Email: Chapter 55, Article 3C
§55-3C-1. Squatting defined; squatting synonymous with trespass.
(a) “Squatter” means a person occupying a dwelling unit or other structure who is not so entitled under a rental agreement or who is not authorized by the tenant 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.
(b) “Squatting” means the act of being a squatter.
§55-3C-2. Squatters not tenants; squatting constitutes criminal trespass; petition and eviction not appropriate remedies for squatters; remedy is arrest for trespass.
(a) Squatters are not considered tenants for purposes of this code.
(b) Squatting is synonymous with trespass, and is a criminal act under §61-3B-2 or §61-3B-3 of this Code.
(c) No Court of this state shall require the utilization 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.