Vermont Adverse Possession / Squatters' Rights (12 V.S.A. § 501)

Under 12 V.S.A. § 501, "an action for the recovery of lands, or the possession thereof, shall not be maintained, unless commenced within 15 years after the cause of action first accrues to the plaintiff or those under whom he or she claims." Because the record owner's right to recover the land is time-barred after 15 years, a possessor who holds the property openly, notoriously, hostilely, exclusively, and continuously for the full 15-year period may acquire title by adverse possession. Vermont has not codified all the adverse-possession elements; § 501 supplies the 15-year limitations period while courts define the required character of possession. Possession under color of title or claim of right strengthens the claim. A statutory exception bars adverse possession of certain public and charitable lands.

No specific statutory penalty; this is a civil limitations and quiet-title matter. After 15 years of qualifying adverse possession, the record owner is time-barred under 12 V.S.A. § 501 from an action to recover the land.