What are squatters’ rights in Oregon?
In Oregon, a person can gain title by adverse possession only after 10 years of actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile and continuous possession that began with an honest belief of being the actual owner. That belief must have continued throughout the period, had an objective basis and been reasonable under the circumstances, and each element must be proved by clear and convincing evidence. An action to recover real property must also be commenced within 10 years. An owner or landlord may take possession of premises from a squatter through the court action for return of possession after giving the person 24 hours’ written notice that the occupancy is terminated. The notice must state the date and time by which the person must vacate and that the cause is the person’s status as a squatter, and it does not create a right of occupancy or a tenancy. A squatter is a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not entitled to occupy it under a rental agreement or who is not authorized by the tenant to occupy it. Until that period has run, a person occupying property without permission has no claim to its title. This is ORS 105.620; ORS 12.050; ORS 91.140; ORS 105.115; ORS 90.100.
| What | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Adverse possession period | 10 years, with an honest belief of ownership |
| Removing an unauthorized occupant | Through a court proceeding, after notice |
Source
ORS 105.620; ORS 12.050; ORS 91.140; ORS 105.115; ORS 90.100
Read the statute in the Oregon Revised Statutes (Oregon State Legislature): oregonlegislature.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of the published procedure, not legal advice. Courts, local rules and the facts of a tenancy change what applies, and a defect in a notice or a filing can end a case. Have a lawyer review anything before it is served or filed.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora does not file, serve or appear in an eviction, and is not anybody’s lawyer. When a tenant has stopped paying, it lays out these steps for the property’s own state and city with the statute beside each one, holds back any step that would come too early, keeps an append-only record of the case — and shows the resident what would end it, legal-aid links included.
Guides on this rule
- Squatters’ Rights by State: Adverse Possession and Removal — How long adverse possession takes in 51 states, what the statutes require, and which states let law enforcement remove a squatter without an eviction case.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii