But you can take prevention into your own hands. Violations of this statute are a Class C misdemeanor unless the land is clearly marked with a “No Trespassing” or “Keep Out” sign. 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. The Difference Between a Forester and a Logger. 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. Specific laws and penalties for violating those laws vary by jurisdiction, but in general, trespassing is a misdemeanor offense. These signs should be posted no more than 100 yards apart. Required fields are marked *, (800)-971-2669Need to talk? Ask the person to explain why he or she is on your property. When people trespass on certain land with some regularity, property owners may begin to expect continued trespassing. They must also be placed conspicuously at places where entry to the property is normally expected. Are you ready to create the signs you need for your property? Maine law offers some specific guidelines for no trespassing signage, stating that signs must: 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. © 2009-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Bestofsigns.com All rights reserved. While landowners are not required to post no trespassing signs on their property, it is recommended, as they have more legal recourse in the event of a trespassing incident. Minimum letter height on the posting signs is one inch, and each posting sign should not be less than fifty square inches. But what is trespassing, exactly? No matter how tempting it is to confront trespassers yourself, it’s best to turn to law enforcement officials and let them investigate the matter instead. This notice/communication must be given through actual communication to the actor, or posting in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders. Property owners have greater legal recourse if they have the properly written notices posted. 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…”, defines criminal trespass as when an individual “enters or remains the on property, or any portion of property, without the consent of the owner.”, 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…”, Be reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders. Stat. You are also entitled to information about the disposal of the case, such as whether the trespasser enters a plea, pays a fine, or requests a trial. The law in Colorado is fairly strict regarding trespassing, and may even be considered a felony if criminal intent is involved. states that “ 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. 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. 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. If signage is posted warning against trespassing, this should also be called to the officer’s attention. Now, the property owner can anticipate that dangerous conditions could pose safety hazards to people on the property. Home » Acrylic Signs » No Trespassing Signs Laws – What a Sign Can & Can’t Do In All 50 States. No Trespassing signs, fence, sprinklers, attempting a polite chat – these do not deter unsupervised kids and dogs – they simply ignore signs (probably can't read), and knock down/pull out and destroy fence, shrubs, and sprinklers. The consequences for this crime also vary from state to state, but may include fines or jail time. 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.