# RCW 7.28.080: RCW 7.28.080: Color of title to vacant and unoccupied land

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S080

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 7.28.080
- **Heading:** RCW 7.28.080: Color of title to vacant and unoccupied land
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 7 / Chapter 28 / Section 080

## Text

Every person having color of title made in good faith to vacant and unoccupied land, who shall pay all taxes legally assessed thereon for seven successive years, he or she shall be deemed and adjudged to be the legal owner of said vacant and unoccupied land to the extent and according to the purport of his or her paper title. All persons holding under such taxpayer, by purchase, devise or descent, before said seven years shall have expired, and who shall continue to pay the taxes as aforesaid, so as to complete the payment of said taxes for the term aforesaid, shall be entitled to the benefit of this section: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, If any person having a better paper title to said vacant and unoccupied land shall, during the said term of seven years, pay the taxes as assessed on said land for any one or more years of said term of seven years, then and in that case such taxpayer, his heirs or assigns, shall not be entitled to the benefit of this section.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 7.28.010 RCW 7.28.010: Who may maintain actions—Service on nonresident defendant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S010.md)
- [RCW 7.28.050 RCW 7.28.050: Limitation of actions for recovery of real property—Adverse possession under title deducible of record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S050.md)
- [RCW 7.28.060 RCW 7.28.060: Rights inhere to heirs, devisees and assigns.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S060.md)
- [RCW 7.28.070 RCW 7.28.070: Adverse possession under claim and color of title—Payment of taxes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S070.md)
- [RCW 7.28.080 RCW 7.28.080: Color of title to vacant and unoccupied land.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S080.md)
- [RCW 7.28.083 RCW 7.28.083: Adverse possession—Reimbursement of taxes or assessments—Payment of unpaid taxes or assessments—Awarding of costs and attorneys' fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S083.md)
- [RCW 7.28.085 RCW 7.28.085: Adverse possession—Forestland—Additional requirements—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S085.md)
- [RCW 7.28.090 RCW 7.28.090: Adverse possession—Public lands—Adverse title in minors, persons under guardianship or conservatorship.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S090.md)
- [RCW 7.28.100 RCW 7.28.100: Construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S100.md)
- [RCW 7.28.110 RCW 7.28.110: Substitution of landlord in action against tenant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S110.md)
- [RCW 7.28.120 RCW 7.28.120: Pleadings—Superior title prevails.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S120.md)
- [RCW 7.28.130 RCW 7.28.130: Defendant must plead nature of his or her estate or right to possession.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S130.md)
- [RCW 7.28.140 RCW 7.28.140: Verdict of jury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S140.md)
- [RCW 7.28.150 RCW 7.28.150: Damages—Limitation—Permanent improvements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S150.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T7_C28_S080. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.