# POSTED - No Trespassing wordage **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684 "2005-05-27T00:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/1 "2005-05-27T00:05:19Z")
Question: What language should be on a “no trespassing” sign. Is it necessary to say “POSTED”? Basically, I want one that effectively and legally warns people not to trespass, camp, hike, hunt, log, cut firewood, or otherwise be on the property. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/2 "2005-05-27T00:33:55Z")
Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be prosecuted. Okay, I know that doesn’t answer your question, but I always liked it. It’s supposed to have been a real sign, but I long ago learned to doubt those kinds of stories. ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/3 "2005-05-27T00:37:50Z")
Here is a link to a NY State Q&A site that has a few signs. I didn’t find one for CA before I got tired of searching. [http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/posting.html](http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/posting.html) ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/4 "2005-05-27T14:23:15Z")
Gabe, it depends upon your state. You’ll need to check with them for the actual details. I’m sure your local PD could give you the ‘straight dope’ on what you’ll need in terms of distance between signs, language, etc. Though you are in CA, and not NH, I’ll toss out there the fact that, in New Hampshire, it is illegal to post land as ‘closed’ to hunting/camping/fishing/hiking (you can exclude motorized vehicles) if it has been placed in ‘current use.’ Current use is a program which allows you a tax break if you specifically allow the 4 uses mentioned above. In NH, the landowner is protected from suits brought by folks on thier land for these purposes. Granted, lots of land in NH is posted, and ALSO in ‘current use’, which technically makes the signs illegal, and the owners liable for the difference they’ve paid in taxes. This is very tough to enforce, however, even with the rising movements of hunters/hikers/fisher(wi)men to report these. Personally, if I was the tax collector of my town, I’d be on these like white on rice. It’s a 20% discount on your tax bill in NH. I’d imagine that on a whole town, that could be some really big $$$. This isn’t the pit, so I can’t say how I really feel about these scoff-laws. -Butler ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/5 "2005-05-27T14:53:33Z")
I love this question. By placing the sign in view, you are posting it. It really does not add anything to the equation by telling people that the sign was posted, on the sign that was posted. Here are some examples of explanations that no specific language is necessary. [http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/pio/citizen\_service/brochures/howto/privacy.html](http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/egov/pio/citizen_service/brochures/howto/privacy.html) [http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/posting.html](http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/posting.html) [http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06HB/HB1572\_int.rtf](http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06HB/HB1572_int.rtf) (rtf format document) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/6 "2005-05-27T14:59:16Z")
> [@](#): > > It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, deposit, place, throw scatter or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill or petition upon any private residential premises if requested by anyone thereon not to do so, or upon any private business premises that are not part of a shopping center if requested by the owner, occupier or agent of such premises not to do so, or if there is placed on residential premises in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof a sign bearing the words: “No Trespassing”; “No Peddlers or Agents”; “No Advertisement”; or any similar notice indicating in any manner that the occupants of such premises do not desire to be molested or to have their right of privacy disturbed, or to have any such handbills or petitions left upon such premises. (Ord. No. 796, § 2.) [http://www.city.davis.ca.us/cmo/citycode/detail.cfm?p=28&q=1137](http://www.city.davis.ca.us/cmo/citycode/detail.cfm?p=28&q=1137) ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/7 "2005-05-27T15:14:31Z")
Didn’t find any county ordinances or state laws on point, though this one is close. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=20721929992+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve](http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=20721929992+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve) It only applies to properties being used for the purposes listed in the statute (mostly hazardous industrial-type stuff). This statute has specific size and wording requirments. > [@](#): > > “Sign” means a sign not less than one (1) square foot in area > and upon which in letters not less than two inches in height appear > the words “trespassing-loitering forbidden by law,” or words > describing the use of the property followed by the words “no > trespassing.” But since it doesn’t apply, you gotta go with the local ordinance. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/8 "2005-05-27T15:16:17Z")
I once saw this notice on the island of Trinidad \*\*Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. \*\* And the the people who’s sign this was ? The Sisters Of Mercy Convent ! ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/9 "2005-05-27T15:26:05Z")
My favorite was “Trespassors will be violated” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/10 "2005-05-27T18:13:57Z")
I never understood this business of “No Trespassing” signs with the word “Posted” on them. As in “Posted: No Trespassing.” The fact that the sign is where someone can read it automatically means that it’s posted. It’s like a sign saying “This is a sign. This sign says ‘No Trespassing.’ This sign is where you can read it. The propery owner has placed this sign, which says ‘No Trespassing,’ where it might be read. That is all.” ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/11 "2005-05-27T19:24:09Z")
In Missouri, and some other states, you can close your land by painting stripes of purple paint on the trees along the property line. Here’s a link to a site about it: [http://fri.sfasu.edu/pages/resources/landownbriefs/html/posted.html](http://fri.sfasu.edu/pages/resources/landownbriefs/html/posted.html) This may be the case in your state. No signs to shootup or tear down. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/12 "2005-05-27T19:48:11Z")
> [@Julius Henry](#): > > Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be prosecuted. > > Okay, I know that doesn’t answer your question, but I always liked it. It’s supposed to have been a real sign, but I long ago learned to doubt those kinds of stories. Or: Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/13 "2005-05-27T20:14:39Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > Question: What language should be on a “no trespassing” sign. Is it necessary to say “POSTED”? > > Basically, I want one that effectively and legally warns people not to trespass, camp, hike, hunt, log, cut firewood, or otherwise be on the property. I’m sorry, but where the heck in Davis do you live that you HAVE property to camp, hunt and log firewood?! The domes? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/14 "2005-05-27T21:18:25Z")
> [@Harmonix](#): > > I’m sorry, but where the heck in Davis do you live that you HAVE property to camp, hunt and log firewood?! > > The domes? This is for my job at a summer camp up in the sierras, not here in D-town. 🙂 Tuolumne County, if that helps anyone., ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/15 "2005-05-28T00:48:14Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > This is for my job at a summer camp up in the sierras, not here in D-town. 🙂 > > Tuolumne County, if that helps anyone., What city? The county does not seem to have any non-zoning ordinances. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/16 "2005-05-28T01:11:44Z")
Umm…maybe I was misinformed, but when I was a child, some family member told me that when the sign says “Posted”, it means that there are guards posted, or outposts. In other words, people with guns waiting to shoot anyone who dares to trespass. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/17 "2005-05-28T01:23:24Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > Umm…maybe I was misinformed, but when I was a child, some family member told me that when the sign says “Posted”, it means that there are guards posted, or outposts. > > In other words, people with guns waiting to shoot anyone who dares to trespass. In this instance, it refers to “posted property,” which is referred to in many ordinances and statutes. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/18 "2005-05-31T05:56:06Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > What city? The county does not seem to have any non-zoning ordinances. 30 miles outside of Strawberry. 93575 if you wanna google it. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posted-no-trespassing-wordage/305684/19 "2005-05-31T12:50:15Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > 30 miles outside of Strawberry. 93575 if you wanna google it. Well I didn’t find anything. Here are some sources of local ordinances in california if you want to double check. > **[California Local Codes and Charters](https://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/california-local-government-documents/codes-and-charters)** > > The IGS Library maintains a large depository collection of local ordinance codes and charters issued by California cities and counties.Below is a list of currently available codes and charters issued in loose-leaf format, with call numbers appearing... [http://www.amlegal.com/online\_library.htm#California](http://www.amlegal.com/online_library.htm#California) > **[California Legal Research - FindLaw](https://caselaw.findlaw.com/california.html)** > > FindLaw provides Arkansas Legal Research for lawyers, attorneys, and corporate counsel. [http://www.municode.com/resources/code\_list.asp?stateID=5](http://www.municode.com/resources/code_list.asp?stateID=5) Hope this helps!