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    ​Businesses and Outdoor Advertising

    When it comes to outdoor advertising, one aspect business owners should be aware of is the difference between what are classified as "on-premise" signs and what are classified as "off-premise" signs.

    "On-premise" signs are on the same property as the activity being advertised, are within 100 feet of the advertised activity, and are on the same side of the road as the activity. If any of the three conditions are not fulfilled, the sign is considered "off-premise." The graphic below provides a visual of the distinction. Off-premise signs require a PennDOT permit and must meet certain requirements along highways that are designated as controlled routes (indicated here). On-premise signs only require a permit if they are located along an interstate highway.

    For more guidance about outdoor signage, please review the dropdowns below. 

    In the image above, the structure on the left is off-premise, as the "Bakery Just Ahead" advertisement is more than 100 feet from the bakery, and the "Auto Insurance" advertisement also refers to an activity outside of the area. The "Bakery Open" sign on the right is on-premise, because it is on the premises of the activity it advertises (indicated by the dashed line extending 100 feet from the bakery building in each direction).

    ​To maintain the safety of the roadway and to uphold State and Federal regulations, PennDOT removes illegal encroachments from the highway right-of-way. Right-of-way is the real property rights obtained for a transportation-related facility or project funded under Title 23 of the United States Code. The land area must be kept clear of signage except for official traffic control devices and other approved devices. As a courtesy, when possible, removed signs are typically kept at the PennDOT County Maintenance Office for a period of 30 days before they are disposed of to allow the owner a chance to reclaim them. If your sign has disappeared, you can contact your PennDOT District at the information linked on the right side of this page to see if the Department has a record of its removal. 

    ​Placement of temporary signs, including garage sale, political, real estate, and fair/carnival signs, is often illegal within State highway right-of-way or on utility poles or traffic control devices and their supports. These advertisements should be placed on private property instead. If the object is a sign or banner for a temporary event, it may be allowed in the right-of-way if the municipality passes a resolution accepting all responsibility for the sign and the resolution is approved by PennDOT. Publication 46 and the Guidebook for County and Municipal Officials contain the full details of the requirements for a municipal resolution.

    ​An on-premise sign only requires a PennDOT permit if it is erected along an interstate highway. An application can be submitted to the Highway Beautification Management System (HBMS) or by mailing a completed RW-744 form to the District Outdoor Advertising Control (OAC) Manager contact provided on the right side of this page. On-premise signs that do not need a permit must still meet the size and content requirements of the regulations if they are on a controlled route.

    All off-premise devices require a PennDOT permit, which can be obtained through HBMS or by mailing a completed RW-745 form to the District OAC Manager (see the RW-745I also for instructions). These permits include an annual fee based on the sign area and number of faces. Additional guidance for the application process may be found in the Outdoor Advertising Control Outreach Guide. 

    ​The Logo Program is a traveler information service through which logo signs are installed along Pennsylvania's Interstate Highway system and many non-interstate freeways. The signs identify businesses that are accessible at upcoming exits and provides a series of trailblazing signs at turns to help travelers reach them. Information for applying for the program is available at palogo.org or by contacting the PA Tourism Signing Trust at info@palogo.org or 877-272-1332.


    Business Logo Sign example Main Page - Logo Sign Example

    ​Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) are blue or brown with white text and indicate the name of a business with directional guidance to its location. Like the logo signs, a TODS is considered an official traffic control device and is maintained by the PA Tourism Signing Trust. The municipality and PennDOT both must also approve the sign.

    Except for arenas, colleges/universities, campgrounds, cultural centers, fairgrounds, farm markets, military bases, religious sites, roadside farm markets, and schools, a participating business must maintain regular hours and be open to the public at least six days each week for at least 30 days in a calendar year. Additionally, farm markets and roadside farm markets must maintain regular hours and be open to the public at least two days each week during the normal business season. See the TODS Policy section of Publication 46 for the full details and other requirements.

    Information for applying for the program is available at palogo.org or by contacting the PA Tourism Signing Trust at info@palogo.org or 877-272-1332.