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West Virginia Posting Laws: How to Post Land
West Virginia is one of the few states in this group with a minimum letter height and a firm sign spacing figure. It also allows purple paint, but with a catch about signs at entry points. Here is how the numbers work for farms, woodlots and hunting ground.
What the law asks for on signs
Section 61-3B-1(4) asks for the words 'No trespassing' in letters not less than 2 inches high. The statute text we read shows no owner-name requirement and no minimum sign size. A sign with small lettering misses the mark, so make the words large and plain. Our builder follows these sign rules.
Spacing and placement
Signs go not more than 500 feet apart along and at each corner of the boundary, and at all roads, driveways and gates of entry. For hunting ground, 20-2-8 says legible signs 'reasonably spaced' can post unenclosed land. Land under 5 acres with a dwelling, or obviously private property, need not be posted.
Purple paint marks
Paint is allowed under 61-3B-1(4)(B): one vertical purple line not less than 8 in long and 2 in wide, with the bottom 3 to 6 ft above the ground or normal water surface. Marks go on immovable, permanent objects not more than 100 ft apart and must be readily visible.
Even with paint, signs are still required at all roads, driveways and gates of entry, and they must be clearly noticeable from outside the boundary line. Paint therefore fills the gaps along the boundary; it does not replace the signs at the doors to your land.
Enclosed land and a caution
Fenced (3 ft+) or cultivated land counts as enclosed and posted. Entering lawfully posted unenclosed land to hunt, trap or fish is a misdemeanor. One caution: our text came from the 2016 enrolled bill, SB 43 Sub 1, and we did not re-read the current code site, so please check it.
Questions about posting land in West Virginia
How tall must West Virginia no trespassing letters be?
The statute text we read says the words 'No trespassing' must be in letters not less than 2 inches high. There is no minimum sign size in the statute text we read. Choose a sign large enough to carry readable letters at that height.
How far apart do West Virginia signs go?
Not more than 500 feet apart along and at each corner of the boundary, and at all roads, driveways and gates of entry. Our research notes the text came from the 2016 enrolled bill, so read the current code.
Can purple paint replace signs in West Virginia?
Only partly. The statute text we read says paint marks are allowed, but signs are still required at all roads, driveways and gates of entry, clearly noticeable from outside the boundary line. Paint marks go no more than 100 ft apart.
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.