Arizona's adverse possession periods are tiered: 2 years by right of possession alone (A.R.S. § 12-522), 3 years under color of title (§ 12-523), 5 years under a recorded deed with taxes paid (§§ 12-524, 12-525), and a 10-year catch-all (§ 12-526). Possession must be open, hostile, and continuous; removal is by court action.
A.R.S. § 12-522 bars recovery after 'two years' against a person in possession by mere right of possession. A.R.S. § 12-523 sets 'three years' for possession under title or color of title. A.R.S. § 12-524 gives a city-lot owner with a recorded deed who 'has paid the taxes thereon for at least five consecutive years' a five-year period, and § 12-525 likewise sets 'five years' where the possessor cultivates the land, pays taxes, and holds a recorded deed. The catch-all A.R.S. § 12-526 requires action 'within ten years' (generally limited to 160 acres absent a recorded instrument). Possession must be actual, open, notorious, hostile, exclusive, and continuous; an owner removes a non-tenant occupant through ejectment or forcible detainer, not self-help.
No specific statutory penalty. If the statutory period and elements are not met, the occupant has no ownership claim and can be removed by court order; the rightful owner who fails to sue within the applicable period may lose title to the adverse possessor.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Mesa, AZ
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