Home / State posting laws / New Mexico
New Mexico Posting Laws: How to Post Land
New Mexico sets firmer numbers than many states. NMSA 30-14-6 asks for a legible English notice of at least 144 square inches, with a name and address, and spacing on unfenced land. Hunting and fishing have their own permission rule.
What the law asks for on signs
Each notice must contain the name and address of the person under whose authority the property is posted. It is printed legibly in English and is at least 144 square inches. Small plates and stickers will not do. The statute text we read lists no letter height.
Spacing and placement
If the property is not fenced, notices go every five hundred feet along the exterior boundaries. They also go at each roadway or apparent way of access. Fenced land is different in practice, because the gates become the main entry points. Even so, post every road, track and gap where a vehicle could roll in.
Hunting, fishing and permission
Under 30-14-1(A), written permission is required to hunt, fish or trap on posted private property. There are exceptions for Open Gate or department agreements and landowner licenses. Section 30-14-1(B) also makes entry on unposted land a crime when the owner has denied consent. Posting at all vehicular entrances is sufficient notice.
Paint and what we could not confirm
The statute text we read lists no purple or other paint rule for New Mexico, so plan on signs. Our statute text came from the Department of Wildlife page quoting NMSA, not the official code. Read the current statute, and keep dated photos of each posted entrance.
Questions about posting land in New Mexico
How big must a New Mexico no trespassing sign be?
The notice must be at least 144 square inches, printed legibly in English, with the name and address of the person under whose authority the property is posted. Our builder follows the statute, but read the current statute before you order.
How far apart do New Mexico posting signs go?
If the property is not fenced, notices are posted every five hundred feet along the exterior boundaries. They also go at each roadway or apparent way of access, so walk every road and track that enters your land and note where a sign belongs. Check the statute for the current wording.
Do hunters need written permission on posted land in New Mexico?
Yes. Under 30-14-1(A), written permission is required to hunt, fish or trap on posted private property, with exceptions for Open Gate or department agreements and landowner licenses. Entry on unposted land is also a crime when the owner has denied consent.
This guide explains the law in plain words; it is not legal advice. We read the statute text on 2026-10-24. Laws change: check the current text here or ask your county or state wildlife agency.