The Purple Paint Law

The Purple Paint Law

In the state of Louisiana, the Purple Paint Law ("The Purple Paint Law," RS 14:63) is a law that protects landowners and vacant land investors from being sued by injured trespassers who enter forbidden territory. Purple paint is very visible and can be painted on tree trunks or fences in wooded areas. Painting as a warning is much easier than posting signs, since signs can be damaged by weather or by others who want to take them down.

This law may sound like a joke, but it is real; it is legal and recorded in government records, and it is not only applied in Louisiana. Most states have this law or a similar one. The Purple Paint Law (RS 14:63) stipulates that if a person marks vertical lines (one inch thick, at least 8 inches long) with purple paint on a sidewalk, on a driveway, on trees, or on property, then trespassing is not permitted. According to this law, purple marks are recognized like warning signs that say: "No Trespassing." If you notice purple paint marks on trees, fences, sidewalks, or on the driveway to someone's home, leave that area immediately. If you trespass illegally, you will be fined, with severity depending on local regulations. However, when convicted of illegal trespassing, a person can be fined up to $500 USD and may have to serve time in jail, usually six months, or face both penalties. We certainly do not want these punishments; therefore, we must be careful and stay away from forbidden areas marked with purple paint!

Purple is commonly associated with Easter and Lent, the period when Jesus was crucified on the cross, leading to His resurrection. Purple symbolizes repentance, humility, and sorrow over the suffering of Jesus, as described in Scripture in John 19:2, "And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head," where soldiers placed a purple robe on Jesus before His crucifixion.

In our daily lives, purple, like the law in Louisiana, is a warning to us that we must be careful not to violate the laws of society, and more importantly, not to violate God's Word. We must stop and stay away when we hear God's Word speak with commands such as "Do not" and "Do not," as God said, "See that none of you repays evil for evil to anyone" (1 Thessalonians 5:15); "Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not a lover of money" (1 Timothy 3:3); "You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me" (Exodus 20:5); "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17). Let us be watchful and vigilant, learn and follow God's Word, so that we avoid the "purple paint" and do not sin against God. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). May God help us always to fear Him, keep His Word in our hearts and follow it, so that we may live in a way pleasing to God, holy, righteous, and show His love to those around us! Amen!

His Word warns us, so be cautious, Examine your heart with every step, The Law and Commandments, always ponder, "Do not" transgress, lest you be hurt!

God loves those who obey His Word, With greater strength and grace in every way, Blessings and peace, never ending, His strength is firm, lean upon it!

(1) Gina Cook, "Louisiana, If Someone Marks Their Property With Purple Paint Leave," April 22, 2024, https://929thelake.com/ixp/160/p/louisiana-if-someone-marks-their-property-with-purple-paint-leave/

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