No trespassing signs can be useful to property owners—especially on large tracts of land or land that is not developed—to put persons entering the property on notice that the property is private property and if they do not have permission to enter, they may be committing civil and criminal offenses related to trespassing. In some states notice is required for a trespasser to have civil or criminal liability for entering the property without permission.

No trespassing signs may also protect a landowner against liability to a trespasser, as a lower duty of care is owed to trespassers in some states, and putting a person entering the property on notice that they are trespassing may strengthen the property owner’s defense against any liability claims if the trespasser is injured on the property.

In Arkansas, property owners can use 'no trespassing' signs to deter unauthorized entry and limit liability. Under Arkansas Code § 5-39-203, a person commits criminal trespass if they knowingly enter or remain unlawfully on another's property, especially after being warned by a notice posted on the property. The signs must be placed at reasonable intervals and be clearly visible. These signs serve as a legal notice that entry without permission is not allowed, which is necessary for establishing trespassing violations. Additionally, Arkansas follows the common law tradition where landowners owe a lower duty of care to trespassers compared to invitees or licensees. By posting 'no trespassing' signs, landowners may reduce their liability if a trespasser is injured on their property, as the signs can demonstrate that the trespasser assumed the risk by entering the property without permission.