Chapter 468-70 WAC
Last Update: 5/27/10MOTORIST INFORMATION SIGNS
WAC Sections
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-010 | General. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-020 | Definitions. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-030 | Location of panels and signs. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-040 | Interchange and intersection selection for motorist information sign panels. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-050 | Business eligibility. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-060 | Signing details. |
| HTMLPDF | 468-70-070 | Permits and procedure. |
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
| 468-70-080 | Fee schedule. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-080, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 87-01-054 (Order 106), § 468-70-080, filed 12/16/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-080, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.42.060. WSR 85-03-031 (Order 94), § 468-70-080, filed 1/10/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-080, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-070.] Repealed by WSR 03-20-082, filed 9/30/03, effective 10/31/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.325 and the 2002 supplemental appropriation bill. |
| 468-70-085 | Maintenance replacement of pictorial business signs manufactured by the department prior to January 1, 1987. [Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-085, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 87-01-054 (Order 106), § 468-70-085, filed 12/16/86.] Repealed by WSR 04-16-056, filed 7/29/04, effective 8/29/04. Statutory Authority: ESHB 2474, 2004 c 229 § 218 and RCW 47.36.310 and 47.36.320. |
| 468-70-990 | Appendix A—Typical signing for single exit interchange on the interstate system. [Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-990, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-900.] Repealed by WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. |
| 468-70-99001 | Appendix B—Typical signing for double exit interchange on the interstate system. [Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-99001, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-901.] Repealed by WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. |
| 468-70-99002 | Appendix C—Typical signing for single exit interchange for a freeway or expressway part of the primary or scenic system. [Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-99002, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-902.] Repealed by WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. |
| 468-70-99003 | Appendix D—Typical signing for double exit interchange and at-grade intersections for a freeway or expressway part of the primary or scenic system. [Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-99003, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-903.] Repealed by WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. |
| 468-70-99004 | Appendix E—Typical signing for at-grade intersection on a conventional highway part of the primary or scenic system. [Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-99004, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-904.] Repealed by WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. |
PDF468-70-010
General.
(1) These rules and regulations implement, and are prescribed by, chapter 47.36 RCW.
(2) The regulations provide for the installation of motorist information signs which will inform the motoring public of tourist services conveniently accessible from interstate and noninterstate highways within the state.
PDF468-70-020
Definitions.
When used in these regulations the term:
(1) "Conventional road" shall mean a noninterstate highway which is not an expressway or freeway.
(2) "Curb service" shall mean that food may be ordered from a vehicle parked in a drive-in service stall and served to a vehicle window by food service staff. At no time shall the vehicle driver or any passenger be required to leave the vehicle to order or be served food.
(3) "Department" shall mean the Washington state department of transportation.
(4) "Expressway" shall mean a divided arterial highway for through traffic with partial control of access and grade separations at most major intersections.
(5) "Fee zone" means:
(a) Fee zone 1, freeways and expressways with average daily trips greater than eighty thousand;
(b) Fee zone 2, freeways and expressways with average daily trips less than eighty thousand;
(c) Fee zone 3, conventional highways.
(6) "Freeway" shall mean an expressway with full control of access, and grade separations over the entire length of the numbered highway route.
(7) "Motorist information signs" shall mean the same as specific service signs as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the department as chapter 468-95 WAC.
(8) "Motorist service activity" shall mean a business furnishing gas, food, lodging, camping, recreation, tourist-oriented, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy services.
(9) "Owner" shall mean a person who owns or operates a motorist service activity and who has authority to enter into and be bound by agreements relevant to matters covered by these regulations.
(10) "Qualified tourist-oriented business" means any lawful cultural, historical, recreational, educational, or entertaining activity or a unique or unusual commercial or nonprofit activity, the major portion of whose income or visitors are derived during its normal business season from motorists not residing in the immediate area of the activity.
(11) "RV symbol" means a logo, for a business or destination that accommodates recreational vehicles, designed and attached to a business sign in accordance with WAC 468-70-060(4).
(12) "Supplemental directional panel" shall mean a motorist information sign panel located on, opposite, or at the terminus of an exit ramp bearing business sign for a qualified motorist service activity and directional information.
(13) "Tourist-oriented directional (TOD) sign" means a sign on a motorist information sign panel on the state highway system to provide directional information to a qualified tourist-oriented business, service, or activity.
(14) "Trade name" shall mean any brand name, trade mark, distinctive symbol or other similar device or thing used to identify a particular motorist service.
(15) "Urban area" shall mean an area including and adjacent to a municipality or other place of five thousand or more population as shown by the latest available federal census.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030 and 47.36.320. WSR 10-12-053, § 468-70-020, filed 5/27/10, effective 6/27/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-020, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: ESHB 2474, 2004 c 229 § 218 and RCW 47.36.310 and 47.36.320. WSR 04-16-056, § 468-70-020, filed 7/29/04, effective 8/29/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-020, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 86-08-023 (Order 103), § 468-70-020, filed 3/25/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-020, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-020, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-010.]
PDF468-70-030
Location of panels and signs.
(1) A maximum of four motorist information sign panels may be provided on interchange approaches and in advance of intersections. Where a qualified type of motorist service activity is not present, a panel will not be erected. Where installed, the panels will be erected as follows:
(a) For freeways and interchanges on expressways the panels shall be erected between the previous interchange and at least eight hundred feet in advance of the exit direction sign at the interchange from which the services are available. There shall be at least eight hundred feet spacing between the panels, and there will be one panel each for gas, food, lodging, camping/recreation, TOD, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy except as provided in (c) of this subsection.
(b) For conventional roads the panels shall be erected between the previous intersection and at least three hundred feet in advance of the intersection from which the services are available, signing should not be provided to any service visible at least three hundred feet along the mainline prior to the intersection or driveway approach serving the business. There will be one panel each for gas, food, lodging, camping/recreation, TOD, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy except as provided in (c) of this subsection.
(c) A combined panel may be installed where there is a limited number of qualifying motorist service activities, or insufficient space available to install the array of gas, food, lodging, camping/recreation, TOD's, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy panels as set forth in WAC 468-70-040(2). Not more than three types of motorist service activities may be combined on one mainline back panel. Each type of motorist service activity may be displayed once on a set of back panels along an interchange or intersection approach. The permissible number of business signs that may be displayed per type of motorist service activity shall be as set forth in WAC 468-70-060 (3)(a).
(2) Information for motorist information sign panels on the mainline of expressways/freeways will be repeated on the supplemental directional panels located along the interchange ramp, or at the ramp terminal, where the services are not visible from the ramp. Supplemental directional panels located along interchange ramps to direct motorist to the right or to the left may not display more than three types of motorist service activities. Supplemental directional panels shall only repeat messages installed on the mainline, and shall not contain supplemental messages.
(3) The spacing between motorist information sign panels, and between motorist information sign panels and other official traffic control signs shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Where there is insufficient spacing for both other official traffic control signs and motorist information sign panels, the other official traffic control signs only shall be installed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-030, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-030, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW and RCW 47.01.101. WSR 91-17-012 (Order 129), § 468-70-030, filed 8/13/91, effective 9/13/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 86-08-023 (Order 103), § 468-70-030, filed 3/25/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-030, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-030, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-020.]
PDF468-70-040
Interchange and intersection selection for motorist information sign panels.
(1) On an interstate or noninterstate highway the interchange or intersection must:
(a) For interchanges, consist of both an exit and entrance ramp. However, where there is no entrance ramp, the department may determine that another entrance ramp may qualify for motorist information sign panels, provided that it is conveniently located, to permit a motorist to proceed without the use of indirect or poor connecting roads.
(b) For intersections, provide a reasonable and convenient route, in the determination of the department, to permit a motorist to proceed without the use of indirect or poor connecting roads.
(2) Motorist information sign panels may be erected at locations outside the corporate limits of cities and towns and areas zoned for commercial and industrial uses, and at locations within the corporate limits of cities and towns and areas zoned for commercial and industrial uses, where there is sufficient distance between interchanges or intersections to erect the signs in accordance with WAC 468-70-030 (1)(a) and (b). Where there is insufficient space available to install an array of four of the gas, food, lodging, camping/recreation, TOD's, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy panels, the number of panels allowable are normally provided in that order of priority, or as combined panels in accordance with WAC 468-70-030 (1)(c), except that regional administrators may negotiate a revised priority at interchange/intersection locations with local officials. If there is no business interest in signing for any one activity at a location, and space allows, the next lower priority activity can be signed.
(3) Signing will be provided from the nearest interchange or intersection from the nearest freeway/expressway or conventional highway to the activity. Signing will not be provided from a freeway or expressway to another freeway or expressway.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-040, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-040, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 86-08-023 (Order 103), § 468-70-040, filed 3/25/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-040, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-040, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-030.]
PDF468-70-050
Business eligibility.
(1) To be eligible for placement of a business sign on a motorist information sign panel a motorist service activity must conform to the following standards:
(a) Gas activity:
(i) Provide vehicle services including fuel, oil, tire repair and water; and
(ii) Be in continuous operation at least sixteen hours a day, seven days a week; and
(iii) Provide restroom facilities, drinking water and a telephone access;
(iv) Motorist information sign panels may be installed and existing signing will not be removed when the motorist service activity is closed for a short period of time or when its hours of operation have been reduced as a result of a shortage of gasoline;
(v) Activities not meeting the tire repair requirement of (i) of this subsection but have gas, oil, and water may qualify for signing provided that the motorist information sign panel displays fewer than the full complement of business signs. A telephone must also be available at no cost for a person to use to acquire tire repair;
(vi) Business signs for card-lock gas activities may be installed, provided that the activities serve the general motoring public, without membership, and accept a variety of credit cards available to the general public. Card-lock gas activities must also meet the applicable requirements of (a)(i) through (v) of this subsection.
(b) Food activity:
(i) Be licensed or approved by the county health office; and
(ii) Food activities in fee zones 1 and 2 shall be in continuous operation to serve meals for a minimum of ten hours a day six days a week, and food activities in fee zone 3 shall be in continuous operation to serve meals for a minimum of eight hours a day six days a week; and
(iii) Have inside seating for a minimum of twenty patrons and parking facilities for a minimum of ten vehicles; and
(iv) If curb service is provided, have a minimum of ten drive-in service stalls; and
(v) Provide telephone and restroom facilities.
(c) Lodging activity:
(i) Be licensed or approved by the Washington department of health; and
(ii) Provide adequate sleeping and bathroom accommodations available without reservations for rental on a daily basis; and
(iii) Provide public telephone facilities.
(d) Camping activity (applicable only for activities available from interstate highways):
(i) Have a valid business license;
(ii) Consist of at least twenty camping spaces and have adequate parking, modern sanitary and drinking water facilities for such spaces; and
(iii) Have an attendant on duty to manage and maintain the facility twenty-four hours a day while in operation.
(e) Recreation activity (applicable only for activities available from noninterstate highways):
(i) Consist of activities and sports of interest to family groups and the public generally in which people participate for purposes of active physical exercise, collective amusement or enjoyment of nature; e.g., hiking, golfing, skiing, boating, swimming, picnicking, camping, fishing, tennis, horseback riding, ice skating and gun clubs; and
(ii) Be licensed or approved by the state or local agency regulating the particular type of business; and
(iii) When the recreational activity is a campground, it must meet the criteria specified in WAC 468-70-050 (1)(d)(i) thru (iii).
(iv) Activities must be open to the motoring public without appointment, at least six hours a day, five days a week including Saturday and/or Sunday.
(f) Tourist-oriented business activity:
(i) A natural, recreational, historical, cultural, educational, or entertainment activity, or a unique or unusual commercial or nonprofit activity, the major portion of whose income or visitors are derived during its normal business seasons from motorists not residing in the immediate area of the activity.
(ii) Be listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, on the Washington Heritage Register, or as a National Historic Landmark with the state's office of archaeology and historic preservation. Signs on private property that mark the entrance to the historic district and a letter of support by the jurisdictional local agency are required.
(iii) Be a commercial district as adopted by a city ordinance or resolution with a minimum of one million square feet of leasable commercial space located within one square mile. The commercial district must provide a unique commercial activity where the majority of the district's customers do not reside in the city where the commercial district is located. The commercial district shall be located within one mile of the nearest state highway. Only the name of the commercial district will be displayed on the business sign. Corporate logos may not be displayed.
(iv) Activities must be open to the motoring public without appointment, at least six hours a day, five days a week including Saturday and/or Sunday.
(g) Twenty-four-hour pharmacy:
(i) Be open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
(ii) Have a state-licensed pharmacist present and on duty at all times.
(2) To be eligible for a RV symbol on its business sign, the business or destination shall have amenities, designed to accommodate recreational and other large vehicles, including:
(a) A hard-surfaced access to and from the business, that is free of potholes and is at least twelve feet wide with minimum turning radii of fifty feet.
(b) The roadway access and parking facilities must be free of utility wires, tree branches, or other obstructions up to fourteen feet above the surfacing.
(c) Facilities having short-term parking, such as restaurants and tourist attractions, must have a minimum of two parking spaces that are at least twelve feet wide and sixty-five feet long with a minimum turning radius of fifty feet for entering and exiting.
(d) Fueling islands must be located to allow for pull-through with a minimum entering and exiting turning radius of fifty feet.
(e) Canopied fueling islands must have a fourteen-foot minimum overhead clearance.
(f) Fueling facilities selling diesel are required to have pumps with noncommercial nozzles.
(g) For campgrounds, a minimum of two parking spaces at least eighteen feet wide and forty-five feet long are required.
(h) Business activities must also post directional signing on the premises as needed to indicate RV-friendly parking spaces and other on-site RV-friendly services, so that the motorist is given additional guidance upon leaving the public highway and entering the property.
(3) Distances prescribed herein will be measured from the center of the interchange or intersection along the centerline of the most direct public road to the facility access.
(4) The maximum distance that gas, food, lodging, camping, recreational, or tourist-oriented activities can be located on either side of an interchange or intersection to qualify for a business sign shall be as follows:
(a) From an interstate highway, gas, food, and lodging activities shall be located within three miles in either direction. Camping or tourist-oriented activities shall be located within five miles in either direction;
(b) From a noninterstate highway, gas, food, lodging, recreation, or tourist-oriented activities shall be located within five miles in either direction.
(c) A twenty-four-hour pharmacy must be located within three miles of an interstate or noninterstate highway.
(d) Where there are fewer than the maximum number, as specified in WAC 468-70-060 (3)(a), of eligible services within the distance limits prescribed in (a) and (b) of this subsection, the distance limits may be increased up to a maximum of fifteen miles to complete the balance of allowable signs.
(i) In reference to WAC 468-70-040(3), the department may erect and maintain signs on an alternate route that is longer than fifteen miles if it is safer and still provides reasonable and convenient travel to an eligible activity.
(ii) The department may erect and maintain signs on a route up to a maximum of twenty miles if an activity qualifies as eligible and is located within a distressed area under the criteria set forth in chapter 43.168 RCW.
(5) Within cities and towns having a population greater than twenty-five thousand, the department shall obtain concurrence from the municipality of locations for installing panels, and may request that the municipality install the panels.
(6) A gas, food, lodging, camping/recreational, tourist-oriented, or twenty-four-hour pharmacy activity visible from the mainline at least three hundred feet prior to an intersection shall not qualify for a business sign on such highway. The activity's on-premise sign is considered part of that activity in determining the three hundred foot visibility.
(7) When a multiple business activity qualifies for business sign placement on more than one type of motorist information sign panel, placement will be made on that type of panel which, as determined by the department, best describes the main product or service. Additional business signs for a qualifying multiple business activity may only be placed on more than one type of motorist information sign panel where the applicable panels display fewer than a full complement of business signs. Where these additional business signs complete the full complement of business signs on a motorist information sign panel, the most recently installed of such additional business signs shall be substituted for in the event that a qualifying single business activity applies to receive business signs.
(8) Motorist information sign panels will not be erected and maintained by the department until adequate follow-through signing, as specified by the department, is erected on local roads and/or streets. Written assurance that the follow-through signs will be maintained is required.
(9) Where operations are seasonal, business signs for each specific location shall be removed or covered during the appropriate period as determined by the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030 and 47.36.320. WSR 10-12-053, § 468-70-050, filed 5/27/10, effective 6/27/10; WSR 09-18-056, § 468-70-050, filed 8/27/09, effective 9/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-050, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.310 and 47.36.320. WSR 03-20-084, § 468-70-050, filed 9/30/03, effective 10/31/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-050, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW and RCW 47.01.101. WSR 91-17-012 (Order 129), § 468-70-050, filed 8/13/91, effective 9/13/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 87-01-054 (Order 106), § 468-70-050, filed 12/16/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-050, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.42.060. WSR 85-03-031 (Order 94), § 468-70-050, filed 1/10/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-050, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-040.]
PDF468-70-060
Signing details.
(1) Specifications:
(a) All motorist information sign panels, supplemental directional panels, and business signs shall be constructed in accordance with the Washington state standard specifications and standard plans, and amendments thereto.
(b) All business signs and RV symbols shall be constructed of a single piece of 0.063 inch thick aluminum meeting the requirements of the Washington state standard specifications and amendments thereto.
(c) Reflective sheeting on business signs shall be Type II, Type III, or Type IV meeting the minimum requirements of the Washington state standard specifications and amendments thereto.
(d) Silk-screen paint for business signs shall meet the minimum requirements of the Washington state standard specifications and amendments thereto.
(e) All panels, business signs, and RV symbols shall be fully reflectorized to show the same color both by day and night.
(2) Color of panels, signs, and RV symbols:
(a) The background color for gas, food, lodging, camping, TOD, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy motorist information sign panels and supplemental directional panels shall be blue. The background color for recreation motorist information sign panels and supplemental directional panels shall be brown. The border and lettering on all such signs shall be white.
(b) The background and message colors of business signs shall be at the businesses' option, subject to the department's approval as prescribed by WAC 468-70-070(5).
(c) The background color of RV symbols shall be yellow, with the letters RV in black.
(3) Composition of motorist information sign panels:
(a) For interchanges, the maximum number of business signs which may be displayed on a motorist information sign panel are six for each gas, food, lodging, camping/recreation, TOD's, and twenty-four-hour pharmacy panel. For intersections, each panel is limited to six business signs. For combined motorist information sign panels on the mainline, the minimum number of business signs which may be displayed is two for each type of motorist service activity. For supplemental directional panels located along interchange ramps, there is no minimum number of business signs which may be displayed for each type of motorist service activity.
(b) Sign panel fabrication layouts, and business sign sizes, are provided in the Appendices of the Motorist Information Signs Booklet published by the Washington state department of transportation.
(i) The panel size shall be sufficient to accommodate the various sizes of business signs and directional information.
(ii) For qualifying businesses located more than one mile from an intersection the business sign shall show the mileage to the business to the nearest mile. For interchanges the mileage will be shown on the supplemental directional panel business signs installed along an interchange ramp or at a ramp terminal.
(4) RV symbol design and statutory mounting location:
(a) RV symbols installed on freeway/expressway size business signs shall be a round twelve-inch diameter plaque displaying eight-inch RV letters. RV symbols installed on conventional roadway size business signs shall be a round six-inch diameter plaque displaying four-inch RV letters.
(b) The RV symbol shall be displayed in the lower right corner of the gas, food, lodging, camping, or tourist activity business signs installed along the mainline of freeways/expressways and along conventional highways. The term lower right corner is exclusive of any panel displaying the mileage message referenced in subsection (3)(b)(ii) of this section. RV symbols shall not be installed on supplemental directional panel business signs installed along an interchange ramp or at a ramp terminal.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030 and 47.36.320. WSR 10-12-053, § 468-70-060, filed 5/27/10, effective 6/27/10; WSR 09-18-056, § 468-70-060, filed 8/27/09, effective 9/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-060, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-060, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW and RCW 47.01.101. WSR 91-17-012 (Order 129), § 468-70-060, filed 8/13/91, effective 9/13/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 87-01-054 (Order 106), § 468-70-060, filed 12/16/86; WSR 86-08-023 (Order 103), § 468-70-060, filed 3/25/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-060, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.42.060. WSR 85-03-031 (Order 94), § 468-70-060, filed 1/10/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-060, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-050.]
PDF468-70-070
Permits and procedure.
(1) No business signs will be installed on motorist information sign panels prior to issuance of a permit by the department. Permits will be issued by the department in accordance with this chapter.
(2) Permit applications will be accepted at the appropriate department of transportation regional office in care of the regional administrator. Applications transmitted by mail shall be effective from date of receipt rather than of mailing.
(3) One permit application will be for all the signing that the applicant will qualify for at a single interchange or intersection.
(4) Application forms, which may be obtained from the department, shall contain the following information:
(a) Name and address of the owner of the business to be advertised.
(b) The highway for which the applicant seeks signing.
(c) A description of the interchange or intersection for which the business sign is to be installed.
(d) A statement of the business location including exact travel distance from the interchange or intersection and precise roads used for access.
(e) An agreement to limit the height of any on-premise sign to no greater than fifteen feet higher than the roof of the main building, measured to the bottom of the sign for businesses located within one mile of an interchange or intersection. (Not applicable along interstate highways if the sign is not visible to the highway.)
Pursuant to RCW 47.36.310, for on-premise signs visible along rural interstate highways the department may waive the fifteen-foot height requirement, on a case-by-case basis, where granting the waiver will not preclude another business having an on-premise sign which complies with the fifteen-foot height requirement from receiving business signs.
(f) Such other information as may be required by the department.
(5) Each permit application will include a sketch, drawing or picture of the message to be placed on the business signs. Business signs may not display messages advertising products or services incidental to the qualifying motorist service activity. The department shall have final approval of the design of the business sign and may modify such submissions to achieve uniformity, visibility, and legibility.
(6) Any party aggrieved by an application determination of the department shall be accorded hearing rights before the secretary of transportation or his designee pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW.
(7) Once an application is approved, the department will request that the business provide its business signs to the department for installation and pay the first year's annual motorist information sign panel fee. There is no additional fee for first-time business sign installations.
(8) The department will install RV symbols on business signs upon request, after confirming that the business meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by WAC 468-70-050(2). RV symbols may remain on business signs until no longer applicable, or until the symbols require replacement due to weather-wear.
(9) Fees:
(a) The annual fee charged to each business for motorist information sign panels is:
(i) Nine hundred ten dollars for signs located in fee zone 1;
(ii) Six hundred eighty-three dollars for signs located in fee zone 2; or
(iii) Three hundred sixty-four dollars for signs located in fee zone 3.
(b) The fee for business sign replacement is one hundred fifteen dollars per sign, prepaid.
(c) The fee for new or replacement department-installed RV symbols is seventy-five dollars per symbol, prepaid.
(d) The annual fee for motorist information sign panels shall be paid within thirty calendar days after the anniversary of the permit issue. Failure to pay the annual fee within thirty calendar days after the anniversary of the permit issue will cause the permit to expire and the business signs to be removed from the motorist information sign panels.
(10) Business signs may be replaced at the request of a business; or, the department may request the business signs to replace weather-worn signs.
(11) Loss of sign locations:
(a) If highway construction or maintenance activities temporarily close sections of highway where business signs are installed, the business shall have no claim against the department or its contractor for disruption of signing and/or access resulting from the closures.
(b) Where it's necessary to remove signs temporarily to accommodate highway construction or maintenance activities, the department may prorate the amount due to the department for the next billing cycle proportionate to the length of time the sign is removed.
(c) Where highway construction, maintenance activities, or natural causes permanently preclude reinstalling motorist information sign panels or business signs, the business shall be entitled to:
(i) If no signs remain, prorated reimbursement for the balance of the current billing cycle; or
(ii) If signs remain in one direction of travel, prorated credit of the amount due to the department for the next billing cycle.
(12) The department shall not be liable for loss or damage due to delays or interruptions of service because of inclement weather, fire, or other casualty loss, strikes, governmental laws, rules, or regulations, acts of God, or any other reason outside the department's control.
(13) In the event of change of ownership or operation, assignment of permits in good standing shall be effective only upon receipt of assignment by the department. The department will not reassign permits in the event of change of both ownership and operation.
(14) Revocation and expiration:
(a) After hearing before the secretary of transportation or his designee, as required by chapter 34.05 RCW (Administrative Procedure Act) and the rules and regulations of the department adopted pursuant thereto, any motorist information sign permit may be revoked by the secretary or the secretary's designee who has conducted the hearing for any of the following reasons:
(i) For the making of any false or misleading statements in the application for any permit, whether or not the same is material to or relied upon by the department in the issuance of such permit when such false or misleading statement or information shall remain uncorrected after the expiration of thirty days following written notification thereof.
(ii) For allowing or suffering any on-premise sign to remain that exceeds the height requirements set forth in this chapter.
(iii) For failure to provide the services and/or facilities required by WAC 468-70-050 and this section.
(b) If a motorist information sign permit is revoked or is allowed to expire, a new application may be accepted by the department and the motorist service activity must meet the requirements of any other applying motorist service activity.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030, 47.36.310, and 47.36.320. WSR 06-15-018, § 468-70-070, filed 7/7/06, effective 8/7/06. Statutory Authority: ESHB 2474, 2004 c 229 § 218 and RCW 47.36.310 and 47.36.320. WSR 04-16-056, § 468-70-070, filed 7/29/04, effective 8/29/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.325 and the 2002 supplemental appropriation bill. WSR 03-20-082, § 468-70-070, filed 9/30/03, effective 10/31/03. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.42.060. WSR 00-01-184 (Order 196), § 468-70-070, filed 12/22/99, effective 1/22/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.36.030. WSR 95-23-098 (Order 153), § 468-70-070, filed 11/21/95, effective 1/1/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW and RCW 47.01.101. WSR 91-17-012 (Order 129), § 468-70-070, filed 8/13/91, effective 9/13/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 47.42.046 and 47.42.047. WSR 88-22-001 (Order 115), § 468-70-070, filed 10/20/88. Statutory Authority: Chapter 47.42 RCW. WSR 87-01-054 (Order 106), § 468-70-070, filed 12/16/86; WSR 85-17-012 (Order 96), § 468-70-070, filed 8/12/85. Statutory Authority: 1977 ex.s. c 151. WSR 79-01-033 (DOT Order 10 and Comm. Order 1, Resolution No. 13), § 468-70-070, filed 12/20/78. Formerly WAC 252-42-060.]