Statute of Limitations for Trespass to Real Property in Ohio

Overview

In Ohio, the statute of limitations (SOL) for trespass to real property is generally 6 months, governed by Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.13. This is the default/general SOL period used for certain actions involving injury to real property. DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is designed to help you compute a deadline based on a chosen trigger (event/accrual) date.

Trespass claims can be pleaded and described in different ways depending on the facts. However, for this reference page, the SOL period is based on the general/default period in § 2901.13. No claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, so the general rule controls for purposes of this guide.

Limitation period

Start with 6 months as the baseline SOL period under Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.13.

What “6 months” means in practice

In SOL analysis, the key question is usually when the clock starts—often described as the date the claim accrued. In real-world situations, that date can vary based on how the trespass facts are framed and the accrual concept applied to the specific claim.

Because accrual can be fact-dependent, DocketMath’s calculator lets you model the deadline from the trigger date you choose (for example, the date of entry, the date harm began, or a discovery-related date, depending on your facts and how you expect accrual to be determined).

Inputs that affect outputs

When you run the tool, these inputs/toggles are what typically change the output:

• Trigger date (accrual/event date): Changing this date moves the calculated SOL deadline earlier or later.
• Calendar/time method: DocketMath calculates forward for a months-based period (i.e., based on standard time arithmetic used by the tool’s implementation).
• Deadline framing: Treat the calculator’s output as a latest filing deadline for the SOL period—serving/other procedural steps may involve additional rules.

Quick example timeline (illustrative)

If the trespass occurred on January 10, 2026, then a 6-month SOL period typically points to a deadline around July 10, 2026 (the exact day can depend on how the tool counts the end date for “months” and the specific date/accrual rules applied to your situation).

Use DocketMath to avoid mental math and to generate a consistent “latest filing date” you can reference in your materials.

Key exceptions

Even though this guide uses the general/default 6-month period in Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.13, Ohio law may still affect whether and how the deadline applies in your case. Common themes to check include:

1) Tolling (pausing the clock)

Some circumstances can pause or toll the running of an SOL, which can extend a deadline beyond the baseline 6 months. Tolling can arise from issues like:

• disability status,
• certain procedural or case-related events, and/or
• statutory tolling provisions applicable to particular situations.

2) Accrual disputes (what date did the claim “start”?)

Even when the SOL length is clear, disputes often turn on the trigger/accrual date:

• For a single entry, the relevant date may be the entry date.
• For ongoing impact, some fact patterns may argue for a later start date.

Which accrual concept applies depends on the statute and how courts treat accrual for the specific claim theory.

3) Overlap with other claim types

Trespass facts can overlap with other causes of action (such as nuisance, property damage claims, or other tort theories). If the pleadings shift in a way that changes what the claim is legally framed as, both the trigger date and the SOL framework can change.

Because this page is a general/default trespass reference, it keeps the baseline period tied to § 2901.13 (and does not attempt to apply claim-type-specific rules, as none were identified for this guide).

4) Ongoing litigation or prior filings

If a matter has already been filed and later amended or refiled, doctrines such as relation-back or refiling rules may affect timing. DocketMath can help map the baseline SOL date, but procedural doctrines still require careful case-history review.

Statute citation

• Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.13 — 6 months (general/default period)

Source (authenticated Ohio Revised Code PDF):
https://codes.ohio.gov/assets/laws/revised-code/authenticated/29/2901/2901.13/7-16-2015/2901.13-7-16-2015.pdf

This reference page uses the general SOL provision as written. Consistent with the brief, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, so the general/default period is the baseline used throughout.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool to compute the deadline from your chosen trigger date.

1. Go to: /tools/statute-of-limitations
2. Enter the event/accrual date that you believe starts the SOL clock.
3. Confirm the calculator is set for the relevant Ohio general SOL period (6 months under Ohio Rev. Code § 2901.13).
4. Review the output:

   • Latest filing date
   • (If shown) days remaining or elapsed time relative to today

Model multiple trigger-date scenarios

Because accrual can be disputed in trespass fact patterns, consider running more than one scenario, such as:

• Scenario A: date of entry
• Scenario B: date harm was discovered
• Scenario C: date harm began

Even with a short SOL, comparing scenarios can show how sensitive the deadline is to accrual.

For direct access, start here: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator