All Comparison Tables
Squatter's Rights (Adverse Possession)
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026
Compare adverse possession requirements including years required, conditions for claiming, and color of title provisions across all 50 states.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: 2025-12-01
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Years Required | Conditions | Color of Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL - Alabama | 10 years (20 without color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 10 years |
| AK - Alaska | 10 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years |
| AZ - Arizona | 10 years (3 with color of title + taxes) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces to 3 years with taxes paid |
| AR - Arkansas | 7 years (with color of title + taxes) | Continuous, hostile, actual, open, notorious, exclusive | Required for 7-year period; 15 years without |
| CA - California | 5 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; must pay taxes | Claim of right or color of title required |
| CO - Colorado | 18 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years with taxes paid |
| CT - Connecticut | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required but may support claim |
| DE - Delaware | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| FL - Florida | 7 years (with color of title + taxes) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; must pay taxes with color of title | Required for 7-year claim; otherwise determined by common law |
| GA - Georgia | 20 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years |
| HI - Hawaii | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| ID - Idaho | 20 years (5 with taxes paid) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Can reduce to 5 years with taxes paid |
| IL - Illinois | 20 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years with taxes paid |
| IN - Indiana | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; must pay taxes | Not specifically required but helps |
| IA - Iowa | 10 years (5 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 5 years |
| KS - Kansas | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not specifically required |
| KY - Kentucky | 15 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years |
| LA - Louisiana | 30 years (10 with good faith + just title) | Continuous, uninterrupted possession as owner | Just title + good faith reduces to 10 years |
| ME - Maine | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MD - Maryland | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MA - Massachusetts | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MI - Michigan | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MN - Minnesota | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required but may assist |
| MS - Mississippi | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MO - Missouri | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| MT - Montana | 5 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; must pay taxes | Required for statutory claim |
| NE - Nebraska | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| NV - Nevada | 15 years (5 with color of title + taxes) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 5 years with taxes paid |
| NH - New Hampshire | 20 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| NJ - New Jersey | 30 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| NM - New Mexico | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not specifically required |
| NY - New York | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive under claim of right | Claim of right required |
| NC - North Carolina | 20 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years |
| ND - North Dakota | 20 years (10 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 10 years |
| OH - Ohio | 21 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| OK - Oklahoma | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not specifically required |
| OR - Oregon | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| PA - Pennsylvania | 21 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| RI - Rhode Island | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| SC - South Carolina | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| SD - South Dakota | 20 years (10 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 10 years with taxes paid |
| TN - Tennessee | 20 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years |
| TX - Texas | 10 years (3, 5, or 25 for specific claims) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; peaceable possession | 3-year with title, 5-year with taxes, 25-year without |
| UT - Utah | 7 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive; must pay taxes | Required for 7-year statutory period |
| VT - Vermont | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| VA - Virginia | 15 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| WA - Washington | 10 years (7 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 7 years with taxes paid |
| WV - West Virginia | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
| WI - Wisconsin | 20 years (10 with color of title) | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Reduces period to 10 years |
| WY - Wyoming | 10 years | Actual, open, notorious, hostile, continuous, exclusive | Not required |
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always verify current law with official state sources or consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.