Adverse Possession in Oregon
State-specific overview · Property & Real Estate
Oregon requires 10 years of open, continuous occupation, or 20 years if occupation is not exclusive.
How Oregon treats Adverse Possession
An adverse possessor claiming exclusive occupation needs only 10 years under Oregon law. If the occupation is not exclusive—meaning the true owner or others also use the land—the period extends to 20 years. The occupation must be open and notorious, meaning visible and obvious to a reasonable observer. Oregon also allows adverse possession against government-owned land in some circumstances.
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 Oregon.