Michigan Recreational Trespass Bill Passes Michigan House With Overwhelming Support

Michigan House Bill 4013 aims to clarify trespassing signage requirements for landowners by mandating signs every 250 feet along property boundaries. This bipartisan-supported legislation seeks to enhance enforcement and reduce confusion regarding recreational trespass protection rights.

Michigan House Bill 4013 proposes a practical fix to signage rules that hinder enforcement of trespassing violations on private land.

Michigan Recreational Trespass Bill Enforcement Strengthened Under HB 4013

LANSING, Mich. — Property owners in Michigan may soon have more clarity — and protection — when it comes to trespassers on their land. House Bill 4013, sponsored by Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland), passed the Michigan House on April 15 with near-unanimous bipartisan support. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

At the heart of the legislation is a long-standing issue that has frustrated landowners and law enforcement alike: unclear standards on signage requirements under the state’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA).

The current law mandates that “no trespassing” signs be placed such that at least one is visible from any point of entry. But in practice, enforcement has proven difficult. According to Slagh, property owners — especially in wooded or rural areas — are being told they need to post signs at every small break in a treeline. That’s left both landowners and police uncertain about how to proceed in cases of recreational trespassing.

Michigan Recreational Trespass Law Gets Clearer Rules for Signs

The revised bill, HB 4013, removes the vague “point of entry” requirement and instead sets a clear standard: signs must be posted every 250 feet along the property boundary. The new spacing requirement is designed to provide consistency for landowners and clarity for law enforcement.

“It’s simply not practical to expect signs at every opening in a tree line,” said Slagh in a statement. “This bill provides a commonsense solution.”

The signs must still meet existing specifications — at least 50 square inches in size and with lettering a minimum of one inch high. These rules are meant to ensure visibility and effectiveness while offering a standard both enforceable and manageable.

Broad Support from State Agencies and Property Rights Groups

During a March hearing before the Natural Resources and Tourism Committee, both the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan Realtors voiced support for the legislation?. The DNR, which oversees enforcement of state conservation and land use laws, said the bill helps resolve long-standing disputes.

The revised bill also clarifies exceptions — such as when a person may retrieve a hunting dog without prior consent, or when navigating a stream — preserving rights that sportsmen and anglers have under Michigan law.

According to legislative analysis from the House Fiscal Agency, HB 4013 is not expected to significantly impact the state budget or local enforcement costs?.

Why This Matters to Rural and Northern Michigan Property Owners

For Michigan residents in regions like the Thumb, Northern Lower Peninsula, and the Upper Peninsula — where property is often unfenced and recreational activity is high — the change is expected to make a noticeable difference. Rural property owners have frequently reported instances where trespassers are not prosecuted due to inadequate signage interpretation.

Next Steps: Awaiting Senate Consideration and Final Passage

The Senate failed to take action on a nearly identical version of the bill last session. Slagh hopes that the near-unanimous vote this time — and public support from agencies like the DNR — will move the bill forward in 2025.

If enacted, the new spacing rule would apply statewide and remove ambiguity that has stymied property enforcement for years.

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