Off-Interstate Logo Signs FAQ
- What are they?
- How long does it take to get Off-Interstate Logo signs?
- What does it cost to have Off-Interstate Logo signs?
- How many Off-Interstate Logo signs are allowed per intersection, and how many logo plaques can be placed on those signs?
- If there is no Off-Interstate Logo sign at the requested intersection, how can one be installed there?
- How many Off-Interstate Logo plaques can a facility have per direction?
- How far away from the highway can a facility be and still qualify?
- How can motorists find my facility if it is not visible at the highway intersection?
- What if a motorist can see my facility, but I simply want a sign to let them know I'm up ahead?
- 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 retain the existing place on the Off-Interstate Logo sign?
- Can private clubs have logo signs?
1. What are they?
Off-Interstate 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 Oregon 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) could lose a percentage of its Federal funding.
Off-Interstate Logo signs consist of a blue sign panel, sometimes called the backboard, with individual business logo plaques mounted on the panel. Off-Interstate signs have legends, or titles, for 4 different types of services: Gas, Food, Lodging and Camping. [back to questions]
2. How long does it take to get Off-Interstate Logo signs?
It all depends on the variables involved. In addition to TIC’s 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 40 days on reviews after they are forwarded to them. Once approved, the timetable adjusts based on the customer’s response time to our contract and plaque manufacturing specifications. Timely receipt of the logo plaques from the customer’s plaque manufacturer also impacts the installation date. [back to questions]
3. What does it cost to have Off-Interstate logo signs?
Annual permit fees are based on the highway traffic volume and area population where the facility is located. See the Off-Interstate Logo rates page for more information. [back
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4. How many Off-Interstate Logo signs are allowed per intersection and how many logos plaques can be placed on those signs?
A maximum of 4 Off-Interstate Logo signs may be allowed per intersection, per direction. A maximum of six logo plaques may be possible per Logo sign.
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5. If there is no Off-Interstate Logo sign at the requested intersection, can one be installed there?
An Off-Interstate Logo sign may be installed at any intersection as long as it meets highway sign spacing requirements.
Off-Interstate Logo Signs cannot be installed in an area that is urban in nature - therefore businesses located in a "downtown" area will not qualify due to the urban congestion that eliminates room for more signing. Some cities have been determined as too congested for additional signing due to the on-premise and highway signs already installed.
Cities with "no Logo zone" areas include: Bandon, Coos Bay, Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Seaside, Astoria, McMinnville, Dundee, Newberg and Sherwood. [back to questions]
6. How many Off-Interstate Logo plaques can a facility have per direction?
Off-Interstate Logo plaques are limited to one plaque per direction for a facility. For instance, a facility cannot have Off-Interstate Logo signs at two different intersections on the same road in the same direction. Off-Interstate Logo signs are to be placed at the intersection that is in the closest proximity to the facility itself. [back
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7. How far away from the highway can a facility be and still qualify?
If a business is a Gas, Food or Lodging facility, it must be located within one mile of the intersection of the sign request. If a business is a Camping facility, it must be located within three miles of the intersection. 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 at the highway intersection?
A typical Off-Interstate Logo installation consists of two signs in each direction along the highway near the facility. First, a Llogo sign in advance of the intersection is placed approximately 1/4 mile prior to the intersection. This sign, referred to as an “advance” Logo sign, is required and provides motorists with the information needed to allow them adequate time to slow down and begin a safe turning movement off the highway. A second Logo sign, called an “intersection” sign, is placed near the intersection and provides additional guidance to the motorists by using a directional turn arrow and the distance to the facility. [back to questions]
9. What if a motorist can see my facility, but I simply want a sign to let them know I'm up ahead?
To qualify for Off-Interstate Logo signs, a facility must not be visible or recognizable to the motorist within 300 feet of the approaching intersection or access to the facility. If there are road conditions (brush, trees, etc) that hinder the visibility within that 300 foot area, the business may qualify for Off-Interstate Logo signs. [back to questions]
10. How are logo plaques made?
Off-Interstate Logo plaques are furnished by the customer after the application process has been completed. Once the application is approved, contracts plaque manufacturing specifications and a list of approved sign manufacturers are sent to the customer. 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 which performs the installations. [back to questions]
11. What does it cost to have a logo plaque made?
Logo plaque manufacturing costs are strictly between the facility and their sign manufacturer. 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 utilize reflective materials and meet the plaque manufacturing 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
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12. How much advertising can be put on a logo plaque?
None. Only the facility’s Registered Business Name, or a portion of that name, is allowed by Federal standards. [back
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13. 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. [back to questions]
14. What if the logo plaque gets damaged or the design needs changing?
If TIC finds that the Off-Interstate 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 of $75.00 per plaque will be charged to cover the costs of removing the old plaques and installing the new plaques. [back to questions]
15. Can a business purchase a facility holding logo space and retain the existing place on the Off-Interstate Logo sign?
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 to the logo plaque for a currently signed facility, the Logo space is revoked and is offered to the next facility on the Wait List. This policy was set by a group of business people who recommended that TIC adopt the policy statewide. If there is no Wait List, the new owner is required to repeat the application process in order to retain the space on the Off-Interstate Logo sign. [back to questions]
16. Can private clubs have logo signs?
No. Only facilities open to the general public are allowed signing.
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