All Comparison Tables
Squatter's Rights (Adverse Possession)
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
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| 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.