Adverse possession in North Carolina
North Carolina's general period is 20 years of possession under known and visible lines and boundaries, adversely to all other persons (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-40).
How long it takes in North Carolina
With color of title, the period is seven years of possession under known and visible lines and boundaries (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-38).
Once the boundaries are marked and a certified survey map is recorded, listing and paying taxes on the marked property is prima facie evidence of possession (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-38(b)).
Sources: NC twenty years; NC seven years color of title
Land and people the clock does not run against
No one can gain an exclusive right to any part of a public road, street, lane, alley, square or other public way by occupying it (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-45).
Against the State, the period is thirty years of adverse possession (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-35).
Sources: NC public ways; NC claims against the State
Fences and boundary lines
That rule relies on boundary marking, such as visible metal or concrete markers, and a recorded map from an actual survey by a North Carolina registered surveyor (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-38(b)).
Source: NC markers and survey map
Common questions
How many years for adverse possession in North Carolina?
North Carolina's general period is 20 years of possession under known and visible lines and boundaries, adversely to all other persons (N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-40).