How long before you can claim adverse possession in Virginia?

Answer 1

Generally the period for adverse possession is fifteen years unless the owner is under some sort of disability such as infancy, imprisonment or other types. In that case the time is twenty five years.

§ 8.01-236. Limitation of entry on or action for land.

No person shall make an entry on, or bring an action to recover, any land unless within fifteen years next after the time at which the right to make such entry or bring such action shall have first accrued to such person or to some other person through whom he claims; provided that an action for unlawful entry or detainer under § 8.01-124 shall be brought within three years after such entry or detainer.

(Code 1950, § 8-5; 1954, c. 604; 1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 471.)

§ 8.01-237. Effect of disabilities upon right of entry on, or action for, land.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of § 8.01-229, no disabilities or tacking of disabilities shall preserve to any person or his successors a right to make entry on or bring an action to recover land for more than twenty-five years after such right first accrued, although such person or persons shall have been disabled during the whole of such twenty-five years.

(Code 1950, §§ 8-7, 8-8; 1977, c. 617.)

Answer 2

There must be fifteen years of open, continuous and hostile use of someone else's property..