Reference 09 / 12·Reviewed Aug 2026

Squatter & Adverse Possession Laws by State

Worried about squatters or a vacant property? The U.S. Census Housing Vacancy Survey reports that millions of homes sit vacant nationwide, increasing the risk of squatters and property damage. “Adverse possession” laws can let someone claim ownership after living openly on a property for a number of years—sometimes less if they’ve paid taxes or hold a deed. This guide summarizes timelines and tax requirements in the states we serve. It’s reference only—not legal advice; confirm with a local attorney or your state statutes.

31States covered 31Linked sources CSVFree download Aug 2026Last reviewed
Test

Five elements, held for the statutory term

A claim needs hostile, actual, open & notorious, exclusive and continuous possession for the required number of years.

Accelerator

Taxes or colour of title can shorten it

Many states reduce the required years where the possessor holds a deed, sometimes combined with paying the property taxes.

Defence

Acting early is what stops a claim

Posting notice, documenting, filing for eviction or ejectment where required, and keeping taxes current.

The data
Download the full datasetsquatter-laws.csv31 rows31 source links Download Now
Squatter & Adverse Possession Laws by State
State ▾AdversePossessionPeriod ▾PropertyTaxesRequired ▾ShorterWithDeedOrColorOfTitle ▾Notes ▾SourceURL ▾
Alabama10 years with deed or taxes; 20 by prescriptionSometimesYes10 yrs if deed or taxes; otherwise 20 yrs.View source
Arizona10 years standard; 5 or 3 with deed + taxesSometimesYesCity-lot rules can require taxes; deed can shorten.View source
Arkansas7 years with deed/color + taxes; 15 on wild landYesYesTaxes generally required; special rule for wild/unimproved land.View source
Colorado18 years standard; 7 with deed + taxesYesYesDeed + taxes can cut to 7 yrs.View source
Connecticut15 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Delaware20 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Florida7 years with deed or taxesSometimesYesOften requires deed or tax payment to qualify in 7 yrs.View source
Georgia20 years standard; 7 with deedNoYesTaxes may be relevant in practice; statute lists deed path.View source
Idaho20 yearsYesNoStatute requires tax payment during occupancy.View source
Illinois20 years standard; 7 with deed/taxes; 2 in foreclosure contextSometimesYesSpecial 2-year path after foreclosure possession; see statute details.View source
Indiana10 yearsYesNoTax payment required during possession.View source
Iowa10 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Kansas15 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted in base rule.View source
Kentucky15 years standard; 7 with deedNoYesDeed option shortens the period to 7 yrs.View source
Louisiana30 years; 10 with deedNoYesCivil law ‘acquisitive prescription’ 30 yrs, or 10 with deed.View source
Massachusetts20 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Michigan15 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Minnesota15 yearsYesNoTax payment required; some color-of-title nuances exist.View source
Mississippi10 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Missouri10 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement in main rule.View source
New Jersey30 years; 60 for woodlands/uncultivated tractsNoNoVery long period; special 60-yr category for certain tracts.View source
North Carolina20 years; 7 with deedNoYesUpshot: deed path shortens to 7 yrs.View source
Ohio21 yearsNoNoOne of the longest standard periods.View source
Pennsylvania21 years; 10 for small single-family parcels (<0.5 acres)NoYes (special parcel rule)Special 10-yr rule for small SFR parcels.View source
South Carolina10 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
Tennessee20 years standard; 7 with deedNoYesDeed path shortens to 7 yrs; otherwise ~20 yrs.View source
Texas10 years standard; 5 with deed/taxes; 3 with color of titleSometimesYesMultiple shortened paths with deed/taxes or color of title.View source
Utah20 years with enclosure/improvements; 7 with decree + taxesSometimesYesTwo tracks depending on improvements vs. decree+taxes.View source
Virginia15 yearsNoNoNo tax requirement noted.View source
New York10 years (claim of right)NoNoTaxes not required; must be under claim of right.View source
Wisconsin20 years; 10 with deed; 7 with deed + taxesSometimesYesSeveral reduced periods when deed/taxes present.View source

Last reviewed: August 2026 by Aldric Property SolutionsReference only — not legal adviceSort by tapping a column headingSwipe the table sideways — the state and the headings stay pinned

Questions

Frequently asked

01What is adverse possession?

It’s when someone who openly, continuously, and without permission occupies property can eventually claim title if all legal elements (hostile, actual, open & notorious, exclusive, continuous) are met for the required number of years.

02Do squatters have to pay property taxes?

Some states require tax payment or shorten the time if taxes are paid; others don’t. See the state table above.

03Can a deed or “color of title” shorten the timeline?

Yes. Many states reduce the required years if the possessor has a deed/“color of title,” sometimes plus tax payment.

04Fastest way to stop a squatter claim?

Act early—post “No Trespassing,” document notices, file for eviction/ejectment where required, and keep taxes current. (Requirements vary by state.)

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This page is a general reference for the states Aldric Property Solutions serves. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and statutes change. Confirm your own situation with a licensed attorney or advisor in your state before acting on anything here.