If you don't know, you could end up on the wrong side of the law
Here’s What It Means If You See Purple Paint on a Fence or Tree
Updated on May 14, 2025
Hiking with my husband—a seasoned outdoorsman and former Eagle Scout—I’ve gotten used to spotting all kinds of odd things in the wild. Over time, I’ve learned that rock cairns, chalk arrows, hand-painted signs, colored ribbons and plastic ties aren’t just random litter (usually). They’re outdoor shorthand, little messages meant to communicate something important. So when we came across a tree streaked with bright purple paint, I didn’t assume it was modern art or my long-hoped-for doorway to a fairy realm. I figured it meant something more practical. And I was right.
“We recently painted our fence posts that face public lands purple,” says Robert Miller, a rancher in Texas. “It was easier and cheaper than putting up metal signs that people would just take down or ignore or would get wrecked by weather.”
I asked him the most important question: “What color purple?”
He answered: “Purple-purple, but not like PURPLE purple. Just like a nice purple.” How curious.
So now for the real burning question: What does a purple fence mean? Read on to find out everything you need to know about the wild, vibrant and weirdly efficient world of purple paint laws.
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So what does a purple fence mean?
Miller and the other purple-painters are sending a simple message: Keep out. That’s right—if you see a fence post, tree trunk or random vertical surface decked out in purple paint, it’s not the result of a gender reveal gone wrong (twins?), and it has a very different meaning than metal wrapped around a tree. That purple stripe is the landowner’s way of saying “no trespassing.”
Putting up some kind of “no trespassing” indication on your property is a legal requirement in many U.S. states, so Miller says he opted for the convenience, affordability and efficiency of purple paint. “It also works better for people who can’t read or pretend they can’t read,” Miller says, adding that they just call it “no-trespassing purple.” (When I googled it, I found a wide variety of paint labeled “no-hunting purple,” which is the same thing.)
Just like the “no trespassing” signs, the purple paint is legally enforceable—you can get arrested for trespassing, even if you don’t know what it means. “Not enough people know about this. I’ve had to explain it to people coming onto my property to fish or four-wheel,” Miller says. “I try to be nice about it, but after a while it gets old.”
How many states have “purple paint” laws?
As of now, at least 22 states have officially adopted some version of the purple paint law. The list includes: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
But not every state designates purple as the “keep out” paint color, which adds to the confusion. Idaho and Montana, for instance, use orange.
What should you do if you see purple paint on a fence or tree?
Here’s a handy flowchart:
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Do you see purple paint? Yes.
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Are you currently on that property? Also yes.
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Turn around. Immediately.
That’s it. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
Each state has slightly different rules, but the concept is the same: If it’s purple and on a tree or fence post, it means you’re not invited. No exceptions for being “just curious” or “wanting to pet the cows.” So unless your idea of a fun afternoon includes meeting a local sheriff, it’s best to back away slowly.
What’s the right way to paint a fence or tree purple?
If you’re a landowner and you want to hop aboard the Barney Express, there are a few things you need to know to make your warning signs both legally valid and visually intimidating.
Use the right shade of purple
Look for No Hunting purple—this is literally the name of the color. You may also see “No Trespassing” or “Posted” purple in stores or online, though none of these are mandated or official colors. The purple just needs to be bright and unmistakable, and you shouldn’t go rogue with lavender or magenta—it needs to be a bold, true purple.
Follow your local codes for how to paint the markings
Laws vary between locations, but they’re pretty similar. In Texas, where Miller is, the law requires that markings be:
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Vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide
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Positioned between 3 feet and 5 feet from the ground
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Spaced no more than 100 feet apart on forested land or 1,000 feet apart on open land
You usually don’t need a sign too
That’s the beauty of the purple paint law—it replaces physical signs. But if you’re feeling extra, you can double up for good measure.
Apply the paint on trees or fence posts that are easily visible
No sneaky back-lot scribbles—this is about clear communication, not booby traps.
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Sources:
- Robert Miller, rancher and landowner in Texas; phone interview, May 9, 2025
- Zareba: “Purple Paint Laws: Rules and regulations”
- Texas Penal Code: “PENAL § 30.05. Criminal Trespass”
- Reddit: “Purple paint laws”
