As the weather warms and you start to venture outside, be careful where you walk.

If you come across a purple fence post, it’s best to stay away.

A purple fence post is meant to send a message to anyone who comes across it, and that message is: No trespassing!

While property owners have the option of hanging a sign to indicate private property, signs can deteriorate over time while paint will last a lot longer and still convey the same message.

In 1987 Arkansas became the first state to implement a purple paint law. Currently, 22 states have laws allowing landowners to mark the perimeter of their property with purple paint.

However, while some states use different color paint – Idaho and Montana use orange paint – the idea is the same.

At first many governments required landowners use purple paint and signs, but overtime signage was no longer required. However, if you live in one of the 28 states that does not have a purple paint law, you may be unfamiliar with its meaning.

A painted post or tree means no trespassing.

In order to comply with the law, the purple stripe must be 3′ to 5′ off the ground and at least 8″ long and 1″ wide. The markings must not be more than 100′ apart.

Please share this story to make sure everyone knows about the purple paint law.

As the weather warms and you start to venture outside, it’s important to be cautious about where you walk. If you happen to come across a purple fence post, it’s best to stay away. Why? Because a purple fence post is a clear indication that you are approaching private property and should not trespass.

The use of purple paint to mark property boundaries originated in Arkansas in 1987 and has since been adopted by 22 states. The idea behind the purple paint law is to provide a long-lasting and easily visible way for landowners to communicate that their property is off-limits. While some states may use different colors like orange, the message remains the same – do not trespass.

Initially, many states required landowners to accompany the purple paint with signage, but over time the signage became optional. This means that if you live in one of the 28 states without a purple paint law, you may not be familiar with what it signifies.

In order to comply with the law, the purple stripe must be positioned 3′ to 5′ off the ground and be at least 8″ long and 1″ wide. The markings should not be more than 100′ apart to effectively communicate the property boundary.

So, the next time you see a purple fence post or tree, remember that it’s not just a quirky paint choice – it’s a clear message to respect the privacy of the property owner. Share this information with others to ensure that everyone is aware of the significance of a purple painted post. Stay safe and be mindful of property boundaries as you enjoy the great outdoors this season.