Oregon Travel Experience Off-Interstate sign fees are determined by location of the signs:
For all primary and secondary routes (non-interstate) west of the Cascades Mountains; Hwy 39 and Hwy 140, Klamath Falls; Hwy 97, Redmond-Sunriver (except for Bend Expressway); Hwy 372, Mt. Bachelor; Hwy 20, Sisters-Bend; Hwy 126, Sisters-Redmond; Hwy 35, Mt. Hood-Hood River; Hwy 58, Goshen-Oakridge; Hwy 138, Roseburg-Milepoint 30
For all primary and secondary routes (non-interstate) in central and southern Oregon (except Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, Klamath Falls, Sisters)
For all primary and secondary routes (non-interstate) in northeastern and southeastern Oregon; Hwy 62, Mile-point 21-Mile-point 103
Advance Sign: The first or primary sign installed in any given direction of travel, is known as the advance sign. This blue sign is usually ¼ mile from the intersection. It has a directional designation, (e.g. “next left”), a service designation, (e.g. gas, food, lodging, or camping), and a business logo plaque. On the billing invoice, these signs are referred to as “ADV”.
Intersection Sign: The secondary business sign installed in any given direction of travel is known as the intersection sign. If a business is not visible from where motorists exit the highway, the business may need to apply for an intersection sign. This blue sign typically includes a directional arrow, a service designation, (e.g. gas, food, lodging, or camping), and a business logo plaque. When necessary, mileage is also indicated below the plaque. On the billing invoice, these signs are referred to as “INT”.
The placement of advance and intersection signs is determined by an engineering highway study.
Where navigation is difficult, multiple intersection signs may be necessary.
If more than one business requests a sign at the same intersection, multiple plaques may be installed on the same advance or intersection signs.
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 State of Oregon sign standards.
Many confuse these signs with advertising, however, off-interstate signs 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, where individual business logo plaques are mounted on the panel. Off-interstate signs have legends or titles noting four types of services: gas, food, lodging and camping.
How long does it take to get off-interstate logo signs?
It depends on the following: in addition to OTE’s criteria and roadway review process, new sign installations require an ODOT engineering review. Our goal is to process sign applications within 30 days. ODOT is allowed another 40 days to review applications after receiving them from OTE. Once approved by both agencies, the timetable is based on a customer’s response time to OTE’s contract, as well as following plaque manufacturing specifications. Timely receipt of logo plaques from the customer’s plaque manufacturer also impacts the installation date.
What does it cost to have off-interstate logo signs?
Annual permit fees are based on the highway traffic volume and city or regional population where the facility is located.
How many off-interstate logo signs are allowed per intersection and how many logos plaques can be placed on those signs?
A maximum of four off-interstate logo signs may be allowed per intersection, per direction. A maximum of six logo plaques may be possible per logo sign.
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 number of 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.
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.
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.
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 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 sign, is required and provides motorists with the information needed to allow them adequate time to slow down and safely exit 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.
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 visibility within that 300 foot area, the business may qualify for off-interstate logo signs.
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 Oregon Travel Experience, the sign manufacturer sends the finished logo plaques to a specified sign crew who then performs the installation.
What does it cost to have a logo plaque made?
Logo plaque-manufacturing costs are strictly between the business and sign manufacturer of their choice. Customers are encouraged to shop for estimates based on different grades of reflective materials. Oregon Travel Experience provides a reference list of companies who are experienced and have asked to be referred. Any sign company is welcome to participate 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. OTE recommends that customers ask their sign company for a five year warranty in case of premature deterioration or loss of reflectivity.
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.
Can a food business located inside a fueling station qualify for a separate logo plaque?
A food business located within a gas station qualifies for a food sign if the food-vendor provides indoor seating for at least 20 people. If seating is not available, the gas station may display the food business on their gas station logo-plaque. Please contact us for questions about logo-plaques displaying more than one vendor.
What if the logo plaque sustains damage or the design needs changing?
If Oregon Travel Experience determines an off-interstate logo plaque is deteriorating or suffering reflectivity loss, the business will be required to provide a replacement. If a customer requests that a new logo-plaque be installed due to a brand change (involving 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 new ones.
Can I retain the existing place on an off-interstate logo sign if I am the new owner of an already listed business?
If the change of ownership does not result in a name change, the new owners may retain the existing space on the sign. When a change of ownership results in a name change, the logo space is revoked and is offered to the next business on Oregon Travel Experience’s Signs Program wait-list. This policy was enacted by business coalitions who recommended that OTE adopt the policy statewide. If there is no wait-list, the new owner is required to complete a new application in order to retain space on the off-interstate logo sign.
Can private clubs have logo signs?
No. Only businesses open to the general public are allowed signing.
Application for Off-Interstate Sign program (PDF)
For questions not included in the FAQ’s, please contact our friendly Oregon Travel Experience Signs Program employees or phone 1-800-574-9397.