Pennsylvania's general adverse possession period is 21 years under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5530. A shorter 10-year period applies under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5527.1 to a parcel of one-half acre or less improved by a single-family dwelling the possessor has occupied, identified as a separate recorded lot.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5530, "an action for the possession of real property" must be brought within 21 years, so a possessor whose occupation is actual, continuous, exclusive, visible, notorious, distinct, and hostile for 21 years can extinguish the owner's title, "except as provided in section 5527.1." That exception, 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5527.1, allows title "after no less than 10 years" of the same possession for "real estate not exceeding one-half acre in area" improved by a single-family dwelling occupied by the possessor for the full 10 years and identified as a separate recorded lot. Under the 10-year route the record owner has one year, after notice, to file an ejectment action before the court may grant title.
No specific statutory penalty for the occupancy itself. An owner may file an ejectment or quiet-title action; a squatter who has not met the 21-year (or qualifying 10-year) period gains no ownership, and the owner can recover possession.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Penn Hills, PA
Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers may be stored on residential property in side or rear yards only, per Penn Hills Zoning Ordinance performance stan...
Penn Hills, PA
Residential driveways in Penn Hills require a driveway permit and curb cut approval from the Public Works Department. Minimum widths and setbacks set in the ...
Penn Hills, PA
On-street parking in Penn Hills is governed by the Traffic Code (Chapter 202 codified ordinances). Parking is generally permitted unless signed otherwise; st...
Penn Hills, PA
Vehicles left on public streets or visible on private property for more than 48 to 72 hours in an inoperable condition may be tagged and towed under Penn Hil...
Penn Hills, PA
EV charging stations on private property follow the PA Uniform Construction Code and National Electrical Code; a Penn Hills electrical permit is required for...
Penn Hills, PA
Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with commercial markings cannot be parked overnight in residential districts per the Penn Hills Zoning Ordinance. One servi...
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