Learn about the Motorist Information Sign (MIS) program and how to get your business included on a blue service information sign.

Motorist Information Signs (MIS) are installed along state highways to alert travelers to services available at or near a freeway interchange or a highway intersection. These signs use a blue or brown background with business logo signs attached, helping to direct travelers to your fuel, food, lodging, camping, recreation activity, tourist activity, or 24-hour pharmacy business.

The MIS program is a great way to connect travelers to your motorist service business. Our state highways carry hundreds of thousands of people every day, and they drive past many of these signs. We install the main signs - you provide the business logo signs.

There are limits on how many business logos may be installed for a particular service and highway type. Businesses are selected on a first come, first served basis. Additional businesses are placed on a waiting list and contacted in order as space becomes available. Businesses with installed logos that change ownership can remain if the business name does not change and it still meets eligibility requirements - otherwise, it is considered a new business and must go through the application process again. Participating business owners who are selling their business are requested to contact their MIS program representative.

Logo signs are limited to one sign per direction per any activity (fuel, food, lodging, camping, recreation, tourist activity, or 24-hour pharmacy) for any business, and located at the interchange or intersection closest to the advertised business.

Motorist Information Signs are installed in advance of freeway off-ramps and highway intersections. The main sign (back panel) is installed by us. Participating businesses provide the logo signs. Typically, a maximum of six logo signs can be installed on one back panel sign, and a total of four back panels can be installed at an interchange or intersection, depending on available space. Typically, each back panel includes one or more different service types - it is not common to have more than one back panel with the same service type.

If there are no back panels at an interchange or intersection, a new one may be installed if it will not be in visual conflict with other signing in the area. MIS back panels must be 800 feet from any green guide or directional highway signs. Back panels on freeways and expressways may only be installed where a motorist can conveniently exit and then re-enter the highway and continue in the same direction, and may not be installed at interchanges leading from one freeway or expressway to another.

To be eligible to participate in the MIS program, your business must be open to the public, including minors, and must conform to all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination on grounds of race, religion, color, age, sex, or national origin when providing service to the public.

Businesses shall be located within the following distances from the highway, in any direction, depending on the type of highway:

If no services are available, or choose to participate in the MIS program, within these distance limits, we are able to extend these distances in three mile increments, up to a maximum of 15 miles in most cases, or 20 miles in a distressed area.

If your business is located on the highway, and the business or on-premise sign is visible at least 300 feet prior to an intersection or business entrance, your business does not qualify for the MIS program.

Your business must receive its principle source of revenue from the sale of goods, products, or services that fall within the applicable service category below. Each category has its own additional criteria which must be met.

Food facilities located within a fueling facility can qualify for food signing if all of the food activity criteria below are met.

Camping is only applicable for activities available from interstate highways.

Recreational activities are only applicable for activities available from non-interstate highways. Recreational activities consist of sports and activities of interest to family groups and the public, in which people generally participate for the purposes of physical exercise, collective amusement, or the enjoyment of nature.

Tourist oriented businesses shall be one of the following:

Tourist activities must be open to the motoring public without appointment, at least six hours per day, five days a week, including Saturday and/or Sunday.

RV Symbols are an add-on to your business logo, and are not a standalone category. To be eligible to include an RV symbol on your logo sign, your business must provide the following amenities and accommodations for recreational and other large vehicles:

Seasonal businesses may participate in the MIS program. Seasonal businesses still pay the full annual fee for having their logo on the sign. It is preferred that seasonal businesses include the months of operation as part of the logo sign. Otherwise, the sign must be covered or removed during the time the business is not in operation, which incurs additional fees.

Participation in the MIS program is paid for through an annual fee. There are three fee zone types, which are broken down by type of highway and number of average daily vehicles.

Signs are installed in both directions approaching an interchange or intersection, and two logo signs must be provided. If signing can only be installed in one direction, only one logo sign needs to be provided and a reduced annual fee is charged. Fees for each zone are as follows:

If a logo sign is damaged or in need of replacement, or the business requests to have the logo sign replaced, there is a $115 fee for us to remove and replace the logo sign. The business is required to provide the replacement logo sign.

The MIS program representative that you work with will let you know if there are any other applicable special fees, such as seasonal business sign management.

Business logo signs are provided by the business. It is your responsibility to design the sign, and then have it manufactured and delivered to us for installation.

Choosing a sign manufacturer is up to you, but our MIS program representatives may be able to provide a list of sign manufacturers upon request. There are regulations regarding the size of the sign panel and the materials used. These requirements will be included in the information you will receive after your application is approved and all required fees are paid. It is highly recommended that customers ask for a seven year warranty against deterioration of the sign. Sign manufacturers may also help you to design your logo sign to be most effective as part of the service sign.

We do not keep current costs for business logo signs, as they vary over time and with different manufacturers. Historically, average costs have been in the range of:

Only your manufacturer can provide current pricing.

Thousands of motorists will see your sign, but they may be driving by it at 60 MPH or faster. Keeping your logo simple makes it easier to register with drivers. Here are some tips for effective logo signs.

The following items are not permitted on logo signs:

Your logo sign must be approved by one of our MIS program representatives before it is installed. It is highly recommended that this approval be received before being manufactured.

Applications are quick and easy. Create and submit your application online.

If you have any questions or are not certain if your business qualifies, please contact the MIS program representative for your location.

Fatma Madkour Fatma.Madkour@wsdot.wa.gov

2714 N Mayfair St Spokane, WA 99207-2050 (509) 342-9762

Trevor McCain Trevor.McCain@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7282 (360) 705-6826

PO Box 47300 Olympia, WA 98504-7300

*Note: In King County, for Interstate 90 east of Exit #32 (436th Ave SE Interchange), contact South Central Region.

Mike Leitch Mike.Leitch@wsdot.wa.gov

Mailing Address PO Box 330310 Seattle, WA 98133-9710

Physical Address 15700 Dayton Ave N Shoreline, WA 98133

Heather Britton Heather.Britton@wsdot.wa.gov

Mailing Address PO Box 47440 Olympia, WA 98504-7440

Physical Address 5720 Capitol Blvd SE Tumwater, WA 98501

Brad Cuillier Brad.Cuillier@wsdot.wa.gov

2809 Rudkin Rd Union Gap, WA 98903-1648 (509) 577-1985 (509) 577-1740 (Fax)

Gary Weiss Gary.Weiss@wsdot.wa.gov

11018 NE 51st Circle Vancouver, WA 98682-6686 (360) 905-2257 (360) 905-2066 (Fax)

Trevor McCain Trevor.McCain@wsdot.wa.gov (360) 705-7282

PO Box 47300 Olympia, WA 98504-7300

Should you disagree with a permit decision that has been made, you have the right to have the Washington State Traffic Engineer hear the issue and recommend a final order. To make such a request, submit the request in writing to:

WSDOT Attn: State Traffic Engineer PO Box 47344 Olympia, WA 98504-7344

as recorded by WSDOT and partners in 2020 and 2021.

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