Secluded property but what about people wandering in?

[curiousoneboi2]

I just purchased a secluded 6 acre property and plan to be nude outdoors, close to the house, which sits nearly in the middle of the 6 acres. You can NOT see the property from the street, or, from any of the neighbors homes. So far so good. But, what about being "caught" by delivery people, meter readers, solicitors, etc coming to my house? Or, what about neighbors and/or their children "discovering" me nude if they choose to "shortcut" through my property. I won't be flaunting, but, people may still stumble upon me despite my safeguards. This is in Ohio, if that makes a legal difference. Thanks!

[naturalmanwa]

I would suggest some "no trespassing" signs for your property and if you have a fenced yard or property, perhaps some sort of sign on the gate like "no solicitors" or to call before entering.

[FLBareBear]

Hi, Friend,
First check your states laws. Here in FL I'm completely covered legally though uncovered actually. Have been caught many times by mail carriers etc.
It would help your case to post sign at driveway warning of "possible nudity ahead".

[FLBareBear]

My warning sign reads "Notice - Nudity May Be Encountered Beyond This Point - FL ststute 800.03"

[nudebushwalker]

How unfortunate some people in some regions must be ?

Down here in in Oz' your home is still your castle - if you can't be seen from public streets or paths under normal circumstances (i.e. ladders, hoists, people on roofs or up in the air couldn't be considered as 'normal' and everyday..), if your neighbours can't see you from their property under normal conditions, then you are pretty well free to go nude on your own property.
People entering your property, or passing through your place, do so at their own risk. While you would have a certain responsibility towards their 'safety' and 'welfare', [as in not deliberately setting man-traps, nor intentionally shooting, trapping, or poisoning them, and so-on and such-forth..] that doesn't extend to their 'morals' or 'ethics'..
And "no trespassing" signs do have some restrictions and exemptions. Some people - such as police, government inspectors (e.g. agriculture, immigration, national security agencies, and the like..), RSPCA inspectors, and emergency service workers, can usually enter private properties when they have just cause..
Some people will also have a right to pass through some private properties (by the shortest route usually, and without damaging or interfering with anything, obviously..). A lot of times a sign is more of a deterrent than an absolute ban, and also helps to cover you legally and insurance wise (some insurance companies will want properties sign-posted as private property as part of their requirements).

[Big-Thinker]

I suggest having a "public interface area", if possible... If your driveway is short & front yard is small, and if your utility meters are located there, just section that off from the rest of your property, considering the public interface area a clothed zone.

Regarding the neighborhood children, unfortunately there is now a law in Ohio that makes everyday occurances illegal, and even most partents criminals. Technically, if a neigborhood kid trespasses onto your property, breaks into your house, pries open your bathroom door, rips down your shower curtain and sees you nude, then you have committed the crime (please someone correct me if I'm wrong here). (Edited my post here - See Mark's correction below) I doubt you would ever be prosecuted in court for that scenario nor if a kid trespassed, against your knowledge, and happened to see you nude. They'd probably be embarrassed enough that they wouldn't do it again, and if they told their parents, most would probably tell the child they shouldn't have been trespassing anyway.

Myself, I am trying to build a private fence around all my property, which people would have to try real hard to get through. Also I'm wanting to implement some sort of alarm/bell to alert me when someone is coming up the driveway or coming through my entry gate.

[texasjoe]

I strongly plenty of foliage, a fence and "no trespassing" signs. I've seen driveway monitors for sale at Lowe's. DO NOT advertise nudity on your property. You can't tell who may show up.

Mail carriers and meter readers see interesting things. I wouldn't worry about them.

It really would be worthwhile to make an appointment with an attorney.

CYA legally.

[Lake City Nudist]

Place signs up your driveway you may see nude people beyond this point that way it will be no suprize.Also put in driveway momitors

[Bob S.]

You may want to try to get in touch with Gerald Dixon from Russell Township OH, or Bob Neinast from Pickerington, OH. Both of their telephone numbers and email addies are found at the NAC site.

Bob S.

[Naturist Mark]

Mail carriers and meter readers see interesting things. I wouldn't worry about them.

Yep, they expect to 'see things' from time to time, and if they have a problem with that, they shouldn't be in the job.

The Public indecency law in Ohio is pretty permissive. Nudity is not illegal unless it is "likely to be viewed by and affront others." Out of public sight lines on your own property is a reasonable exclusion. One could argue that in the case of serial repeat trespassing you may be at fault if you allow the lawbreakers to see you nude, but it would be a tough sell. More here.

Regarding the neighborhood children, unfortunately there is now a law in Ohio that makes everyday occurances illegal, and even most partents criminals.

It is a stupid law, but it isn't as dire as all that. I absolutely does NOT affect most parents. Only a handful. Nicole's Law does make it a felony to expose your "private parts" to a minor - even your own child in your own home - and unlike the regular indecency law does not include the elements of prurient interest or "likely to offend". However, it only applies if the person have been previous convicted of indecent exposure. The really stupid part is that that conviction could have occurred in any jurisdiction under any variation of Indecent Exposure law - so don't get caught exposing your ankles in Saudi Arabia, or skinny dipping in Michigan, or urinating behind a bush in Georgia, or wearing a Speedo in Arkansas.

Of concern to nudists is that it is very easy for a nudist to be convicted of a BS public indecency offense that has absolutely nothing to do with sex, yet end up on a sex offender registry, and in Ohio subject to laws that make forgetting to pull up your zipper a felony.

-Mark

[OZJames]

Nudebushwalker -

you would have a certain responsibility towards their 'safety' and 'welfare', [as in not deliberately setting man-traps, nor intentionally shooting, trapping, or poisoning them,

Nudebushwalker, you have just ruined my forthcoming hunting weekend

JAMES

[feedman]

I usally put a vehicle across the driveway so people can not suddingly drive up and I have a driveway alarm so they will set that off when they walk past Just to be sure I have some shorts hidden in different spots around my five acres so I can grab a pair of those if needed

[RalphVa]

I've 8.5 acres with the house down a straight driveway, but with a hump in it about 2/3 way in. House is in the front part of the acreage because it slopes sharply down to the creek in back. I've often had delivery people (UPS twice) and the mail lady (twice) bring stuff to the house with me nude in the vicinity. They don't mind.

I even had a sheriff's deputy deliver a summons to my wife at the house while I was in front of the carriage house (immediately at the end of the driveway, over that hump) with just a shirt on.

Here's a summary of the state laws someone did:

All public nudity is prohibited:
ID, NM, OK, AR, TN, NC, IN, MI, NY

Public nudity is prohibited if it is likely to cause affront or alarm:
AK, HI, WA, UT, AZ, CO, TX, SD, IA, MO, AL, KY, OH, WV, PA, DE, RI, NH, ME

Public nudity is prohibited if it is lewd and/or its intent is sexual:
OR, CA, NV, MT, WY, ND, NE, KS, MN, WI, IL, LA, MS, FL, GA, SC, VA, NJ, CT

Indecent exposure is prohibited, but not defined by law:
MD, MA, VT

Nudity is only illegal in OH if it's likely to cause an afford. Think this would be in a public place or on a known clothed beach.

I've a sign on my mailbox that reads "Bare Trail Run". If I want more privacy I'd put in one of those remote "mule gates" that you can buy at Tractor Supply. They work off battery from a solar panel and just need basically a strong post at one side and a box or something to put the battery and mechanism into.

[usuallylurk]

Originally posted by RalphVa:
Nudity is only illegal in OH if it's likely to cause an afford. Think this would be in a public place or on a known clothed beach.

Nudity to "cause an affront" -- this is basically being or becoming nude to shock others.

Instances -

- the classic "raincoat flasher"

- answering the front door while nude to intentionally or semi-intentionally shock people (opening the door while nude and it's some kids selling raffle tickets or girl scout cookies; also doing it to the Jehovan's Witnesses, etc.) And forget the protection of a posted warning.

- there are other examples, ask your attorney.

[nimrod]

I would not worry to much about it, I would be outside as much as possible in the same situation. If anyone had a problem seeing me nude on my own property that was not seen directly from the street, or nearby houses would be their problem.