What does a purple fence mean in the U.S.?

If you’re driving or hiking in unfamiliar territory, it’s always a good idea to acquaint yourself with your surroundings first. Different colors and objects could transmit different information. If you’ve seen houses with purple fences and are wondering what does a purple fence mean, we’ll solve the mystery for you. 

Interestingly, there’s a purple paint law in many parts of the United States. A law that recognizes the legal boundary of private property and the rights of the property owner to prosecute trespassers.

Remember that the next time you’re exploring the wilderness with your friends and family, you must keep an eye out for purple fence posts. Apart from purple fence posts, you might even see purple trees. These aren’t there to enhance the curb appeal of the property. They are warning signs asking you to keep away. 

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What does a purple fence mean? 

Generally, a purple fence post means no trespassing. Of course, the laws may vary from state to state. Many property owners prefer using “No Trespassing” signs but more often than not, these signs get stolen, damaged, or worn out with time.

That’s why, today, most of them use purple color as a way to warn trespassers. And, do you know why they use purple color in particular? That’s because the color purple can be distinguished even by those who suffer from color blindness.

The history of the purple paint law 

The Purple Paint Law was passed by the Missouri State Legislature in the mid-1990s. According to the law, the property owner or lessee of real property may post identifying vertical purple paint marks on trees or posts around the area. Such paint marks should be readily visible to any person approaching the property. Any unauthorized entry will be considered trespass in the first degree, and a class B misdemeanor.

What are the other fence colors and their meanings?

There’s color psychology at play in various domains of life – be it human emotions, cultural influences, or home designs. It’s believed that colors influence our actions, moods, and perspectives. For example, a green front door reflects wealth, vibrancy, health, and safety while a white door would reflect the homeowner’s simplistic style. A red door in American tradition would mean welcoming.

Apart from the psychological angle, there’s also a legal angle to explore regarding this color symbolism. Most states in the U.S. have a consensus on the usage of a few hues.

For example, orange-colored paint designates unit boundaries as well as trees that are to be left uncut. Blue-marked trees, on the other hand, are ones that are to be removed. Blue fences commonly indicate a property boundary, while red fences indicate the boundary of timber harvesting.

What does purple fence mean in Texas and other states?

Purple fence posts are used all over the state of Texas by a lot of people. It sends a warning on behalf of landowners to trespassers – telling them that they are not allowed on that particular private property. Failing which, they will be prosecuted. 

What happens when you enter a property with a purple fence?

There can be severe penalties for disregarding purple fence posts. Trespassers can be convicted of criminal trespass – resulting in jail terms lasting months or even years. Additionally, in certain jurisdictions, there’s a fine of up to $10,000. 

Therefore, you need to be absolutely certain that the property you enter is not marked purple. 

How to use purple paint on the fence

Some of the U.S. states, including Texas, Alabama, Illinois, Maine, Florida, and North Carolina, have purple fence laws. If you live in any of them and want to practice this law, there are some guidelines for the painting project. 

• The purple stripes should be vertical.
• They should be at least 1 inch wide and 8 inches long.
• The color should be 3 to 5 feet off the ground and less than 100 feet apart.
• It should be clearly visible to passersby and potential trespassers.
• Any type of spray paint can work for fence posts but trees must be marked only with latex paint, not oil-based as the latter can be harmful to trees. 

Read more: Front step design ideas

Last thoughts

So now you know what does a purple fence mean. It’s a way of marking property boundaries and protecting the property, plants, people, and wildlife within. If you’re hiking or driving through an unfamiliar place, and see purple posts or trees, stay away. And remember to be observant and stay safe. 

Read more: Can neighbor build fence on property line

Written by Ramona Sinha. October 13, 2022

Ramona is a content writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depths of her soul.