For landowners, the threat of trespassers and the associated liability is a serious concern. To mitigate this risk, many property owners must take extra precautions by clearly posting compliance signs that warn against unauthorized entry, helping to deter both unintentional passersby and individuals with harmful intentions.
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“No Trespassing” signs may vary in design and wording from state to state, as trespassing laws differ across the country. However, all states have some form of these regulations in place. Landowners should consult a guide to no trespassing sign laws to ensure their signs meet the specific legal requirements of their state.
Trespassing typically refers to entering or staying on someone else’s property without permission. While each state has its own definition, the consequences can vary from fines to imprisonment, depending on the jurisdiction. In cases where significant property damage occurs, the penalties can be even more severe, further emphasizing the importance of posting clear and compliant no trespassing signs.
Why Post a “No Trespassing” Sign?
Posting a well-worded “No Trespassing” sign can give property owners stronger legal protection by clearly marking boundaries and providing notice. But what does no trespassing mean? It refers to the act of entering or staying on someone else’s property without permission, and placing visible signs serves as a clear warning to potential intruders.
Below is a summary of trespassing laws and signage requirements across all 50 states, offering guidance on creating effective signage for your property.
While most states don’t have specific rules for the wording on these signs, it’s a good idea to review your state’s relevant statute. Including the statute number at the bottom of the sign can provide an additional layer of clarity and legal backing. By ensuring your sign aligns with your state’s requirements, you can help protect your property and strengthen your legal position.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided is for general guidance only and is not intended as legal advice. Laws may change, so consult an attorney or legal professional for advice on specific property concerns.
1. Alabama: According to Alabama law, “A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the third degree when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises.”
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.
2. Alaska: In Alaska’s trespassing statute, AS 11.46.350, notice against trespassing must be either personally communicated or given by posting “in a reasonably conspicuous manner under the circumstances.”
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.
3. Arizona: Arizona’s trespassing law, A.R.S. §13-1502, states that property owners must provide a reasonable notice prohibiting entry.
4. Arkansas: Arkansas statute Ark. Code Ann. § 5-39-203 states that criminal trespassing occurs when a “person unlawfully enters either someone’s property or vehicle.”
Violations of this statute are a Class C misdemeanor unless the land is clearly marked with a “No Trespassing” or “Keep Out” sign.
5. California: 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.
6. Colorado: Colorado’s trespassing laws are quite stringent and can result in severe penalties. In cases where criminal intent is involved, trespassing may even be classified as a felony, leading to more serious legal consequences. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-4-504 considers it criminal trespassing if a person “unlawfully enters or remains in or upon premises of another.”
No trespassing notices may include the statute citation at the bottom.
7. Connecticut: Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-110a, a first-degree criminal trespass occurs when a “person enters or remains in a building or any other premises after an order to leave or not to enter personally communicated to such person by the owner of the premises or other authorized person.”
8. Delaware: 11 Del. Code § 821 explains that a person may be found guilty of trespassing when he or she “knowingly enters or remains unlawfully upon real property.”
9. Florida: In Florida, Fla. Stat. § 810.09 defines trespassing as a “A person who, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully enters upon or remains in any property other than a structure or conveyance.”
Florida law specifies that warnings against unauthorized entry or trespassing must be clearly communicated through one of the following methods: posting signs, erecting fences or through visible cultivation of the land. Understanding the rules for posting no trespassing signs is crucial for property owners to ensure compliance with state regulations and effectively protect their property. These measures help indicate that the property is private, and access is restricted. This is explained in Florida statute 810.011. This statute offers several requirements for signage, among them:
- Letters no less than 2 inches in height, with the words “No Trespassing” and the name of the owner of the land
- Placed no more than 500 feet apart on agricultural land in a clearly noticeable place
- The bottom of the sign should not be less than three feet or more than five feet from the ground
10. Georgia: In Georgia, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21 defines trespassing as a person who “intentionally damages any property of another without consent of that other person and the damage thereto is $500.00 or less or knowingly and maliciously interferes with the possession or use of the property of another person without consent of that person.”
11. Hawaii: Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 708-814, it is considered trespassing when a “person knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises.”
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.
12. Idaho: In Idaho, I.C. § 18-701 states that trespassing is “when he enters or remains on the real property of another without permission, knowing or with reason to know that his presence is not permitted.”
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.
13. Illinois: Illinois’ 720 ILCS 5/21-3 statute, there are three incidents of criminal trespass: real property, residence, and vehicles.
In Illinois, custom signs or written notices prohibiting entry should be prominently displayed at the main entrance of the property or restricted area. Additionally, the use of purple paint serves as a legal indicator of no trespassing, further reinforcing the notice.
14. Indiana: Indiana Code § 35-43-2 states that a person is trespassing when he or she “knowingly or intentionally enters the real property of another person after having been denied entry by the other person or that person’s agent.”
In Indiana, landowners have the option to use “No Trespassing” signs to deter unauthorized entry. Additionally, similar to Illinois, they can also utilize purple paint as a form of notification. These markings must be clearly visible, beginning at least three inches above the ground and extending to cover the top two inches of the post. This method offers an effective and distinctive way to communicate property boundaries.
15. Iowa: 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 account and may influence the severity of the misdemeanor charge.
16. Kansas: 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.
17. Kentucky: Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 511.080, “A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the third degree when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises.”
18. Louisiana: The La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 14:63 statute states that “No person shall enter any structure, watercraft, or movable owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.”
The no soliciting signs further clarifies that individuals prohibited from entering the property must be explicitly informed, either verbally or in writing.
19. Maine: 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.
Under Rule 303 in the Maine Rules of Evidence, a posted sign or paint marking must be placed in a “manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.”
Maine law offers some specific guidelines for no trespassing signage, stating that signs must:
- Indicated that access is prohibited without permission of the landowner or landowner’s agent
- Mark the property at intervals of no greater than 100 feet and at all vehicular access points from a public road
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 mo more than five feet off the ground.
20. Maryland: Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-402 states that “A 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.
21. Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, M.G.L. c. 266, § 120 states that trespassing occurs when “Whoever, without right, enters or remains in or upon the dwelling house, buildings, boats or improved or enclosed land, wharf or pier of another, or enters or remains in a school bus … after having been forbidden so to do by the person who has lawful control of said premises, whether directly or by notice posted thereon…”
A formal notice must be communicated by posting of a “no trespassing” sign on the property or direct notification.
22. Michigan: Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.552, a person may not “Enter the lands or premises of another without lawful authority after having been forbidden to do so by the owner or occupant or the agent of the owner or occupant.”
At each entry point to the property, there must be at least one clearly visible sign. The minimum letter height on these signs should be one inch, and each sign must cover an area of at least fifty square inches. This ensures that the message is easily readable and effectively communicates the no trespassing policy. Many property owners wonder, “do no trespassing signs work?” When posted correctly, these signs can be highly effective in deterring unauthorized access and providing legal protection in case of violations.
23. Minnesota: Minnesota statute 609.605 says that a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she intentionally “trespasses on the premises of another and, without claim of right, refuses to depart from the premises on demand of the lawful possessor.”
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.
24. Mississippi: The trespassing law in Mississippi, defined in Mississippi Code Title 97. Crimes § 97-17-93, states that trespassing occurs when “Any person who knowingly enters the lands of another without the permission of or without being accompanied by the landowner or the lessee of the land, or the agent of such landowner or lessee…”
Although landowners are not legally obligated to post “No Trespassing” signs on their property, doing so is highly recommended. Displaying these signs enhances legal protection and provides landowners with greater recourse in the event of a trespassing incident.
25. Missouri: Missouri statute Mo. Rev. Stat. § 569.140, says that trespassing occurs when “property is fenced or otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders or as to which notice against trespass is given…”
The notice must be communicated directly to the individual or displayed in a way that is likely to attract the attention of potential intruders.
26. Montana: MCA § 45-6-203 defines trespassing as when “A person enters or remains unlawfully in or upon any vehicle, occupied structure, or premises when the person is not licensed, invited, or otherwise privileged to do so.”
To meet the requirements for posting on private land, the notice must:
- Be placed on a post, structure, or natural object with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange paint
- Appear on outer gates and normal points of access
27. Nebraska: Nebraska’s laws against trespassing, as listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-521 state that a person commits trespassing in the second degree if “knowing that he or she is not licensed or privileged to do so, he or she enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given…”
Communication to the actor must be given verbally or posted in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
28. Nevada: 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.
29. New Hampshire: New Hampshire’s law against trespassing, NH RSA § 635:2, states that “A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place.”
Notices prohibiting criminal trespassing must be displayed on durable signs that clearly communicate the restricted activities, such as “No Hunting or Trespassing,” using block letters that are at least two inches tall. Additionally, the signs should include the name and address of the landowner or lessee. For maximum effectiveness, these signs should be placed no more than 100 yards apart to ensure clear visibility and understanding of the restrictions.
30. New Jersey: New Jersey law, as described in NJ Rev Stat § 2C:18-3 defines a defiant trespasser as “A person … knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given.”
This notice must be delivered directly to the individual or posted in a manner that is reasonably likely to capture the attention of potential intruders.
31. New Mexico: The New Mexico Statute Section 30-14-1 states that criminal trespass “consists of knowingly entering or remaining upon posted private property without possessing written permission from the owner or person in control of the land.”
Notices in New Mexico must be:
- Printed legibly in English
- At least 144 square inches in size
- Contain the name and address of the property’s person of authority
- Placed at each roadway or apparent way of access to the property
- State-specific prohibitions such as “No Trespassing”, “No Hunting,” etc.
32. New York: New York penal code Article S 140.05 defines trespassing as when someone “knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises.”
The no trespassing notice must be given in a posting in a conspicuous manner.
33. North Carolina: In North Carolina, according to statute § 14-159.13, one commits trespassing when “without authorization, he enters or remains on premises of another.”
Notices prohibiting trespassing should be placed in a prominent location where intruders are likely to see them.
34. North Dakota: In North Dakota, NDCC § 12.1-22-03 is the state trespassing law, stating that an individual is guilty of criminal trespass if “knowing that that individual is not licensed or privileged to do so, the individual enters or remains in a dwelling or in highly secured premises.”
Sign requirements for North Dakota include:
- Likely to come to the attention of intruders
- Name of the person posting the premises in legible characters
35. Ohio: According to the Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21, criminal trespassing is considered when someone “knowingly enter[s] or remain[s] on the land or premises of another.”
No trespassing postings in Ohio must be done “in a manner reasonably calculated to come to the attention of potential intruders, or by fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed to restrict access.”
36. Oklahoma: Oklahoma statute §21-1835 defines the act of trespassing as “Whoever shall willfully or maliciously enter the garden, yard, pasture or field of another after being expressly forbidden to do so or without permission by the owner or lawful occupant thereof when such property is posted…”
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 in places where entry to the property is normally expected.
37. Oregon: The Oregon Statute 2017 ORS 105.700 states that trespassing has occurred if someone “entered and remained upon the land of the plaintiff without the permission of the plaintiff.”
No trespassing signs in Oregon must be:
- No smaller than eight inches in height and 11 inches in width
- Contain the words “Closed to Entry” or words to that effect in letters no less than one inch in height
- Display the name, business address and phone number, if any, of the landowner or agent of the landowner
38. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s criminal trespass law 18 Pa.C.S. § 3503 states that a defiant trespasser is someone who, “knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given…”
In Pennsylvania, “No Trespassing” signs must be displayed prominently to ensure they are easily noticed by potential intruders.
39. Rhode Island: In Rhode Island, the criminal code § 11-44-30 states that signs indicating no trespassing must be:
- Posted conspicuously
- Printed legibly
- Affixed with cloth, metal or paperboard
40. South Carolina: 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.
41. South Dakota: In South Dakota, SDLRC – Codified Law 22-35-6 trespassing occurs when “any person who, knowing that he or she is not privileged to do so, enters or remains in any place where notice against trespass is given…”
In South Dakota, postings must be positioned in a way that is likely to catch the attention of trespassers, and any fencing or enclosure should be clearly identifiable as intended to deter unauthorized entry.
42. Tennessee: Tennessee Code 39-14-405 defines criminal trespass as when an individual “enters or remains the on property, or any portion of property, without the consent of the owner.”
Signs in Tennessee should be printed legibly, posted at least three feet from the ground, and contain designations of the prohibited activities. For property owners wondering “how to post no trespassing signs”, it’s important to follow these guidelines to ensure the signs are visible and legally enforceable. Properly positioned signs serve as a clear warning and can help prevent unwanted entry.
43. Texas: Texas Penal Code – PENAL § 30.05 states that a person commits a trespassing offense “if the person enters or remains on or in property of another, including residential land, agricultural land, a recreational vehicle park, a building or an aircraft or other vehicle, without effective consent…”
Notices and postings in Texas should:
- Indicate that entry is forbidden
- Be posted at all entrances
- Be reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders
44. Utah: 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.
Signs posted in Utah should be posted in areas reasonably expected to be seen by intruders.
45. Vermont: 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.
Any signs or placards must be “designed and situated as to give reasonable notice.”
46. Virginia: 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.
No trespassing signs in Virginia must be posted “on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen…”
47. Washington: Washington Revised Code § 9A.52.070 states that “A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the first degree if he or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building.”
Signs in Washington must be conspicuously posted.
48. West Virginia: West Virginia Code §61-3B-3 defines trespassing as “willful unauthorized entry upon, in or under the property of another…”
Signs in West Virginia must be:
- Posted at all roads, or gates of entry into the land
- Reasonably conspicuous
49. Wisconsin: According to the Wisconsin Code Chapter 943, trespassing occurs when someone “Enters or remains on any land of another after having been notified by the owner or occupant not to enter or remain on the premises.”
No trespassing signs in Wisconsin must:
- Include the name of the owner of the land
- Be at least five by seven inches in size
50. Wyoming: WY Stat § 6-3-303 states that a person is guilty of criminal trespass if “he enters or remains on or in the land or premises of another person, knowing he is not authorized to do so, or after being notified to depart or to not trespass.”
Posted signs in Wyoming should be posted in areas reasonably expected to be seen by intruders.
Cover Your Bases With No Trespassing Signs
Regardless of where you reside, as a landowner, it’s essential to take all necessary precautions to safeguard your property against trespassers. This is especially important when dealing with no trespassing signs on public lands, as different rules may apply compared to private property.
Please note that this information is not intended as official legal advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date guidance on trespassing signage laws, it’s best to consult a legal professional.
