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Virginia Posting Laws: How to Post Land
Virginia lets you post with signs or with paint marks, and the paint rules are quite specific about where marks go. Hunting, fishing and trapping have their own consent rules that apply even without posting. This guide walks through the sign and paint options, the colour rule and the consent offences.
What the law asks for on signs
Signs must be placed where they may reasonably be seen. The statute text we read gives no foot spacing, no letter height, no minimum sign size and no owner-name rule. That makes placement the main job: think of where a hunter, angler or walker would first step onto your ground and put the sign there.
Paint marks
Under 18.2-134.1(A)(ii), paint marks go on trees or posts at each road entrance and adjacent to public roadways and public waterways adjoining the property. Each is a vertical line at least 2 in wide and at least 8 in long, with its center 3 to 6 ft from the ground or normal water surface, readily visible to any person approaching.
The colour is set by the Department of Wildlife Resources in 4VAC15-20-230: aluminum or purple. This paint system applies to posting for hunting, fishing or trapping under 18.2-134, so it is the rule to follow if hunters, anglers or trappers are your concern.
Hunting land and permission
Going on another's land to hunt, fish or trap without the landowner's consent is a Class 3 misdemeanor under 18.2-132, even if unposted. On land posted under 134.1, written consent (or the owner or agent being present) is required under 18.2-134, a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Posting someone else's land
Section 18.2-135 covers posting another's land without consent, or destroying signs. It is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a 1-5 year loss of hunting license. If you manage land for a relative or a hunt club, get the owner's consent first and keep proof of it.
Questions about posting land in Virginia
What colour paint can I use to post land in Virginia?
The statute text we read says the colour is prescribed by the Department of Wildlife Resources in 4VAC15-20-230 as aluminum or purple. The marks are vertical lines at least 2 in wide and 8 in long, centered 3 to 6 ft from the ground.
Where do Virginia paint marks go?
At each road entrance, and adjacent to public roadways and public waterways adjoining the property, on trees or posts. The statute text we read gives no foot spacing. Marks must be readily visible to any person approaching.
Do hunters need consent on unposted Virginia land?
Yes. The statute text we read says 18.2-132 makes going on another's land to hunt, fish or trap without the landowner's consent a Class 3 misdemeanor even if unposted. On land posted under 134.1, written consent is needed.
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.