Purple Paint Law

In the 33rd Senatorial District the outdoors goes hand-in-hand with summer. Time spent on the rivers, farms, and hiking are a way of life. This time of year is fun for most, but can be frustrating for landowners, and those who unknowingly become trespassers.

While it has been law since 1993 not everyone knows or understands what the purple paint law is, or why there are purple-painted markers around private land in the area.

Commonly known as "the Purple Paint Law," it allows landowners to show their property is a posted "no trespassing" area by painting purple vertical stripes on trees and posts.

While most think of the purple paint law in terms of hunting, it applies year round, and serves as posted no trespassing warning. Trespassing on any private property, posted or not, is illegal. However, trespassing on posted property is a more serious offense.

The statute says:

• Any landowner or renter can post their property with purple paint marks.

• Purple paint marks can be placed on either trees or posts.

• Vertical paint lines must be a minimum of 8 inches long.

• The bottom edge of the paint mark should be no less than three feet and no more than five feet from the ground.

• Purple paint lines cannot be more than 100 feet apart.

• Posts may be capped or otherwise marked on at least its top 2 inches.

• Marked posts should not be placed more than 36 feet apart.

• Paint marks must be readily visible to any person approaching the property.

The law reads: "Property so posted is to be considered posted for all purposes, and any unauthorized entry onto the property is trespass in the first degree. First-degree trespassing is a Class B misdemeanor."

The Purple Paint statute has numerous benefits. It allows property owners to clearly identify the boundaries of their land without the expense and problems of erecting and maintaining fences and signs. The painted marks on trees cannot be easily torn down or vandalized and, thus, have the potential to be an effective property marker for several years.

I hope that this summer is a fun, safe and enjoyable one for all, both landowners and land users. Be sure to pay attention and respect others rights to limiting use of their land.

This weekend we will celebrate Father’s Day. This is a great time to reflect on who your father is or was, and the impact he had on your life. As a father myself, it is rewarding to see your children as adults, and to become parents themselves, especially when you are able to see a little of yourself in them. I am blessed to have a great father, and to know my sons are good fathers. May you celebrate a great day filled with love and memories of your father.

As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.