The periods in New York
| Claim | Period | Statute | From March 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years | N.Y. CPLR 213(2) | March 15, 2032 |
| Oral contract | 6 years | N.Y. CPLR 213(2) | March 15, 2032 |
| Property damage | 3 years | N.Y. CPLR 214(4) | March 15, 2029 |
In New York, the time limit to sue is 6 years for a written contract, 6 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: N.Y. CPLR 213(2) reads “The following actions must be commenced within six years: … an action upon a contractual obligation or liability, express or implied.”
Damage to property: N.Y. CPLR 214(4) reads “The following actions must be commenced within three years: … an action to recover damages for an injury to property except as provided in section 214-c.”
New York gives written and oral contracts the same 6 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 6 years on March 15, 2032, an oral contract reaches its 6 years on March 15, 2032 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, 6 allow longer than 6 years on a written contract and 12 allow less (median 6 years). For property damage, 8 of 33 give less than New York's 3 years (median 3 years). Massachusetts, Michigan and Vermont have the same three periods.
Neighbouring states with verified periods (written / oral / property): Massachusetts 6 / 6 / 3 and Vermont 6 / 6 / 3. Which state's period applies to a dispute that crosses a border is itself a legal question.
CPLR 213(2) excludes contract actions that other provisions cover, such as sales of goods under UCC Article 2.
The time limit is the same whichever court hears the case. A claim of $10,000 or less can be filed in New York small claims (small claims limit), and it must still be filed inside the period above.
Sources: New York State Senate, CPLR § 213; New York State Senate, CPLR § 214 · 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 New York?
6 years for a written contract (N.Y. CPLR 213(2)) and 6 years for an oral one (N.Y. CPLR 213(2)).
How long do I have to sue for property damage in New York?
3 years under N.Y. CPLR 214(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 New York periods on March 15, 2032 (a written contract), March 15, 2032 (an oral contract) and March 15, 2029 (damage to property).