DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama landowners have a unique option when it comes to marking property lines — purple paint. Since 2016, state law has recognized these markings as a legal equivalent to traditional “No Trespassing” signs.
Under Alabama Code §13A-7-1, property owners can paint vertical purple stripes on trees or posts to warn against trespassing. But despite being legally valid, the practice still confuses many residents.
Dr. Becky Barlow, Associate Dean and Assistant Director of Agriculture at Auburn University, emphasized the importance of proper boundary maintenance.
“I think that the most important thing a landowner can do is make sure they have a good survey of their property and be familiar with where their property boundaries are,” said Barlow. “Landowners should keep their property lines painted in a consistent manner. It can be purple or any color they choose. Then they should also maintain ‘No Trespassing’ signs, regardless of the paint color selected.”
To meet legal requirements, purple paint markings must:
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Be vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide
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Be positioned 3 to 5 feet above ground
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Be clearly visible
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Be spaced no more than 100 feet apart in wooded areas or 1,000 feet in open land
Supporters of the law say paint markings are harder to remove or damage than signs. However, critics point out the marks can be hard to spot in dense forests or when adjacent properties use similar colors.
For more information, landowners can visit the Alabama Extension’s guide on forest property line management: https://www.aces.edu/…/forest-property-line-management/
