No, squatting in Wyoming is illegal under state statutes and common law. Unauthorized occupation of property violates Wyoming’s criminal trespass laws (Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-303) and civil trespass provisions, exposing squatters to eviction, fines, or imprisonment. Local sheriffs enforce removals, while the 2026 Wyoming Legislature’s HB 247 expanded penalties for repeat offenders, aligning with national trends to deter property theft.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Wyoming
- Criminal Trespass (Wyo. Stat. § 6-3-303): Occupying another’s property without consent constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment and $750 fines. Aggravated trespass (e.g., damaging property) escalates charges to felony status.
- Civil Eviction Procedures: Property owners must file a forcible detainer action (Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1003) in county court. Wyoming’s 2025 procedural reforms shortened timelines, requiring squatters to vacate within 5 days of a court order.
- Adverse Possession Exclusion: Unlike some states, Wyoming’s 10-year adverse possession statute (Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-103) explicitly excludes squatters who occupy property illegally, as their presence lacks “hostile” intent per judicial precedent.
Local jurisdictions, such as Laramie County, collaborate with the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office to prosecute repeat squatting cases under HB 247’s enhanced penalties. Property owners should document unauthorized entry immediately to expedite legal action.