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Ohio Posting Laws: How to Post Land
Ohio's trespass law, ORC 2911.21(A)(4), is short on sign specifications. The statute text we read shows no owner-name rule, no letter size and no spacing number. That leaves you free to design a clear sign, and it makes good placement the main job.
What the law asks for on signs
The statute text we read shows no owner-name requirement for Ohio and no minimum letter height. Because the law is quiet, the test is simple: would a person who walks up to the edge of your property understand the message? Use large, high-contrast lettering and short wording.
Spacing and placement
The law sets no specific number for spacing, so signs should be placed where people will see them. Think about how people actually arrive: the road edge, field gates, lanes, creek crossings and trails. A sign on each of those routes does more than a long row of signs along a boundary nobody walks.
Hunting and written permission
ORC 1533.17(A) bars hunting or trapping on lands, ponds, lakes or private waters of another without written permission from the owner or agent. Because of that, posting is not required for hunting. The hunter must carry the permission. A sign still saves everyone a conversation, and it supports your request that visitors ask first.
Practical tips
Check signs after storms and at the end of summer, when sun and weeds have had their turn. Keep dated photos of each sign and each entrance. The statute text we read lists no purple paint rule for Ohio, so use printed signs.
Questions about posting land in Ohio
Does Ohio require my name on a no trespassing sign?
No. The statute text we read shows no owner-name requirement for ORC 2911.21(A)(4). It also lists no letter height. Our builder lets you add a name anyway, which can help people know who to ask. Read the current statute before you order.
How far apart do Ohio signs have to be?
The law sets no specific number for spacing in the statute text we read. Signs should be placed where people will see them, such as entrances, lanes, gates and trails. Read the current text of ORC 2911.21 for any detail we have not listed.
Do hunters need written permission in Ohio if the land is not posted?
Yes. ORC 1533.17(A) bars hunting or trapping on lands, ponds, lakes or private waters of another without written permission from the owner or agent, so posting is not required for hunting. The hunter must carry the permission.
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.