The periods in Iowa
| Claim | Period | Statute | From March 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years | Iowa Code § 614.1(5)(a) | March 15, 2036 |
| Oral contract | 5 years | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) | March 15, 2031 |
| Property damage | 5 years | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) | March 15, 2031 |
In Iowa, the time limit to sue is 10 years for a written contract, 5 years for an oral contract and 5 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: Iowa Code § 614.1(5)(a) reads “those founded on written contracts, or on judgments of any courts except those provided for in subsection 6 and those brought for the recovery of real property, within ten years.”
An oral contract and damage to property: Iowa Code § 614.1(4) reads “Those founded on unwritten contracts, those brought for injuries to property, or for relief on the ground of fraud … within five years.”
Putting the agreement in writing adds 5 years: 10 years for a written contract against 5 years for an oral one, a ratio of 2 to 1.
Worked dates for a claim that arose on March 15, 2026: a written contract reaches its 10 years on March 15, 2036, an oral contract reaches its 5 years on March 15, 2031 and damage to property reaches its 5 years on March 15, 2031. 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, 0 allow longer than 10 years on a written contract and 28 allow less (median 6 years). For property damage, 24 of 33 give less than Iowa's 5 years (median 3 years). Missouri has the same three periods.
Neighbouring states with verified periods (written / oral / property): Minnesota 6 / 6 / 6, Missouri 10 / 5 / 5, Nebraska 5 / 4 / 4, South Dakota 6 / 6 / 6 and Wisconsin 6 / 6 / –. Which state's period applies to a dispute that crosses a border is itself a legal question.
The time limit is the same whichever court hears the case. A claim of $6,500 or less can be filed in Iowa small claims (small claims limit), and it must still be filed inside the period above.
Sources: Iowa Legislature, Iowa Code § 614.1 · 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 Iowa?
10 years for a written contract (Iowa Code § 614.1(5)(a)) and 5 years for an oral one (Iowa Code § 614.1(4)).
How long do I have to sue for property damage in Iowa?
5 years under Iowa Code § 614.1(4).
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 Iowa periods on March 15, 2036 (a written contract), March 15, 2031 (an oral contract) and March 15, 2031 (damage to property).