Louisiana Residents On Edge As Purple Warnings Appear In State

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - Louisiana urban legends have fueled generations in the Bayou State to fear purple paint on a fence or tree, so what does it really mean?  We have all the details.

Many say if you pass the purple paint marked boundary that you will be shot, arrested, or even worse.

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It actually has something to do with what is called the "Purple Paint Laws". Louisiana Revised Statute title 14, section 63 says that when a Louisiana resident marks their property with purple paint, it just like hanging a no trespassing sign.

Louisiana Revised Statute title 14, section 63, sub-section J reads:

(2) The placement of identifying purple paint marks on the trees or posts on the property, provided that such marks are:

(a) Vertical lines of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width.

(b) Placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet from the ground nor more than five feet from the ground.

(c) Placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than one hundred feet apart on forest land, as defined in R.S. 3:3622, or one thousand feet apart on land other than forest land.

Purple paint is a popular choice for homeowners that struggle to keep signs up due to wind, rain, or even vandalism.

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