How long you have in Utah
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.
| Kind of claim | Agreement | Window | Counted from | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Deposit | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Unpaid Invoice | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Unpaid Loan | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Contractor Dispute | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Auto Repair | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Other | In writing | 6 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-309 |
| Security Deposit | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Unpaid Invoice | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Unpaid Loan | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Contractor Dispute | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Auto Repair | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Other | Spoken or by conduct | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §78B-2-307 |
| Property Damage | Either | 3 years | the day the damage happened | Utah Code §78B-2-305(2) |
| Sale of Goods | Either | 4 years | the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken | Utah Code §70A-2-725(1) |
Worked example
If the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken was 2026-03-15, a window of 6 years runs out on 2032-03-15. That is the same arithmetic the check uses: calendar months, clamped to the end of the month, and no roll forward to the next court day.
More about Utah
Common questions
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Utah?
- The shortest window is 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Utah Code §78B-2-305(2). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
- How long do you have on a property damage claim in Utah?
- 3 years, counted from the day the damage happened, under Utah Code §78B-2-305(2).
- How long do you have on a sale of goods claim in Utah?
- 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under Utah Code §70A-2-725(1).
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Utah?
- An individual can claim up to $20,000. A business can claim up to $20,000. A public agency can claim up to $20,000. That comes from Utah Code §78A-8-102.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Utah's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2025-01-01.
- Utah Code §78B-2-309 · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim based on a written agreement must be filed within six years of when it was broken.
- Utah Code §78B-2-307 · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim based on a spoken agreement, or on an open account for goods or services, must be filed within four years.
- Utah Code §78B-2-305(2) · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim for damage to your personal property must be filed within three years; a crash involving a motor vehicle has its own four-year window.
- Utah Code §70A-2-725(1) · effective 2025-01-01 · A claim about a sale of goods must be filed within four years of the breach.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.