The periods in District of Columbia
| Claim | Period | Statute | From March 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(7) | March 15, 2029 |
| Oral contract | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(7) | March 15, 2029 |
| Property damage | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(3) | March 15, 2029 |
In District of Columbia, the time limit to sue is 3 years for a written contract, 3 years for an oral contract and 3 years for damage to property. Each period runs from the date the claim arises, which statutes usually call the date the cause of action accrues; in the ordinary case that is the day of the breach or the damage.
A written contract and an oral contract: D.C. Code § 12-301(7) reads “on a simple contract, express or implied— 3 years.”
Damage to property: D.C. Code § 12-301(3) reads “for the recovery of damages for an injury to real or personal property— 3 years.”
District of Columbia gives written and oral contracts the same 3 years, so whether the deal was put on paper does not change the deadline here.
Worked dates for a claim that arose on March 15, 2026: a written contract reaches its 3 years on March 15, 2029, an oral contract reaches its 3 years on March 15, 2029 and damage to property reaches its 3 years on March 15, 2029. Tolling rules (for example while a defendant is out of state, or for a minor) can extend a period, and some claims run from when the harm was discovered; the dates show the plain count only.
Among the 34 jurisdictions verified here, 28 allow longer than 3 years on a written contract and 0 allow less (median 6 years). For property damage, 8 of 33 give less than District of Columbia's 3 years (median 3 years). Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina and South Carolina have the same three periods.
Neighbouring states with verified periods (written / oral / property): Maryland 3 / 3 / 3 and Virginia 5 / 3 / 5. Which state's period applies to a dispute that crosses a border is itself a legal question.
A covenant or other instrument under seal has 12 years (§ 12-301(6)).
The time limit is the same whichever court hears the case. A claim of $10,000 or less can be filed in District of Columbia small claims (small claims limit), and it must still be filed inside the period above.
Sources: Council of the District of Columbia, D.C. Code § 12-301 · last checked October 21, 2026.
Before the deadline
A limitation period is a cut-off for filing, not a measure of whether a claim is good. The guide on how limitation periods work explains accrual, tolling and the difference between written and oral contracts, and the small claims filing guide covers the next step.
Questions
What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in District of Columbia?
3 years for a written contract (D.C. Code § 12-301(7)) and 3 years for an oral one (D.C. Code § 12-301(7)).
How long do I have to sue for property damage in District of Columbia?
3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(3).
When does the clock start?
When the cause of action accrues, usually the date of the breach or the damage. A claim that arose on March 15, 2026 reaches the District of Columbia periods on March 15, 2029 (a written contract), March 15, 2029 (an oral contract) and March 15, 2029 (damage to property).