Posted signs

[billconner]

We bought some property - 9 acres with 300' of river front - no improvements whatsoever so far - and people tell me I should put up posted signs. Still researching but curious what people here have learned. Trees are not much of an option for many parts.

I saw some a few years ago, heavy orange plastic, and all letters were die cut, like a stencil, not printed. Seemed brilliant - no fading or peeling - very long lasting. I guess just to say I prefer not to have to replace very often.

Wondered what others had found of good value, long look asking, etc.

 

[The Bean]

Uh oh. This thread is going to receive a lot of memes.

 

[tez929rr]

You need to check your state law. As an example, in Texas painting a purple stripe a certain distance above the ground on trees constitutes a legal no trespassing sign. The thing to remember is that trespassers will ignore signs - you have to catch them in the act and your enforcement options usually just allow you to tell them to leave. Law enforcement might or might not be much help.

We had some trouble for a while and we finally had to fence the property to stop it.

 

[mike93lx]

Congrats on the property

 

[billconner]

I did check law - on line - and purple is not yet law in NYS. 11 x 11 min sign, 9 x 9 printing area. 660' apart. (seems far). I know I need 11 minimum. I know they need our name and address on them, which I'm not crazy about. But since I'm putting in a driveway, I think I need to post it to help reduce or avoid liability.

Thanks Mike!

 

[nadogail]

In 1980, at the Chief Petty Officers Club on Naval Station San Diego, the Handicapped Parking area had a sign: If You are not Handicapped when you park here; YOU WILL BE WHEN YOU LEAVE !

 

[PCustoms]

We bought some property - 9 acres with 300' of river front - no improvements whatsoever so far - and people tell me I should put up posted signs.

Who are people to tell you what to do.

Do you want to post your land?

If so, read the laws in that state. Some states are signs every "x" feet, others are purple blazes. Some states you have to register annually.

 

[cpttuna]

I put up signs. Four were professionally painted on stainless. Except for a few bullet holes, they are holding up. Laminated paper ones not so well. Either way ,the property is posted in case the case ever goes to court on trespassing. What has helped the most has been putting up stainless posts and stainless chain and locks to hinder access.

 

[kbs2244]

posted property may not stop trespassers, but in most states it will protect you from
liability problems

 

[billconner]

posted property may not stop trespassers, but in most states it will protect you from
liability problems

This is my reason. With absolutely nothing done - not a tree cut or path cleared - I figure I was safe. Now putting in a driveway - nearly a quarter of a mile from road to river - suddenly more attractive and my liability.

 

[ATC]

I have a neighbor that setup his tree-stand 40 feet from my property line, facing my property. I grabbed a roll of the yellow fabric-type signs sold just about anywhere and put them every 60' on the back property line. Not quite sure on the legalities, but I mainly wanted my neighbor to know that I know what he's up to. They are holding up well after a couple years.

 

[billconner]

posted property may not stop trespassers, but in most states it will protect you from
liability problems

This is my reason. With absolutely nothing done - not a tree cut or path cleared - I figure I was safe. Now putting in a driveway - nearly a quarter of a mile from road to river - suddenly more attractive and my liability.

 

[WisJim]

In Wisconsin signs aren't required, it's assumed you're trespassing unless you have permission to be on the property, but I put up signs anyway because of ignorant people. And we had neighbors in a housing subdivision use the signs for target practice! Within the city limits, too.

 

[Boatman62]

When I lived in NYS I asked my insurance company about liability with and without signs. They said it doesn't make a difference.
Personally I hate posted signs.

 

[tinmanwpk]

Absolutely put a chain across that driveway and have the signs posted right there in addition to the other locations.

 

[billconner]

Always nice to know that whatever I do, someone here will agree it's the right choice. I'll ask my insurance agent if it's necessary or of any value. Posts and a chain might make sense when I put in a driveway.

There's actually signs of someone hunting on the land. If they asked, I'd probably say sure, go ahead. But no idea how I would identify them

 

[anomm701]

Always nice to know that whatever I do, someone here will agree it's the right choice. I'll ask my insurance agent if it's necessary or of any value. Posts and a chain might make sense when I put in a driveway.

There's actually signs of someone hunting on the land. If they asked, I'd probably say sure, go ahead. But no idea how I would identify them

Motion cameras you can pick up decent ones for $60 post them where you've seen signs of them walking or on any trails. If it's a small town I'm sure everyone knows everyone just put word out you'd like to chat with them
Works for me

 

[Nutria]

Where I live, "dispersed camping" is popular and an issue on unoccupied properties. Posting (at least here) doesn't always work. As Woody Guthrie said, "on the other side, it didn't say nothin'."

 

[buzzworth]

My insurance guy told me it's just cheap insurance to post signs along my fence with the golf course and take some pictures of them. It may not stop a possible lawsuit if someone gets hurt trespassing, but it will show they were warned.

 

[dcg9381]

Around here, not posted and not gated/fenced = not trespassing.

We have some rural property up north that is gated/fenced on the road, but isn't fenced on adjacent property sides.
We have to put signs up high, otherwise people take them down.... I assume it's hunters. Nothing like having people with guns on your property. We've caught them once or twice, always the same "got lost / didn't know" - no problem getting them to leave, but it's a little sketchy...

 

[thebmrust]

Hunters with guns will often leave (and not return) when confronted with property owners with guns.

 

[yatg]

Where I live, "dispersed camping" is popular and an issue on unoccupied properties. Posting (at least here) doesn't always work. As Woody Guthrie said, "on the other side, it didn't say nothin'."

Nothing like finding a homeless encampment on your property to start off a 3 day weekend. Plus the OP has the added attraction of a water feature for bathing.

 

[Innovate1]

I would put up signs and a gate or chain across the road. We have a long drive - about 500' and the ground is open so you can see our house from the street. It has one mail box. And a 1 lane drive. We put up a no trespassing sign near the entrance and we still had people coming up to the house claiming they thought there was more or a subdivision. Most seemed just curious and harmless but you never know. When I was building the house I had a couple shady looking guys in an old pickup pull up the house which was just getting framed. When confronted they claimed they were just turning around and made a hasty retreat. I was inside and it wasn't obvious from the outside anyone was there until I came out.

Found a hunting platform made from some lumber and plywood in an old tree so just cut it down with the chainsaw. Later found out the neighbor had told their friend they could hunt there as it was just farmed for years before we bought it.

Had someone come though with a 22 rifle and when I asked what they were doing and that it was private property they said just hunting squirels as if that made trespassing ok. But they left. Had another neighbor say they were just looking for mushrooms as if that was ok on my land without asking.

If the land hasn't been occupied for some time there may be people that are used to just using the land as if it was public. May take a little time to convince them otherwise.

 

[dcg9381]

Hunters with guns will often leave (and not return) when confronted with property owners with guns.

Probably true. In my state, us "license holders" were taught that it's generally not a good idea to approach people with an openly carried (let alone held) firearm as an initial means to solve a problem.

"Get off my lawn" has it's value. But I prefer not to spend my money on attorney fees related to situations that didn't have to "escalate quickly".

Having 2 German Shepherds works fine for home, but aren't without their own insurance issues.

 

[thebmrust]

^^^^understood.

My thoughts are more in the mindset of, as you walk the fence line/property if a hunter is there uninvited (and knows it), they’ll prob leave and not return if they think you’re regularly present. If a hunter who is being honest, will admit their mistake and ask how to make it good.

 

[jimindm]

You might check with your states DNR. You may or may not own clear to the water. Even then anyone with a fishing license maybe able to be there.

Be there as in near the water. They could not walk through you property for access. If posted.

Private lake you might own clear to the water. A river as the OP states I am guessing not. The army core of engineers that are tasked with rivers, might be another source of information

 

[tez929rr]

You might check with your states DNR. You may or may not own clear to the water. Even then anyone with a fishing license maybe able to be there.

Be there as in near the water. They could not walk through you property for access. If posted.

Private lake you might own clear to the water. A river as the OP states I am guessing not. The army core of engineers that are tasked with rivers, might be another source of information

Yeah, we have a bunch of friends with river frontage and depending on size of the creek or river at some point federal rules start to apply and it’s even more confusing.

 

[billconner]

Well, I know I can't build within 50' of mean high water. Establishing where that is I haven't figured out. I can do hardscape - driveways and patios, but not decks for instance; and I can build a dock which I think requires both building department and DEC (NY's DNR). I guess I can build a boat house, and actually have habitable space above, but the building official rolled his eyes as its not easy. I think this is all state regulated, not federal.

Here's is a look at the real estate add https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/0-Old-Town-Springs-Rd-Clayton-NY-13624/2113170394_zpid/

 

[dcg9381]

Well, I know I can't build within 50' of mean high water. Establishing where that is I haven't figured out.

Here FEMA establishes the "flood zone" which, I think is the 100 year high water mark (estimated). You can input your address:

FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Welcome!

msc.fema.gov

 

[billconner]

Here FEMA establishes the "flood zone" which, I think is the 100 year high water mark (estimated). You can input your address:

FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Welcome!

msc.fema.gov

Interesting. "no digital data available"

 

[The Bean]

How To Keep Trespassers Off Your Land: 12 Things (2022) You Must Know

Have you been having problems with trespassers? Know there are things you can do to keep them off your land. Read on to find out more!

gokcecapital.com

Lots of good advice here.

 

[billconner]

Response from my insurance agent:

"Personally, No Trespassing signs are better than nothing but they don’t really have any legal bearing especially if there is anything innately dangerous on your property. For example, if you owned a tiger, or a firework factory, and a trespasser went on your property and injured themselves you would still be vicariously liable. "

Kind of what I expected.

 

[dcg9381]

Tiger > German Shepherds + gun bearing land owner
(Hands down)

 

[nadogail]

Your best protection is a nosy neighbor who is comfortable talking with you and knows what should and should not be going on.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.

 

[billconner]

Your best protection is a nosy neighbor who is comfortable talking with you and knows what should and should not be going on.

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.

Vacant rural land on both sides for quite a ways. I actually sent the owners each a snail mail shortly after closing just introducing myself and noting we had no specific plans for development. Most of the properties are not posted.

 

[joe_padavano]

I have only one piece of advice. Stop crowdsourcing answers to legal questions on the interwebs. All that's going to do is give you a bunch of incorrect information. The only thing that matters are the laws in YOUR state and YOUR local jurisdiction. Go find out about those. Nearly every jurisdiction has this information available on line. Responses from people in other states will be worthless.

 

[billconner]

The original post was what to use for no trespassing signs - material and so on - but for me has become - given a choice - signs or not. Neither legal questions, but more experience.

I'm leaning toward just posting entrance - which we cleared of trees and brush yesterday - and consider a chain or gate. Looks like what others have done. It would be hard to get on property other than the new entrance - a steep and heavily overgrown 30-40' embankment.

Still considering options with state laws in mind.

 

[My Old Tools]

Actually, no signs are required in Texas. If it's not yours, you are trespassing.

 

[RPH]

Here in Michigan the rules on rivers and creeks for public access is the log rule. If the body of water is deep enough to float logs, then the public can walk the river / stream bed. Great Lakes are public to high water mark on the beach. Very few private beaches are around and most are very small. In the order of 40-100’ wide spots. All you do is walk the water edge, public land.

 

[The Bean]

This is the last post on page 1 and no memes. I was wrong.