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Adverse Possession Laws in West Virginia

In West Virginia, an action to recover land must be brought within 10 years after the right accrues, so adverse possession requires 10 years.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

West Virginia at a glance

Standard period
10 years
With color of title
10 years (same period)
Property taxes required
No
W. Va. Code 55-2-1 does not condition the period on paying property taxes.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in West Virginia

How many years of possession are required for adverse possession in West Virginia?

Standard period in West Virginia: 10 years.

Is the adverse possession period shorter with color of title in West Virginia?

With color of title in West Virginia: 10 years (same period).

Does the occupant have to pay property taxes to claim adverse possession in West Virginia?

No. Property taxes required in West Virginia: no. W. Va. Code 55-2-1 does not condition the period on paying property taxes.

Where do the West Virginia adverse possession laws come from?

The rules above come from W. Va. Code 55-2-1. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Courts usually require possession that is actual, open, continuous, exclusive and hostile (without the owner's permission) for the full statutory period. The person claiming the land generally has to prove each element, and courts read these requirements strictly.

Owners can protect themselves by inspecting vacant or rural land regularly, keeping boundary lines marked, and responding quickly to fences, buildings or other uses that cross the line. Written permission, such as a simple license or lease, can make a neighbor's use permissive instead of hostile.

Adverse possession does not usually transfer title automatically. The occupant often needs a court judgment, such as in a quiet title action, before the new ownership can be recorded. Boundary disputes between neighbors are often settled with a survey and a recorded deed instead of a lawsuit.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.