Washington's general adverse possession period is 10 years under RCW 4.16.020, requiring possession that is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous. A shorter 7-year period applies under RCW 7.28.070 when the occupant holds under good-faith color of title and pays all taxes legally assessed on the land for those seven years.
RCW 4.16.020 bars an action to recover real property 'unless it appears that the plaintiff, his or her ancestor, predecessor or grantor was seized or possessed of the premises in question within ten years before the commencement of the action,' establishing the 10-year adverse-possession baseline (possession must be actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous). RCW 7.28.070 provides a shorter route: anyone who, 'under claim and color of title, made in good faith,' shall 'for seven successive years continue in possession' and 'pay all taxes legally assessed' shall be 'adjudged to be the legal owner.' Successors who continue both possession and tax payment may complete the seven years. A squatter lacking these elements remains a removable trespasser.
No specific statutory penalty. An occupant who fails to satisfy every element of RCW 4.16.020 or RCW 7.28.070 acquires no title and may be removed through ejectment or unlawful detainer (RCW 59.12.030 covers entry without permission or color of title); willful trespass may also carry criminal liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Auburn, WA
Federal law preempts local aircraft noise. Auburn Municipal Airport follows FAA Part 150 and Sea-Tac overflights are under FAA and Port of Seattle. ACC 8.28 ...
Auburn, WA
Industrial sources into residential zones are capped at 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night under WAC 173-60 via ACC 8.28. The Boeing Auburn plant and Valley warehou...
Auburn, WA
Outdoor concerts and festivals must meet ACC 8.28 limits and often need a special event permit. Downtown Auburn and Les Gove Park events follow a written noi...
Auburn, WA
Auburn applies WAC 173-60 EDNA limits through ACC 8.28. Residential: 55 dBA day, 45 dBA night. Industrial receiving: 60 dBA day, 50 dBA night. Measured at th...
Auburn, WA
Auburn restricts RV, trailer, and boat parking on public streets to 72 hours and sets additional limits on driveway and front-yard storage of recreational ve...
Auburn, WA
Auburn does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed time-limited zones, and no-parking signs at parks, trailheads,...
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