Adverse Possession in Minnesota
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Minnesota requires 15 years of adverse possession, with payment of property taxes throughout the entire period.
How Minnesota treats Adverse Possession
Minnesota law requires 15 years of open, exclusive, hostile, and continuous possession to establish adverse possession. Unlike some states, Minnesota requires the adverse possessor to pay property taxes on the land for the entire 15-year period, making tax payment a mandatory element rather than optional. The possessor must occupy the land as if they were the true owner, and the occupation must be visible and notorious enough that a reasonable owner would discover it. Possession must be uninterrupted and without the owner's permission.
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 Minnesota.