Purple Paint Marks Mean ‘No Trespassing’ Under Alabama Law

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DOTHAN, AL (WDNews) — When it comes to using purple paint to indicate property lines, landowners in Alabama have a special choice. These symbols have been recognized by state law as the legal equivalent of conventional No Trespassing signs since 2016.

Property owners can deter trespassing by painting vertical purple stripes on trees or poles in accordance with Alabama Code 13A-7-1. However, many locals are still perplexed by the practice even though it is legal.

The significance of appropriate boundary maintenance was underlined by Auburn University Associate Dean and Assistant Director of Agriculture Dr. Becky Barlow.

According to Barlow, the most crucial thing a landowner can do is to ensure that they have a thorough survey of their property and know where its limits are. It is important for landowners to maintain uniformity in the painting of their property lines. They can make it purple or any other color they like. Regardless of the paint color chosen, they need also keep up No Trespassing signs.

Purple paint markings must adhere to the following regulatory requirements:

  • At least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide, they should be vertical lines.

  • Place yourself three to five feet above the ground.

  • Be easily observable

  • be separated by no more than 1,000 feet in open terrain or 100 feet in wooded regions.

At least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide, they should be vertical lines.

Place yourself three to five feet above the ground.

Be easily observable

be separated by no more than 1,000 feet in open terrain or 100 feet in wooded regions.

Paint markings are more difficult to remove or damage than signs, according to law supporters. Critics point out that in deep forests or when nearby houses employ similar colors, it can be difficult to see the marks.

Landowners can access the Alabama Extension’s forest property line management handbook at https://www.aces.edu/ /forest-property-line-management/ for additional information.

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