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.
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood prohibits noise that disturbs the peace under LMC Chapter 8.36 (Noise Control). Residential quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM weeke...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Aircraft operations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) adjacent to Lakewood are governed by federal law and m...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood prohibits frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal sounds that disturb the peace under LMC Chapter 8.36. Excessive barking is a noise control viol...
Lakewood, WA
Construction noise in Lakewood is restricted to weekday hours of 7 AM–10 PM and weekend/holiday hours of 9 AM–10 PM under the LMC Chapter 8.36 noise control ...
Lakewood, WA
Abandoned vehicles in Lakewood are subject to code enforcement as a nuisance. Lakewood Police Department handles abandoned vehicle reports for public streets...
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood street parking is governed by city traffic codes consistent with Washington State law. Standard rules apply regarding curb distance, fire hydrant cl...
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