Adverse possession in Arizona
Arizona gives an owner 10 years to sue to recover land from a person in peaceable and adverse possession who is cultivating, using and enjoying it (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-526).
How long it takes in Arizona
When the possessor holds under title or color of title, Arizona shortens the owner's time to sue to 3 years (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-523).
When the possessor is paying taxes on the land and claiming under a recorded deed, the owner's time to sue is 5 years (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-525).
Sources: AZ ten-year limit; AZ three-year color of title limit; AZ five-year limit with recorded deed and taxes
What the statute requires
Arizona's statute defines adverse possession as an actual and visible appropriation of the land under a claim of right inconsistent with and hostile to another's claim (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-521).
Land and people the clock does not run against
If the owner is under 18 or of unsound mind when the adverse possession begins, that time does not count against the owner's deadline (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-528).
Source: AZ disability tolling
Fences and boundary lines
A claim under the 10-year rule covers no more than 160 acres, unless the possession is held under a recorded written memorandum of title that fixes the boundaries (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-526).
Common questions
How many years for adverse possession in Arizona?
Arizona gives an owner 10 years to sue to recover land from a person in peaceable and adverse possession who is cultivating, using and enjoying it (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-526).