Off-Interstate Logo Boards
- What are they?
- How long does it take to get logo signs?
- What does it cost to have Off-Interstate logo signs?
- How many sign panels are allowed per intersection, and how many logos can be placed on those panels?
- If there is no sign panel at the requested intersection, how can one be installed there?
- How many 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 advertisign 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?
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. Off-Interstate sign panels 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 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.
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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 sign panels are allowed per intersection and how many logos can be placed on those panels?
A maximum of 4 sign panels are allowed per intersection, per direction. A maximum of six logo plaques is possible per sign panel.
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5. If there is no logo sign panel at the requested intersection, how can one be installed there?
A sign panel can be installed at any intersection as long as it meets highway sign spacing requirements.
Sign panels cannot be placed in an area that is urban in nature - therefore businesses located in a "downtown" area cannot qualify because of 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.
Places 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 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 different intersections on the same road in the same direction. 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 logo installation consists of two signs in each direction at locations along the highway near the facility. First, a logo sign in advance of the intersection is placed approximately 1/4 mile prior to the intersection. This sign, referred to as an “advance” logo panel, 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” logo panel, 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 approaching the 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 signs. [back to questions]
10. 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 plaque to a specified sign crew who performs the installations. [back to questions]
11. 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 the program as long as they are willing to provide the required materials necessary to 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
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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. [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 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 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. [back to questions]
16. Can private clubs have logo signs?
No. Only facilities open to the general public are allowed signing. [back to questions] |
