Adverse Possession in Connecticut
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Connecticut requires 15 years of continuous adverse possession with no statutory tax-payment requirement.
How Connecticut treats Adverse Possession
Connecticut follows a 15-year adverse possession period under common law, making it shorter than Colorado but longer than some other states. The occupant must demonstrate open, notorious, exclusive, and hostile possession throughout the entire period. Connecticut courts do not require tax payment as a condition for adverse possession, though evidence of taxes paid can support the claim.
The general definition of Adverse Possession
Gaining legal ownership of land by occupying it openly and continuously for a set period.
If someone uses another person's land openly, without permission, and continuously for many years (typically 7–21 years depending on the state), they may eventually become the legal owner. The original owner must not have stopped them during that time. This doctrine rewards people who improve and maintain land while punishing owners who abandon or ignore their property.
Read the full Adverse Possession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.