(a) Specific information logo signs.
(1) Design. A specific information logo sign assembly shall: (A) have a blue background with a white reflective border; (B) contain a principal legend equal in height to the directional legend; (C) meet the applicable provisions of the Texas MUTCD; (D) have background material that conforms with department specifications for reflective sheeting; (E) be fabricated, erected, and maintained in conformance with department specifications and fabrication details; (F) provide vertical spacing and horizontal spacing for a balanced appearance of business logos.
(2) Content. A specific information logo sign shall contain: (A) word legends for the following services: GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, or "24 HOUR Rx"; (B) the exit number or, if exit numbers are not applicable, "NEXT RIGHT"; (C) no more than six business logos on one logo sign assembly; and (D) no more than three types of services on a sign assembly.
(3) Placement. Subject to approval of the department, a specific information logo sign shall be installed or placed: (A) to conform to the following order of placement along the direction of travel: PHARMACY, CAMPING, LODGING, FOOD, GAS; (B) according to the following priorities where available space is limited: GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, and PHARMACY; (C) to take advantage of natural terrain; (D) to have the least impact on the scenic environment; (E) to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway right-of-way; (F) with a lateral offset equal to or greater than existing guide signs; (G) at least 800 feet from the previous interchange and at least 800 feet from the exit direction sign at the interchange from which the services are available; (H) without blocking motorists' visibility of existing traffic control and guide signs; (I) in locations that are not overhead; (J) where a motorist, after following the sign(s), can conveniently re-enter the highway and continue in the original direction of travel; and (K) at least 800 feet between two large guide signs, but not excessively spaced.
(4) Existing signs. Existing regulatory, warning, destination, guide, recreation, and cultural interest signs will not be removed; provided, however, that subject to the written approval of the department, such existing signs may be relocated by special permission of the department at the sole expense and responsibility of the contractor and only to the extent necessary to accommodate logo signs.
(b) Business logos.
(1) Design. A business logo: (A) may not exceed 48 inches in width or 36 inches in height; (B) may be any color or combination of colors; and (C) may only be fabricated, erected, and maintained in conformance with current department specifications for aluminum signs and reflective sheeting.
(2) Content. A business logo may: (A) consist of a registered trademark or a legend message identifying the name or abbreviation of the commercial establishment; (B) contain supplemental information that is determined by the department to be essential motorist information, such as "24 HOURS," "DIESEL," "CNG," or "LNG"; (C) contain a message, symbol, or trademark only if the message, symbol, or trademark does not resemble an official traffic control device; (D) contain text, symbols, or advertising only if the text, symbols, or advertising are related to the primary service of the specific information logo sign; and (E) contain an "RV Access" supplemental information or symbol indicating the business has facilities that accommodate the on-site movement and parking of recreational vehicles. The facility must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible to receive the RV Access supplemental information: (i) roadway access and egress must be hard surface, free of potholes, and at least 12 feet wide with a minimum swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the facility; (ii) roadway access, egress, and parking facilities must be free of any electrical wires, tree branches, or other obstructions up to 14 feet above the surface; (iii) facilities requiring short-term parking, such as restaurants or tourist attractions, must have 2 or more spaces that are 12 feet wide and 65 feet long with a swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the spaces; (iv) fueling facilities with canopies must have a 14-foot clearance, and those selling diesel fuel must have pumps with non-commercial nozzles; (v) fueling facilities must allow for a pull-through with a swing radius of 50 feet; (vi) a campground must have 2 or more spaces that are 18 feet wide and 45 feet long; and (vii) the commercial establishment must post on its site directional signing, as needed, to those RV access parking spaces and other on-site RV access services, so that the motorist is given additional guidance upon leaving the public highway and entering the business establishment's property.
(c) Ramp signs.
(1) Design. A ramp sign shall: (A) meet the applicable provisions of the Texas MUTCD; (B) have a blue background with a white reflective border; (C) conform with the latest department specifications for reflective sheeting for the background material of the sign; and (D) be fabricated, erected, and maintained in conformance with the current department specifications for aluminum signs and roadside signs.
(2) Placement. Subject to approval by the department, a ramp sign may be placed along an exit ramp or access road, or at an intersection of an access road and crossroad when a commercial establishment's building or on-premise signing is not visible from that exit ramp, access road, or intersection.
(3) Content. A ramp business logo shall: (A) be no larger than 24 inches in width and 18 inches in height; (B) contain directional arrows and distances; and (C) be a duplicate of the business logo erected on a specific information logo sign.
(d) Major shopping area guide signs.
(1) Design. A major shopping area sign shall: (A) have a blue background with a white reflective legend and border; (B) meet the applicable provisions of the Texas MUTCD; (C) have background, legend, and border material that conforms to department specifications for reflective sheeting; (D) not be illuminated externally or internally; and (E) be fabricated, erected, and maintained in conformance with department specifications and fabrication details.
(2) Content. A major shopping area guide sign shall: (A) contain the name of the major shopping area as it is commonly known to the public; and (B) contain the exit number or, if exit numbers are not applicable, other directional information.
(3) Placement. Subject to approval of the department, a major shopping area guide sign shall be installed or placed: (A) so that it is independently mounted; (B) to take advantage of natural terrain; (C) to have the least impact on the scenic environment; (D) to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway right-of-way; (E) with a lateral offset equal to or greater than existing guide signs; (F) for both directions of travel on the eligible urban highway; (G) without blocking motorists' visibility of existing traffic control and guide signs; and (H) in locations that do not include overhead installation.
(4) Existing signs. Existing regulatory, warning, destination, guide, recreation, and cultural interest signs will not be removed; provided, however, that subject to the written approval of the department, such existing signs may be relocated by special permission of the department at the sole expense and responsibility of the contractor and only to the extent necessary to accommodate major shopping area guide signs.
(e) Major shopping area ramp signs.
(1) Design. A major shopping area ramp sign shall: (A) have a blue background with a white reflective legend and border; (B) meet the applicable provisions of the Texas MUTCD; (C) have background, legend, and border material that conforms to department specifications for reflective sheeting; (D) be fabricated, erected, and maintained in conformance with department specifications and fabrication details; and (E) not be illuminated internally or externally.
(2) Content. A ramp sign shall contain: (A) the name of the major shopping area as it is commonly known to the public; and (B) directional arrows and distances.
(3) Placement. Subject to approval of the department, the major shopping area ramp sign(s) may be placed along an exit ramp or access road, or at an intersection of an access road and crossroad if the major shopping area driveway access, buildings, or parking areas are not visible from that exit ramp, access road, or intersection.
(f) The department reserves the right of final approval of the content and placement of all signs and logos in this subchapter.
Source Note: The provisions of this §25.404 adopted to be effective November 17, 2005, 30 TexReg 7497; amended to be effective January 7, 2015, 40 TexReg 102