Fences and signs
Signs in nature can serve various purposes, such as guiding visitors, warning of hazards, or indicating areas with restricted access.
The right of public access allows everyone to enjoy the countryside, but with certain responsibilities. Signs in nature help guide visitors, warn of hazards, and indicate restricted areas. Understanding these signs, as well as rules around fences and barriers, ensures that nature remains accessible and respected.
Keep in mind
- Signs may be allowed in specific situations, such as to warn of danger or in areas where the right of public access doesn’t apply.
- Landowners are not allowed to put up fences to prevent access to areas where the right of public access applies.
- "Keep Out" signs are only permitted on such land if the landowner has received special permission.
Fences and property boundaries
Homeowners are allowed to enclose their privacy zone with a fence, but they cannot block access to areas beyond it solely to exclude others. If they do, they must provide an entry point such as a gate or stile. Commercial buildings like barns or storage units do not have a privacy protection zone, as they are not residential.
Fences must not block access
Landowners cannot block access to land covered by the right of public access by erecting fences or other barriers. This principle ensures that nature remains accessible to the public, while also balancing the needs of landowners.
Landowners are not allowed to put up fences simply to prevent people from entering land where the right of public access applies.
You are allowed to climb over a fence to access land covered by the right of public access – provided you do so carefully and respectfully. However, you must not damage the fence or create an opening in it.
If a fence for livestock prevents the public from reaching an important area for outdoor recreation, the County Administrative Board may require the landowner to install a gate or stile to allow access. The same rule applies to ditches – a footbridge may be required if the ditch obstructs public access.
If a fence has clearly been put up only to keep the public out, the municipality or the County Administrative Board may order the landowner to remove it.
No ‘Keep Out’ signs without permission
Sometimes, landowners try to deter people by putting up signs like:
- Privat mark ("Private land")
- Ej obehöriga äga tillträde ("No trespassing")
Such signs are not allowed if they attempt to restrict access to areas where the right of public access applies – unless the landowner has received special permission from the local municipality to put up such a sign.
This also applies to signs that prohibit walking, cycling or horseback riding on private roads and trails.
When are signs allowed?
There are situations where signs can legally be put up without permission, such as:
- In areas where the right of public access does not apply, e.g. near houses (“tomt”), on cultivated land, or on land especially vulnerable to damage.
- To warn of real dangers, such as Varning för tjuren ("Beware of the bull").
- In exceptional cases, signs restricting non-motorised traffic (like walkers or cyclists) may be allowed on private roads or tracks.
Illegal signs – What can you do?
If you come across a sign that seems illegal, you are not allowed to remove it yourself.
Instead, report it to the local municipality, which is responsible for contacting the landowner. The municipality can order the sign to be removed and may enforce this with a fine if necessary.