If you’re searching “restraining order how many feet,” there is no single distance that applies to every restraining order.
A court can specify a particular stay-away distance, and that distance depends on the jurisdiction, type of protective order, facts of the case, and wording of the order. Some orders may require a person to stay 100 yards away, which equals 300 feet, while other orders can specify a different distance.
The most important rule is to follow the exact distance and restrictions written in the actual court order.
Quick Answer
A restraining order does not automatically mean one fixed number of feet everywhere.
| Distance | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 50 feet | 16.67 yards |
| 100 feet | 33.33 yards |
| 200 feet | 66.67 yards |
| 300 feet | 100 yards |
| 500 feet | 166.67 yards |
| 1,000 feet | 333.33 yards |
| 1,500 feet | 500 yards |
For example, California’s domestic-violence restraining-order paperwork includes 100 yards (300 feet) as a stay-away option, while allowing another distance to be specified.
How Many Feet Does a Restraining Order Require?
The answer depends on the particular court order.
A restraining order can include a stay-away provision requiring the restrained person to remain a specified distance from a protected person or certain locations.
Those locations can include:
- The protected person’s home
- Workplace
- School
- Vehicle
- Child-care location
- Other specified places
California court guidance, for example, explains that stay-away orders can require a person to maintain a specified distance from protected people or places.
Therefore, you should not assume that every restraining order requires the same number of feet.
Is a Restraining Order Usually 100 or 300 Feet?
A 300-foot distance is one example used in court paperwork, but it is not a universal rule.
In California’s domestic violence restraining-order request form, the standard stay-away option is 100 yards (300 feet), with the ability to request another distance.
Other jurisdictions can use different distances.
For example, legal information for Montana describes protection orders that can require someone to stay 1,500 feet away from specified people or places in certain circumstances.
This illustrates why it is important to identify the state or country and read the actual order.
100 Yards Is How Many Feet?
If your restraining order says 100 yards, you can convert it to feet using:
1 yard = 3 feet
Therefore:
100 × 3 = 300 feet
So:
100 yards = 300 feet
| Yards | Feet |
|---|---|
| 25 yards | 75 feet |
| 50 yards | 150 feet |
| 75 yards | 225 feet |
| 100 yards | 300 feet |
| 200 yards | 600 feet |
| 500 yards | 1,500 feet |
This conversion can help you understand the distance if your court paperwork gives the restriction in yards instead of feet.
What Does a 300-Foot Restraining Order Mean?
If an order specifically says that the restrained person must stay 300 feet away, the person generally needs to maintain at least that specified distance from the protected person or locations identified in the order.
However, the exact meaning depends on the wording of the order.
For example, an order might specify that the restrained person must stay away from:
- The protected person
- The protected person’s residence
- Their workplace
- Their school
- Their vehicle
California court materials show that stay-away orders can identify multiple protected people and locations.
The order may also contain separate no-contact requirements, which are different from the physical-distance requirement.
Does a Restraining Order Mean No Contact?
Not necessarily in every case, but restraining orders can include no-contact provisions in addition to stay-away requirements.
A court can order a person not to contact someone by:
- Phone
- Text message
- Social media
- Third parties
General legal guidance notes that protective orders can include both stay-away and no-contact provisions.
Therefore, a person should not assume that staying more than the required number of feet away automatically permits communication.
If the order says no contact, that restriction needs to be followed separately.
Does the Distance Apply to the Protected Person Too?
A stay-away order generally places the restriction on the restrained person, not on the protected person.
However, the precise wording matters.
For example, if an order says the restrained person must stay 300 feet away from a protected person’s home, workplace, or school, those locations may be covered even if the protected person is not physically present.
Court forms can specifically identify people and locations that are covered by a stay-away order.
Because individual orders differ, the actual document should be checked carefully.
What Places Can a Restraining Order Cover?
A stay-away order can potentially cover several locations.
| Location | Can It Be Included? |
|---|---|
| Protected person’s home | Yes |
| Workplace | Yes |
| School | Yes |
| Child-care location | Yes |
| Vehicle | Yes |
| Specific public location | Depending on the order |
| Protected person | Yes |
| Other people named in the order | Depending on the order |
For example, California court materials specifically provide options for a person’s home, workplace, vehicle, school, child care, and other locations.
What If Both People Live Near Each Other?
Living close to someone can make a stay-away order more complicated.
Courts may need to address situations where the protected and restrained people:
- Live in the same neighborhood
- Work at the same location
- Attend the same school
- Share children
- Need to exchange children
- Have another unavoidable reason to be in the same area
California judicial guidance recognizes that courts may need to create specific arrangements when the parties live, work, or attend school together.
Some orders may therefore contain exceptions or detailed instructions.
Do not assume that an accidental encounter automatically changes the requirements of the order.
What Happens If the Restrained Person Comes Within the Required Distance?
A possible violation depends on the jurisdiction and the exact language of the order.
A restraining order is a court order, and courts can enforce its restrictions. California court guidance, for example, states that once a restraining order is granted, police can be called to enforce it.
If you believe a restraining order has been violated, the safest approach is to:
- Read the exact order.
- Determine which provision may have been violated.
- Follow local law-enforcement or court procedures.
- If there is an immediate safety concern, contact emergency services.
- Consider speaking with a lawyer or local legal-aid organization.
The exact consequences of a violation vary by jurisdiction and the type of order.
How Far Is 300 Feet?
Understanding 300 feet can be difficult without a reference.
| Reference | Approximate Length |
|---|---|
| 100 yards | 300 feet |
| 1/2 of a 600-foot distance | 300 feet |
| 30 ten-foot sections | 300 feet |
| 100 three-foot sections | 300 feet |
| 300 one-foot sections | 300 feet |
The exact physical appearance of 300 feet depends on the surroundings.
You should not rely on visual estimation if compliance with a court order is important. Use the wording of the order and obtain legal advice if you are unsure how the distance applies to a particular situation.
How to Check the Exact Distance in Your Restraining Order
The most reliable source is the signed court order itself.
Look for language such as:
- “Stay away”
- “Stay at least ___ yards away”
- “Stay at least ___ feet away”
- “No contact”
- “Protected person”
- “Protected locations”
The distance may be written in yards rather than feet.
For example:
100 yards = 300 feet
If the document says 500 feet, it means 500 feet rather than 500 yards.
If you cannot understand the wording, contact the court that issued the order, a lawyer, or an appropriate legal-aid service rather than guessing.
Is There a Universal Restraining Order Distance?
No.
There is no single universal number of feet that applies to every restraining order in every jurisdiction.
General legal guidance explains that protective-order laws differ between jurisdictions, even though many allow courts to impose stay-away and no-contact restrictions.
The following examples show why the answer can vary:
| Example | Distance |
|---|---|
| California form’s standard stay-away option | 100 yards / 300 feet |
| California allows another distance to be specified | Varies |
| Montana example for certain protection orders | 1,500 feet |
| Universal distance | None |
These examples are not a substitute for the terms of an individual court order.
Restraining Order Distance vs. No-Contact Order
A stay-away requirement and a no-contact requirement are related but different.
| Restriction | Basic Meaning |
|---|---|
| Stay-away | Requires physical distance from specified people or places |
| No-contact | Prohibits specified forms of communication or contact |
| Both | The order may prohibit communication and require physical distance |
For example, a person might be prohibited from contacting the protected person by text while also being required to remain a specified number of feet away.
Therefore, complying with one restriction does not necessarily mean the other restriction no longer applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many feet is a typical restraining order?
There is no universal distance. Some court orders use 300 feet, while others specify different distances depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.
Is a 100-yard restraining order 300 feet?
Yes. 100 yards equals 300 feet because one yard equals three feet.
Can a restraining order be more than 300 feet?
Yes. The required distance can be different depending on the jurisdiction and the specific court order. For example, some protection orders can specify distances such as 1,500 feet.
Does a restraining order always include a distance?
No. A restraining order may include different types of restrictions, including no-contact, stay-away, move-out, or other provisions.
Does “stay away” mean no contact?
Not necessarily. A stay-away provision concerns physical distance, while a no-contact provision can separately prohibit communication. An order can contain both.
How can I find out how many feet my restraining order requires?
Read the actual signed order and look for the stay-away distance. If the wording is unclear, ask the issuing court, a lawyer, or a qualified legal-aid service for clarification.
What should I do if someone violates a restraining order?
If there is an immediate danger, contact emergency services. Otherwise, follow the reporting and enforcement procedures applicable in your jurisdiction and consider obtaining legal advice.
Conclusion
So, how many feet does a restraining order require someone to stay away? There is no single answer that applies everywhere.
A court may specify 300 feet (100 yards), but another order may require a different distance. The restriction can also apply to specific places such as a home, workplace, school, or vehicle.
The most important thing is to follow the exact wording of the restraining or protective order. Do not rely on a general number found online when determining whether a particular situation complies with a court order.
