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Adverse Possession Laws in Wyoming

In Wyoming, an action to recover title or possession of land can only be brought within 10 years after it accrues, so adverse possession requires 10 years.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Wyoming at a glance

Standard period
10 years
With color of title
10 years (same period)
Property taxes required
No
Wyo. Stat. 1-3-103 does not condition the period on paying property taxes.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Wyoming

How many years of possession are required for adverse possession in Wyoming?

Standard period in Wyoming: 10 years.

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

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

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

No. Property taxes required in Wyoming: no. Wyo. Stat. 1-3-103 does not condition the period on paying property taxes.

Where do the Wyoming adverse possession laws come from?

The rules above come from Wyo. Stat. 1-3-103. 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.