Source: https://printlist.org/best-of-signs/a-guide-to-trespassing-sign-laws-for-every-state/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 08:18:45+00:00

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For landowners, the nuisance of potential trespassers and the liability that comes with them is a real concern. Because of this issue, many owners of private land must take special care to post the appropriate signage to deter passersby or people with nefarious intentions from going in.
A formal “no trespassing” sign may differ in format and content from state to state since trespassing laws vary across the country, but all states have them in some form or another.
But what is trespassing, exactly? Generally speaking, criminal trespassing is defined as “entering or remaining on another’s property without the owner’s consent”, but each state has its own specification as well. The consequences for this crime also vary from state to state, but may include fines or jail time. However, the penalty may be more severe if significant damage is done to the property.
Property owners have greater legal recourse if they have the properly written notices posted. Below we break down the trespassing laws and notice/signage requirements for all 50 states as a guideline when creating your property’s signage.
While most states do not have specific guidelines on the sign text itself, it can be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the appropriate statute that can be listed at the bottom of your sign for reference, should you want to include it in the notice.
Legal Disclaimer: The following information is not official legal advice, and any laws listed may be subject to change. For official legal counsel on property concerns, consult an attorney or another legal professional.
No trespassing signs in Alabama must be reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders and should provide a reference to the legal code Title 13A. Criminal Code § 13A-7-4.
Notices should be placed at all access points to the property, be legible in English, and contain specific prohibitions such as no trespassing, digging, hunting, etc.
Arizona’s trespassing law, A.R.S. §13-1502, states that property owners must provide a reasonable notice prohibiting entry.
Violations of this statute are a Class C misdemeanor unless the land is clearly marked with a “No Trespassing” or “Keep Out” sign.
California Penal Code Section 602 PC includes over thirty different forms of trespassing, but all adhere to the same general elements of willfully entering or remaining on someone else’s property.
Landowners should have either “No Trespassing” signs posted, and/or enclose their land with a fence.
No trespassing notices may include the statute citation at the bottom.
Property owners should post sign(s) that say “Private Property –– No Trespassing”, with lettering no less than two inches in height, placed at reasonable intervals along the boundary of the land as well as all entrances to the property.
No Trespassing signs in Idaho should include bright orange or fluorescent paint, “at all property corners and boundaries where the property intersects navigable streams, roads, gates and rights-of-way entering the land”, so that a reasonable person would be put on notice that it is private land.
Illinois’ 720 ILCS 5/21-3 statute, there are three incidents of criminal trespass: real property, residence, and vehicles.
A printed or written notice forbidding entry should be posted at the main entrance to the land or forbidden area, as well as purple paint, which signifies notice in Illinois.
While Indiana permits signage posting for “No Trespassing”, like Illinois, you can also use purple paint to give notice. The markings must be visible, starting at least three inches off the ground and covering the top two inches of the post.
Under Iowa Code § 716.8, “Any person who knowingly trespasses upon the property of another commits a simple misdemeanor.” However, the intent of the trespasser is also taken into consideration, and may alter the degree of misdemeanor.
The state trespassing law in Kansas, Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5808 states that trespassing is “entering or remaining upon or in” public or private land that someone does not have authorization or permission to access.
Signs, postings, and purple paint are all considered notices of private property in Kansas.
It goes on to explain that persons forbidden from entering the property must be expressly informed either verbally or in writing.
In Title 17-A, §402 section of the Maine criminal code, it explains that “A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that that person is not licensed or privileged to do so, that person” enters any dwelling place, locked or barred structure, or any place that he or she is lawfully excluded, among other specific instances.
The use of paint markings must consist of a vertical line at least one inch wide and eight inches in length, no less than three feet from the ground and more than five feet off the ground.
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-402 states that “ person may not enter or trespass on property that is posted conspicuously against trespass”, specifying that signs must be placed where they can reasonably be seen, or paint marks must conform with regulations of the Department of Natural Resources.
Paint marks must be placed on trees located at each road entrance to the property, as well as those adjacent to public spaces.
A formal notice must be communicated by posting of a “no trespassing” sign on the property or direct notification.
At any point of entry upon the property, there must be not less than one sign. Minimum letter height on the posting signs is one inch, and each posting sign should not be less than fifty square inches.
Posted “no trespassing” signs must be at least 8 ½ by 11 inches in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the building or within the property in which the building is located. The sign must carry a general warning against trespassing.
While landowners are not required to post no trespassing signs on their property, it is recommended, as they have more legal recourse in the event of a trespassing incident.
The notice must be given through actual communication to the actor or posting in a manner that is reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
Communication to the actor must be given verbally or posted in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
In Nevada, it is considered trespassing when one “Willfully goes or remains upon any land or in any building after having been warned by the owner or occupant thereof not to trespass,” according to NRS 207.200.
Depending on the type of land, owners can indicate no trespassing areas through painting a post an orange fluorescent color, at intervals of not more than 200 feet.
Notices to prohibit criminal trespass must be posted on durable signs with words describing the prohibited activity, such as “No Hunting or Trespassing”, written in block letters no less than two inches tall, and include the name and address of the landowner or lessee. These signs should be posted no more than 100 yards apart.
This notice/communication must be given through actual communication to the actor, or posting in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
State-specific prohibitions such as “No Trespassing”, “No Hunting,” etc.
The no trespassing notice must be given in a posting in a conspicuous manner.
Notices against trespassing must be posted in a conspicuous place an intruder would be reasonably likely to encounter.
Signs in Oklahoma must be posted in block letters with specific prohibited activities or notices listed, such as “PROPERTY RESTRICTED”; “POSTED – KEEP OUT”; “KEEP OUT”; “NO TRESPASSING”, or the like. They must also be placed conspicuously at places where entry to the property is normally expected.
No trespassing signs in Pennsylvania must be posted in a conspicuous manner likely to be noticed by an intruder.
According to South Carolina’s no trespassing statute, S.C. Code §16-11-620, is defined as unauthorized entry into the land or building of another.
Signs in South Carolina must be posted in a conspicuous manner.
Postings in South Dakota must be reasonably likely to come to the attention of trespassers and/or a fencing or enclosure that a reasonable person would recognize as being designed to prevent trespassing.
Signs in Tennessee should be printed legibly, posted at least three feet from the ground, and contain designations of the prohibited activities.
Utah’s criminal trespass law, 76-6-206 explains that anyone who enters and remains on property which notice prohibiting entry is given is guilty of criminal trespassing.
Posted signs in Utah should be posted in areas reasonably expected to be seen by intruders.
Statute 13 V.S.A. § 3705 states that unlawful trespassing occurs when an individual “enters or remains on any land or in any place as to which notice against trespass is given.
As defined in the Code of Virginia, “any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so…” commits trespassing.
Signs in Washington must be conspicuously posted.
Posted signs in Wyoming should be posted in areas reasonably expected to be seen by intruders.
No matter where you live, if you are a landowner, you want to make sure you are taking all the steps necessary to protect your property from trespassers.
Remember that this information is not official legal advice. For the most up to date and accurate information regarding trespassing signage laws, consult a legal professional.
Are you ready to create the signs you need for your property? Get started designing your own or choose from one of our sign templates and you will be on your way.

References: § 13
 §13
 § 716
 § 21
 §402
 § 6
 §16
 § 3705