduced to 5 years for claims arising on or after Nov. 1, 2023 (HB 1588). A 7-year color-of-title plus tax track also applies.
Oregon requires 10 years of adverse possession plus an honest belief of ownership under ORS 105.620. Learn the elements, removal steps, and FAQ for 2026.
Pennsylvania adverse possession requires 21 years under § 5530, or 10 years for residential parcels of 0.5 acres or less under § 5527.1. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2026 rules.
Rhode Island requires 10 years of continuous possession to claim adverse possession under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-7-1. Learn the elements, removal process, and owner protections.
South Carolina requires 10 years of adverse possession to claim property under S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-67-210 to 15-67-260. Learn the elements, removal process, and 2026 updates.
South Dakota requires 20 years for adverse possession under SDCL § 15-3-1, or 10 years with color of title and payment of property taxes. Learn the FED process to remove a squatter.
Squatters rights and adverse possession: the five legal elements, statutory periods for all 50 states, 2024 anti-squatting laws, and how to remove a squatter.
Tennessee requires 7 years of adverse possession with color of title or 20 years without. Learn how Public Chapter 1009 (2024) lets property owners use a sheriff process to remove squatters quickly.
Texas adverse possession requires 10 years under § 16.026, or 5 years with a deed and taxes paid, or 3 years with color of title. Learn how to remove squatters via Justice Court.
Utah requires 7 years of continuous possession plus payment of all property taxes to claim adverse possession. Learn how Utah property owners can remove squatters using unlawful detainer and the wrongful-occupant process.
Vermont requires 15 years of open, continuous, hostile possession to claim adverse possession under 12 V.S.A. § 501. Learn how to remove a squatter in Vermont and what property owners must do.
Virginia requires 15 years of adverse possession under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-236. Learn how to remove squatters using unlawful detainer in Virginia General District Court.
Washington adverse possession requires 10 years under RCW 4.16.020, or 7 years with color of title. Learn how to remove squatters legally using unlawful detainer under RCW 59.12.
West Virginia requires 10 years of adverse possession under W. Va. Code § 55-2-1. The 2024 Stop Squatters Act (HB 4940) makes squatting criminal trespass removable by arrest, not eviction.
Wisconsin adverse possession requires 20 years without a deed, 10 years with a recorded instrument, or 7 years with recorded title plus tax payments. Learn how Wisconsin property owners can remove squatters.
Wyoming requires 10 years of adverse possession under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-103. Learn the elements, the FED removal process, and what property owners can do.