Purple paint is not just a decor: what does a color mark on a fence or tree mean in New York

Walking around New York, you most likely saw a mark made with purple paint on a tree, fence, or the building... But did you know that this is not just a decor and that this color warns you about an important rule? Although this color tag is not yet an official law in New York, however, by analogy with many other states, purple paint is increasingly used in the region to warn you that you have entered a private property where you are prohibited from entering. Hudson valley post.

More than 15 states currently have purple paint laws. There, the colored mark has the same legal meaning as the “No Trespassing” signs.

The law helps landowners to easily and cheaply mark the boundaries of their territory without the need to install expensive signs, which are also often stolen or damaged.

During the 2017-2018 legislative session, New York State Senator James L. Seward proposed the region's purple paint law.

Seward explained his idea as follows: “This law will allow property owners to paint purple paint on trees as an alternative to the current method of denoting property with signs or plates. This is at least rational. ”

Disadvantages of plates

Most people assume that the best way to convey a message is to post a sign. However, as time passed, it became clear that this method has some disadvantages for delineating property boundaries.

The main drawback is the ability to remove this sign. Attackers can easily destroy this warning, which will free them from any liability for illegal entry into someone else's property.

On the subject: 'Grass' in law: where and who can already smoke and store marijuana in New York

Landowners need to constantly monitor the availability and update these signs in a timely manner, which can cost a pretty penny. The constant renovation / reinstallation of these signs and fences results in additional and onerous costs for land and property owners.

According to the bill, these imperfections can be easily remedied by simply using paint. Seward explains that purple color was chosen because it naturally stands out and can be recognized by people with any form of color blindness.

Despite the fact that this bill was never passed in New York, many landowners began to use purple paint to mark the boundaries of their properties.

The following 16 states currently have purple paint law:

• Alabama
• Арканзас
• Arizona
• Florida
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Maine
• Missouri
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Южная Каролина
• Tennessee
• Texas