Squatter & Adverse Possession Laws by State

Name: Squatter & Adverse Possession Laws by State
Creator: Aldric Property Solutions
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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.

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Squatter & Adverse Possession Laws by State
State ▾	AdversePossessionPeriod ▾	PropertyTaxesRequired ▾	ShorterWithDeedOrColorOfTitle ▾	Notes ▾	SourceURL ▾
Alabama	10 years with deed or taxes; 20 by prescription	Sometimes	Yes	10 yrs if deed or taxes; otherwise 20 yrs.	View source
Arizona	10 years standard; 5 or 3 with deed + taxes	Sometimes	Yes	City-lot rules can require taxes; deed can shorten.	View source
Arkansas	7 years with deed/color + taxes; 15 on wild land	Yes	Yes	Taxes generally required; special rule for wild/unimproved land.	View source
Colorado	18 years standard; 7 with deed + taxes	Yes	Yes	Deed + taxes can cut to 7 yrs.	View source
Connecticut	15 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Delaware	20 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Florida	7 years with deed or taxes	Sometimes	Yes	Often requires deed or tax payment to qualify in 7 yrs.	View source
Georgia	20 years standard; 7 with deed	No	Yes	Taxes may be relevant in practice; statute lists deed path.	View source
Idaho	20 years	Yes	No	Statute requires tax payment during occupancy.	View source
Illinois	20 years standard; 7 with deed/taxes; 2 in foreclosure context	Sometimes	Yes	Special 2-year path after foreclosure possession; see statute details.	View source
Indiana	10 years	Yes	No	Tax payment required during possession.	View source
Iowa	10 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Kansas	15 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted in base rule.	View source
Kentucky	15 years standard; 7 with deed	No	Yes	Deed option shortens the period to 7 yrs.	View source
Louisiana	30 years; 10 with deed	No	Yes	Civil law ‘acquisitive prescription’ 30 yrs, or 10 with deed.	View source
Massachusetts	20 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Michigan	15 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Minnesota	15 years	Yes	No	Tax payment required; some color-of-title nuances exist.	View source
Mississippi	10 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Missouri	10 years	No	No	No tax requirement in main rule.	View source
New Jersey	30 years; 60 for woodlands/uncultivated tracts	No	No	Very long period; special 60-yr category for certain tracts.	View source
North Carolina	20 years; 7 with deed	No	Yes	Upshot: deed path shortens to 7 yrs.	View source
Ohio	21 years	No	No	One of the longest standard periods.	View source
Pennsylvania	21 years; 10 for small single-family parcels (<0.5 acres)	No	Yes (special parcel rule)	Special 10-yr rule for small SFR parcels.	View source
South Carolina	10 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
Tennessee	20 years standard; 7 with deed	No	Yes	Deed path shortens to 7 yrs; otherwise ~20 yrs.	View source
Texas	10 years standard; 5 with deed/taxes; 3 with color of title	Sometimes	Yes	Multiple shortened paths with deed/taxes or color of title.	View source
Utah	20 years with enclosure/improvements; 7 with decree + taxes	Sometimes	Yes	Two tracks depending on improvements vs. decree+taxes.	View source
Virginia	15 years	No	No	No tax requirement noted.	View source
New York	10 years (claim of right)	No	No	Taxes not required; must be under claim of right.	View source
Wisconsin	20 years; 10 with deed; 7 with deed + taxes	Sometimes	Yes	Several reduced periods when deed/taxes present.	View source