{"data":{"id":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-55-3c-2","jurisdiction":"us-wv","citation":"W. Va. Code § 55-3C-2","heading":"Squatters defined: squatters not tenants; squatting constitutes criminal trespass; petition and eviction not appropriate remedies for squatters; remedy is arrest for trespass.","body":"(a) “Squatter” means a person unlawfully occupying a dwelling unit or other structure who is not entitled under a rental or lease agreement or who is not authorized by the tenant or owner to occupy that dwelling unit or structure. “Squatter” does not include a tenant who holds over in a periodic tenancy as described in §37-6-5 of this code, or an owner.\n(b) “Squatting” means the act of being a squatter. Squatting is synonymous with trespass, and is a criminal act under §61-3B-2 or §61-3B-3 of this Code.\n(c) Squatters are not considered tenants for purposes of this code and are not entitled to eviction proceedings afforded to lawful tenants. A Court of this state shall not require the use of eviction, or a similar procedure such as those found under §55-3A-1, et seq. or §55-3B-1, et seq. of this Code, by an owner in any instance involving the removal of a squatter from possession of a property.","path":["CHAPTER 55. ACTIONS, SUITS AND ARBITRATION; JUDICIAL SALE.","ARTICLE 3C. STOP SQUATTERS ACT."],"source_url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/55-3C-2/","current_through":"as of 2026-08-03; contains at least the enactments of the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:30:55Z","sha256":"38257229bf8497b30613b4ba4039a218b74d5dfa6edf58675533aad96d85e564","source_id":"us-wv","stale":true,"prev":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-55-3c-1","next":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-55-3c-3"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}