Under Va. Code § 8.01-236, a person must take action to recover land within 15 years after the right accrues, so an occupant claiming title by adverse possession must hold the property continuously for at least 15 years. A landlord uses an unlawful detainer action, not adverse-possession rules, to remove a holdover tenant or trespasser.
Va. Code § 8.01-236 sets Virginia's adverse-possession period: "No person shall make an entry on, or bring an action to recover, any land unless within fifteen years next after the time at which the right to make such entry or bring such action shall have first accrued." To gain title a claimant must show possession that is actual, open, exclusive, hostile, and continuous for the full 15 years; Virginia imposes no property-tax-payment requirement, and successive occupants may sometimes "tack" their periods together. This is one of the longest adverse-possession periods in the nation. A squatter or holdover tenant does not obtain ownership simply by occupying; the owner removes them through an unlawful entry or detainer action, which must generally be brought within three years (§ 8.01-124).
No statutory penalty for an adverse-possession claim itself. An owner defeats a squatter by bringing an unlawful entry or detainer action within the limitation period; a successful 15-year adverse-possession claim transfers title and bars the prior owner's recovery.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Hampton, VA
Hampton restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas. Vehicles exceeding one ton rated capacity or displaying commercial advertising may not...
Hampton, VA
Hampton requires driveways to meet zoning standards for width, materials, and setbacks. Vehicles must be parked on paved surfaces only. Parking on grass or u...
Hampton, VA
Hampton restricts the parking of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on residential streets and in front yards. RVs and boats must generally be stored...
Hampton, VA
Hampton regulates street parking through posted signs and general ordinances. Most residential streets allow parking but may have time limits. Vehicles must ...
Hampton, VA
Hampton limits fence height to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards under the zoning ordinance. Corner lots have additional visibility req...
Hampton, VA
Hampton generally does not require a building permit for residential fences under 6 feet in height. Fences exceeding standard heights or those in flood zones...
See how Hampton's squatter's rights & adverse possession rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.