Utah Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

An action may be brought within four years: (1) after the last charge is made or the last payment is received: (a) upon a contract, obligation, or liability not founded upon an instrument in writing; (b) on an open store account for any goods, wares, or merchandise; or (c) on an open account for work, labor or services rendered, or materials furnished; (2) for a claim for relief or a cause of action under the following sections of Title 25, Chapter 6, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act: (a) Subsection 25-6-202(1)(a), except in specific situations where the time for action is limited to one year under Section 25-6-305; (b) Subsection 25-6-202(1)(b); or (c) Subsection 25-6-203(1); (3) for a claim involving personal property damage to the aggrieved party's motor vehicle, as defined in Section 41-6a-102, or personal property from an accident involving a motor vehicle; and (4) for relief not otherwise provided for by law.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-14 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights, Utah Car Accident Laws: No-Fault, PIP, Tort Threshold, and Your Claim, Utah Debt Collection Laws: The 25% Cap, the 15% Student Loan Break, and What Third-Party Payments Do

An action may be brought within two years: (1) against a marshal, sheriff, or other officer for liability incurred during the performance of the officer's official duties or by the omission of an official duty, including the nonpayment of money collected upon an execution; (2) against a constable: (a) for the nonpayment of money collected upon an execution; or (b) acting at the direction of a city, as described in Section 10-7-87, or a county as described in Title 17, Chapter 78, Part 6, Constables, for liability incurred during the performance of the constable's duties; (3) for recovery of damages for a death caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another; (4) in causes of action against the state and state employees, for injury to the personal rights of another if not otherwise provided by state or federal law; or (5) in causes of action against a political subdivision of the state and a political subdivision's employees, for injury to the personal rights of another arising after May 1, 2000, if not otherwise provided by state or federal law.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Motorcycle Accident Laws (2026): Deadlines & Helmets, Utah Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability as an Invitee, Truck Accident Laws in Utah (2026): Deadlines & Liability

(1) A malpractice action against a health care provider shall be commenced within two years after the plaintiff or patient discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered the injury, whichever first occurs, but not to exceed four years after the date of the alleged act, omission, neglect, or occurrence. (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1): (a) in an action where the allegation against the health care provider is that a foreign object has been wrongfully left within a patient's body, the claim shall be barred unless commenced within one year after the plaintiff or patient discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the existence of the foreign object wrongfully left in the patient's body, whichever first occurs; or (b) in an action where it is alleged that a patient has been prevented from discovering misconduct on the part of a health care provider because that health care provider has affirmatively acted to fraudulently conceal the alleged misconduct, the claim shall be barred unless commenced within one year after the plaintiff or patient discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence, should have discovered…

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Medical Malpractice Laws in Utah (2026): Deadlines & Caps, Utah Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide), Utah Wrongful Death Laws (2026): Deadlines & Who Can Sue

A civil action under this part shall be brought within two years from the time the individual who would be the claimant in the action discovered, or in the exercise of due diligence should have discovered, both the harm and its cause.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) An action may be brought within six years: (a) for the mesne profits of real property; (b) subject to Subsection (2), upon any contract, obligation, or liability founded upon an instrument in writing, except those mentioned in Section 78B-2-311; or (c) to recover fire suppression costs or other damages caused by wildland fire. (2) For a credit agreement, as defined in Section 25-5-4, the six-year period described in Subsection (1) begins the later of the day on which: (a) the debt arose; (b) the debtor makes a written acknowledgment of the debt or a promise to pay the debt; or (c) the debtor or a third party makes a payment on the debt.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection (1), an action may only be brought within three years: (i) for waste, trespass upon, or injury to real property; (ii) for taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery; (iii) for relief on the ground of fraud or mistake; (iv) for liability created by statutes of this state other than for a penalty or forfeiture under the laws of this state; or (v) to enforce liability imposed by Section 78B-3-603 or for damages under Section 78B-6-1701. (b) An action under Subsection (1)(a)(i) does not accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the waste or trespass if the waste or trespass is committed by means of underground works upon any mining claim.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Scam and Fraud Laws: Where to Report, Your Right to Sue (2026)

An action may be brought within one year: (1) for liability created by the statutes of a foreign state; (2) upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture where the action is given to an individual, or to an individual and the state, except when the statute imposing it prescribes a different limitation; (3) except as provided in Section 78B-2-307.5, upon a statute, or upon an undertaking in a criminal action, for a forfeiture or penalty to the state; (4) for libel, slander, false imprisonment, or seduction; (5) against a sheriff or other officer for the escape of a prisoner arrested or imprisoned upon either civil or criminal process; (6) against a municipal corporation for damages or injuries to property caused by a mob or riot; (7) except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, against a county legislative body or a county executive to challenge a decision of the county legislative body or county executive, respectively; (8) on a claim for relief or a cause of action under Title 63L, Chapter 5, Utah Religious Land Use Act; or (9) for a claim for relief or a cause of action under Subsection 25-6-203(2).

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Defamation Laws: Libel, Slander & Suing (2026)

An action may be brought within eight years upon the date of: (1) entry of a judgment or decree of any court of the United States, or of any state or territory within the United States; or (2) renewal of a judgment described in Subsection (1) according to the procedures and requirements of Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 18, Renewal of Judgment Act.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Small Claims Court: $20,000 Limit, Fees and How to File

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Abandonment" means that there has been no design or construction activity on an improvement for a continuous period of at least one year. (b) "Action" means any claim for judicial, arbitral, or administrative relief for acts, errors, omissions, or breach of duty arising out of or related to the design, construction, or installation of an improvement, regardless of whether that action is based in tort, contract, warranty, strict liability, product liability, indemnity, contribution, or other source of law. (c) "Completion" means the date of substantial completion of an improvement to real property as established by the earliest of: (i) a Certificate of Substantial Completion; (ii) a Certificate of Occupancy issued by a governing agency; or (iii) the date of first use or possession of the improvement. (d) "Improvement" means any building, structure, infrastructure, road, utility, or other similar man-made change, addition, modification, or alteration to real property. (e) "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, proprietorship, or any other legal or governmental entity.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Actions against directors or stockholders of a corporation to recover a penalty or forfeiture imposed, or to enforce a liability created shall be brought within three years after the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts upon which the penalty or forfeiture attached, or the liability accrued. Actions against stockholders of a bank pursuant to levy of assessment to collect their statutory liability must be brought within three years after the levy of the assessment.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

A statute of limitations may not be applied to a person's ability to bring an action during a period in which the person is: (1) a minor; or (2) mentally incompetent.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)

A claim against a governmental entity, or against an employee for an act or omission occurring during the performance of the employee's duties, within the scope of employment, or under color of authority, is barred unless notice of claim is filed with the person and according to the requirements of Section 63G-7-401 within one year after the claim arises regardless of whether or not the function giving rise to the claim is characterized as governmental.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Aggravating offense" means any offense incident to which a homicide was committed as described in Subsection 76-5-202(2)(a)(iv) or (v) or Subsection 76-5-202(2)(b). (b) "Predicate offense" means an offense described in Subsection 76-5-203(1)(a) if a person other than a party as defined in Section 76-2-202 was killed in the course of the commission, attempted commission, or immediate flight from the commission or attempted commission of the offense.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (2) or another provision of the Utah Code, a prosecution for: (a) a felony or negligent homicide shall be commenced within four years after it is committed; (b) a misdemeanor other than negligent homicide shall be commenced within two years after it is committed; and (c) any infraction shall be commenced within one year after it is committed. (2) (a) A prosecution for: (i) an offense listed in Subsections 76-3-203.5(1)(c)(i)(A) through (CC) may be commenced at any time if the identity of the person who committed the crime is unknown but DNA evidence is collected that would identify the person at a later date; (ii) an offense of forcible sexual abuse, as described in Section 76-5-404, shall be commenced within eight years after the offense is committed, if within four years after the offense's commission, the offense is reported to a law enforcement agency; (iii) an offense of incest, as described in Section 76-7-102, shall be commenced within eight years after the offense is committed, if within four years after the offense's commission, the offense is reported to a law enforcement agency; (iv) an offense of unlawfully…

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) If the period prescribed in Section 76-1-302 has expired, a prosecution may be commenced for any offense a material element of which is either fraud or a breach of fiduciary obligation within one year after a report of the offense has been filed with a law enforcement agency. (2) Subsection (1) may not extend the period of limitation as provided in Section 76-1-302 by more than three years. (3) If the period prescribed in Section 76-1-301.5 or 76-1-302 has expired, a prosecution may be commenced for: (a) any offense based upon misconduct in office by a public officer or public employee: (i) at any time during which the defendant holds a public office or during the period of his public employment; or (ii) within two years after termination of defendant's public office or public employment. (b) Except as provided in Section 76-1-301.5, Subsection (3) shall not extend the period of limitation otherwise applicable by more than three years.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) The period of limitation does not run against any defendant during any period of time in which the defendant is out of the state following the commission of an offense. (2) If the defendant has entered into a plea agreement with the prosecution and later successfully moves to invalidate the defendant's conviction, the period of limitation is suspended from the time of the entry of the plea pursuant to the plea agreement until the time at which the conviction is determined to be invalid, and that determination becomes final. (3) For purposes of this section, "final" means: (a) all appeals have been exhausted; (b) no judicial review is pending; and (c) no application for judicial review is pending. (4) When the period of limitation is suspended pursuant to Subsection (2), the suspension includes any charges to which the defendant pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, charges which were dismissed as a result of a plea agreement, as well as any known charges which were not barred at the time of entry of the plea.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) A prosecution for misusing public money, falsification or alteration of government records, or for a bribery offense shall be commenced within two years after facts constituting the offense have been reported to a prosecutor having responsibility and jurisdiction to prosecute the offense. (2) This section does not shorten the limitation of actions under Section 76-1-302 or Subsection 76-1-303(3).

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

(1) (a) As used in this section, "minor" means an individual who is 14 years old or older, but younger than 16 years old, at the time the sexual activity described in Subsection (2) occurred. (b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) (a) Under circumstances not amounting to an offense listed in Subsection (4), an actor 18 years old or older commits unlawful sexual activity with a minor if the actor: (i) has sexual intercourse with the minor; (ii) engages in any sexual act with the minor involving the genitals of an individual and the mouth or anus of another individual; or (iii) causes the penetration, however slight, of the genital or anal opening of the minor by a foreign object, substance, instrument, or device, including a part of the human body, with the intent to cause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any individual or with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any individual. (b) Any touching, however slight, is sufficient to constitute the relevant element of a violation of Subsection (2)(a)(ii). (3) (a) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting, Utah Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties and Reporting

(1) (a) As used in this section: (i) "Female breast" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-401.1. (ii) "Indecent liberties" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-5-401.1. (iii) "Minor" means an individual who is 16 years old or older, but younger than 18 years old, at the time the sexual conduct described in Subsection (2) occurred. (b) Terms defined in Section 76-1-101.5 apply to this section. (2) (a) Under circumstances not amounting to an offense listed in Subsection (4), an actor commits unlawful sexual conduct with a minor if the actor: (i) (A) is seven or more years older but less than 10 years older than the minor at the time of the sexual conduct; (B) engages in any conduct listed in Subsection (2)(b); and (C) knew or reasonably should have known the age of the minor; or (ii) (A) is 10 or more years older than the minor at the time of the sexual conduct; and (B) engages in any conduct listed in Subsection (2)(b).

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Felony" means any violation of a criminal statute of the state, any other state, the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States for which the maximum punishment the offender may be subjected to exceeds one year in prison. (b) "Habitual violent offender" means a person convicted within the state of any violent felony and who on at least two previous occasions has been convicted of a violent felony and committed to either prison in Utah or an equivalent correctional institution of another state or of the United States either at initial sentencing or after revocation of probation.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov

Also relied on in: Utah Expungement Laws: Petition Process, Clean Slate & Certificate of Eligibility (2026), Utah Felony Degrees and Misdemeanor Classes: Sentences and Fines

The statute of limitations for a felony violation of Section 76-5-401 or 76-5-401.2 is 10 years from the time the victim reaches the age of 18.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at le.utah.gov