Utah Admin. Code R918-7-5 - Acknowledgement Signs and Plaques - Size, Placement, and Content Restrictions

(1) The placement of acknowledgement signs or plaques for roadside facility sponsorship is prohibited on the main traveled way. Such acknowledgement signs or plaques are permissible within the roadside facility, provided that the signs are placed such that the legend on the sign is not visible from any main traveled way, and such that the signs do not pose safety risks to roadside facility users.

(2) Acknowledgment signs and acknowledgment plaques:

(a) shall meet:

(i) any relevant requirements of the MUTCD, including:

(A) the general criteria, purposes, and principles of traffic control devices provided in Parts 1 and 2; and

(B) specific sign criteria provided in Part 2; and

(ii) relevant sign design principles covered in the Standard Highway Signs and Markings Book;

(b) should be appropriately sized commensurate with the legibility needs of the bikeway or path user;

(c) may only be static, non-changeable, and non-electronic;

(d) may only be roadside, post-mounted installations;

(e) may not be placed at a key decision point where the attention of a driver is more appropriately focused on traffic control devices, roadway geometry, or traffic conditions.

(f) unless specifically allowed by the MUTCD, may not be appended to any other sign, sign assembly, or other traffic control device; and

(g) shall remain in place only during the agreement.

(3) For sponsorship of a program that is not site-specific, the acknowledgment plaque may be mounted in the same sign assembly below a general service sign.

(4) The department will consider the provision of highway-related services, products, or monetary contributions that occurs through naming sponsorship, sometimes referred to as "naming rights," of officially mapped, named, or numbered highways to be sponsorship. Consistent with the MUTCD, an unofficial overlay or secondary designation in the name of a sponsor on the official highway name or number through proclamation, contract, agreement, or other means, may be acknowledged within the highway right-of-way only with an acknowledgment sign. An acknowledgment sign may not display a legend that states, either explicitly or by implication, that the highway is named for the sponsor.

(5) Acknowledgment sign and acknowledgment plaque messages may not be interspersed, combined, or alternated with other official traffic control messages, either in the same display space, by adjacency in the same assembly, or by adjacency of multiple assemblies whose longitudinal separation does not meet the placement criteria contained in the MUTCD, including when placed on opposite sides of the roadway facing the same direction of travel.

(6) If a graphic logo is used to represent the sponsor instead of a word legend using the FHWA Standard Alphabets, the logo may only be the principal trademarked official logo that represents the corporate name of the sponsor. Secondary logos or representations, even if trademarked, copyrighted, or otherwise protected, are classified as promotional advertising and will not be allowed.

(7) An alternative business name whose sole or primary purpose appears to be to circumvent the provisions of the MUTCD or this rule is classified as promotional advertising rather than an acknowledgment of a sponsoring entity of a highway-related service.

(8) The department may not allow acknowledgment signs or acknowledgment plaques that include displays mimicking advertising. The determination of whether a sign mimics or constitutes advertising lies with the FHWA.

(9) In accordance with the MUTCD, a brief department-wide slogan may be displayed on an acknowledgment sign. The slogan displayed is that of the program name, such as "SPONSOR-A-HIGHWAY." Slogans for companion, supplementary, or other programs unrelated to the service being sponsored may not be displayed on any acknowledgment sign or acknowledgment plaque.

(10) Acknowledgement signs and acknowledgment plaques for safety programs or other operational elements that are not roadside facilities may not be placed any closer than one mile from any other acknowledgment sign or acknowledgment plaque in the same direction on the main traveled way. The one-mile restriction applies regardless of which program sponsorship is being acknowledged, with the exception that Sponsor-A-Highway litter control recognition signs may be placed independently of signs acknowledging any other program. Sponsor-A-Highway litter control recognition signs may be placed as close as one mile from each other if facing in the same direction.

(11) As determined by UDOT, an acknowledgment sign or acknowledgment plaque may not:

(a) create a safety concern; or

(b) interfere with the free and safe flow of traffic.

(12) As determined by UDOT, an acknowledgment sign or plaque may not promote or acknowledge sponsorship of:

(a) a substance or activity that is illegal for minors, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or gambling;

(b) a political party, candidate, purpose, or issue; or

(c) sexual material.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R918-7-5

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-6, effective 2/20/2015 Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-10, effective 4/23/2015 Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2025-03, effective 1/23/2025