Please ensure that you follow local and state guidelines for signage! I have listed each state below. Clicking these links will take you to a page that breaks out the states by city. By clicking on your chosen city, you will be presented with that cities codes. Locate the sign ordinance and ensure that you are within the regulations.
Step 1 - Understand the importance of sign ordinances to community beautification efforts. Local conservation groups and community-improvement organizations try to limit the size of signs, preventing them from becoming a distractive nuisance.
Step 2 - Speak with your city council about regulations restricting the use of signs attached to your buildings. Each community has ordinances that regulate the size, placement and content of signs that may be unique from other communities. In order to obey local laws, you should approach the city council with any unusual signage requests.
Step 3 - Consult with your state's highway department about billboards and logos placed on highway exit signs. While private property owners can place any advertisement they want on a billboard, most highway departments help regulate the size of billboards to avoid distractions to drivers. Highway department officials can also help you re-size your logo to meet exit-sign standards and promote your business effectively.
Step 4 - Make sure you obey signage ordinances that regulate the placement of private signs adjacent to public signs. Your signs cannot block those indicating street names, speed limits and traffic warnings because of public safety concerns.
Step 5 - Avoid violation of city laws that govern the color and design of business signs. While some communities allow business owners freedom to choose their design aesthetics, most cities prohibit bright colors or flashing lights to avoid traffic issues. Likewise, city councils will often prevent business owners from creating signage that is lewd or inappropriate for children.
Step 6 - Learn about the National Scenic Byways Program. Featured on
Byways.org, it is devoted to protecting highways and waterways from over development, including excessive signage.
State Ordinances:TexasWashingtonOregon CaliforniaIdahoNevadaArizonaUtahWyomingMontanaColoradoNew MexicoOklahomaKansas Nebraska S DakotaN DakotaMinnesotaIowa MissouriArkansasLouisianaWisconsinIllinois TennesseeMississippiIndianaAlabama KentuckyMichiganOhioWest VirginiaVirginiaN CarolinaS CarolinaGeorgiaFloridaPennsylvaniaMaryland Delaware New JerseyConnecticutNew YorkMassachusettsRhode IslandVermont New HampshireMaine HawaiiAlaska If you have information pertaining to any of these ordinances (changes that are not listed, etc.), please
email me or post them in a comment below!
Thanks!
Gwynn~
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