Interstate Logo Boards FAQ
- What are they?
- How long does it take to get logo
signs?
- What does it cost to have Interstate logo signs?
- How many sign panels are allowed per interchange, and how many logos can be placed on those panels?
- If there is no sign panel at the requested interchange, how can one be installed there?
- How many logo plaques can a facility have per direction?
- How far away from the interchange
can a business be and still qualify?
- How can motorists find my facility
if it is not visible from the exit ramp?
- How are logo plaques made?
- What does it cost to have a logo plaque made?
- How much advertising can be put on a logo plaque?
- Can a Food facility located within a Gas facility qualify for Food signing?
- What if the logo plaque gets damaged, or the design needs changing?
- Can a business purchase a facility holding logo space, and get the existing place on the board?
- Can private clubs have logo signs?
- How does a facility qualify for Tourist Attraction logo signs?
1. What are they?
Logo signs are seen as alternatives to billboard advertising by many businesses, but in fact they are classified as traffic control devices, and must meet all regulations set by the Federal Highway Administration and State sign standards.
Many confuse these signs with advertising, but as you can see, they are not. They must fall within the restricted requirements of Federal and State sign regulations, or the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) can lose a percentage of its Federal funding.
Logo signs consist of a blue sign panel, sometimes called the back board, with individual business logo plaques mounted on the panel. Interstate sign panels have legends, or titles, for 5 different types of services: Gas, Food, Lodging, Camping, and Attractions. [back
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2. How long does it take to get logo signs?
It all depends on the variables involved. In addition to our criteria and roadway review process, new sign installations require an ODOT engineering review. Our goal is to turnaround sign applications within 30 days. ODOT is allowed another 30 days on reviews which are forwarded to them. Once approved, the timetable adjusts based on the customer’s response time to our contract and sign specification mailings. Timely receipt of the logo plaques from the customer’s sign manufacturer also impacts the installation date. [back
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3. What does it cost to have Interstate logo signs?
Annual permit fees are based on the highway traffic volume and area population where the facility is located. See the Interstate logo rates page for more information. [back to questions]
4. How many sign panels are allowed per interchange, and how many logos can be placed on those panels?
A maximum of 4 sign panels are allowed per interchange, per direction. A maximum of 6 logo plaques is possible per sign panel. [back
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5. If there is no sign panel at the requested interchange,
how can one be installed there?
A sign panel can be installed at any interchange as long as it meets highway sign spacing requirements. Federal regulations stipulate a need for 800 feet distance between signs.
No sign panels are allowed at interchanges leading
motorists to another freeway or expressway.
No sign panels are allowed at interchanges where a motorist
cannot conveniently exit, and then re-enter the highway and continue
in the same direction. [back to questions]
6. How many logo plaques can a facility have per direction?
Logo plaques are limited to one sign per direction for a facility. For instance, a facility cannot sign for itself at two consecutive interchanges on I-5 Northbound. Logo signs are to be placed at the interchange that is in the closest proximity to the facility itself. [back to questions]
7. How far away from the interchange can a business
be and still qualify?
If a business is a Gas, Food, Lodging or Attraction facility, it must be located within one mile of the interchange. If a business is a camping facility, it must be located within three miles of the interchange. Facilities may apply for a distance waiver in some instances. [back
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8. How can motorists find my facility if it is
not visible from the exit ramp?
Supplemental signs with mileage indicators are placed on exit ramps and are smaller versions of the Interstate logo plaques. Those signs are required to safely route motorists to the facility. [back
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9. How are logo plaques made?
Logo plaques are furnished by the customer after the application process has been completed. Once the application is approved, contracts and sign specifications are sent to the customer. A list of sign manufacturers is provided so that customers can select a sign company to work with. After a sign sketch is approved by both the customer and TIC, the sign manufacturer then sends the finished logo plaques to a specified sign crew who performs the installations. [back to questions]
10. What does it cost to have a logo plaque made?
Logo manufacturing costs are strictly between the facility and the sign manufacturer they choose. Customers are encouraged to shop for estimates based on different grades of reflective materials. TIC provides a reference list of those companies who are experienced and have asked to be referred. Any sign company is welcome in this program as long as they are willing to provide the required materials necessary and meet specifications required by the State of Oregon. TIC recommends that customers ask their sign company for a five year warranty in case of premature deterioration or loss of reflectivity. [back to questions]
11. How much advertising can be put on a logo plaque?
None. Only the facility's Registered Business Name, or a portion of that name. [back to questions]
12. Can a Food facility located within a Gas facility qualify for Food signing?
The Food facility located within the Gas facility qualifies for Food signing if they have indoor seating for at least 20 people. If seating is not available, the Gas facility may display the Food facility on their Gas logo plaque. Fees for Gas facilities that include a Food facility on their logo plaque are 1 1/3 fee for a regular Gas logo charged in that area.
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13. What if the logo plaque gets damaged or the design needs changing?
If TIC finds that the logo plaque is deteriorating and is losing its reflectivity, the facility will be required to provide a replacement. If replacements of logo plaques occur at the customer’s request due to a desire to change the color, design or name on the plaque, a fee or $75.00 per plaque will be charged to cover the costs of removing the old plaques and installing the new plaques. [back
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14. Can a business purchase a facility holding logo space and get the existing place on the board?
If the change of ownership DOES NOT RESULT in a name change, the new owners may retain the existing space. When a change of ownership RESULTS IN A NAME CHANGE on the logo plaque for a currently signed facility, the logo space is revoked and is offered to the next facility on the waiting list, if there is a waiting list. This policy was set by a group of business people who recommended that the Travel Information Council adopt the policy statewide. If there is no waiting list, the new owner is required to repeat the application process in order to retain the space on the board.
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15. Can private clubs have logo signs?
No. Only facilities open to the general public are allowed signing.
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16. How does a facility qualify for Tourist Attraction logo signs?
A Tourist Attraction is a facility of regional significance that provides a cultural, historical, recreational, or educational activity, or a unique or unusual commercial activity or non-profit activity. A Tourist Attraction facility must prove that a majority of its income is derived from visitors residing farther than 50 miles from the location of the facility being signed. To further define these categories:
Cultural means a facility reflecting the customs, products and arts of the region where the facility is signed. Such facilities may include, but are not limited to science/nature, wineries and art.
Historical means a facility reflecting the past events of the region where the facility is signed. Such facilities or areas may include, but are not limited to historical museums, historic sites, or historical tours.
Recreational means a facility offering a form of leisure, amusement or relaxation. Such facilities may include, but are not limited to amusement parks, golf courses, jet boats, scenic cruises or rides.
Educational means a facility that provides enhanced knowledge of an industry, culture, historical or other genre that is unique to the region where the facility is being signed.
Visitor Center means a facility designated by the local community to offer tourism literature (maps, brochures, and guidebooks) to visitors as their primary business
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