SCDOT Logo Program

Specific service (Logo) signs provide travelers with business identification and directional information for essential motorist services. South Carolina's Logo Sign Program for rural areas was implemented in 1979 and completed in 1989. The logo program for rural areas was privatized in 1995 and expanded to urban interstates in 1997. Currently, the logo program is administered by South Carolina Logos, Inc. and they are responsible for all marketing, construction and maintenance of the program.

SCLI may be reached locally in Columbia at (803) 783-1288 or toll free at (800) 332-1727.

The logo program in South Carolina is governed by a state regulation ( South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended, Regulation 63-338 ). This regulation was developed in accordance with the Federal guidelines outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2003 Edition.

Eligible Businesses and Requirements

The logo regulations allow for businesses that provide gas, food, lodging, camping, or attraction services to display a business sign along designated sections of fully controlled access highways. Participation requirements for each service category, as specified in the regulations, are listed below.

Gas

Located within three miles of the interchange
Vehicle services shall include fuel, oil, and water
Continuous operation at least sixteen hours per day, seven days a week
Rest room facilities
Drinking water
Public telephone

Food

Located within three miles of the interchange
Maintain a "Grade A" rating as defined by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Continuous operation at least twelve hours a day, six days a week
Rest room facilities
Indoor seating capacity for at least twenty persons and/or drive-thru service
Public telephone

Lodging

Located within three miles of the interchange
Continuous operation, twelve months per year
At least ten lodging rooms
Public telephone

Camping

Located within six miles of the interchange
Permit to operate by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Modern sanitary facilities including restrooms and showers
Drinking water
Overnight accommodations for all types of travel trailers, tents and camping vehicles
Adequate parking accommodations for at least ten camping vehicles
Continuous operation, seven days a week
If operated on a seasonal basis, signs will be removed
Public telephone

Attraction

Located within fifteen miles of the interchange
Be an activity or location that is one of the following:

Amusement Park: a permanent area, open to the general public, whose principle activities include boating, entertainment rides, swimming, etc.
Arena: an auditorium, civic/convention center, racetrack, sports complex, or stadium having a minimum seating capacity of 5,000
College/University: an institution approved by a nationally recognized accreditation agency, has an enrollment of at least 500 fulltime students, and grants degrees
Commerce Park: a group of commercial manufacturing or research facilities
Cultural Center: a facility for cultural events
Facility Tour Location: such as a factory, institution, or plant which conducts daily or weekly public tours on regular scheduled basis year-round
Fairground: a tract of land where fairs or exhibitions are held and which has permanent buildings including, but not limited to, bandstands, exhibition halls, livestock exhibition pens, etc.
Historical Site/District: a structure or area listed on the national or state historical register and recognized by the Department as a historic attraction or location. Historic districts shall provide the public with a single, central location, such as a self-service kiosk or welcome center, where motorists can obtain information regarding the district
Recreational Area: recognized by the SCDOT including, but not limited to, bicycling, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking, or rafting
Natural Phenomenon: a naturally occurring area which is of outstanding interest to the general public;
Visitor Information Center: visitor information centers other than those operated by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism must meet the criteria outlined by the SCDOT
Zoological/Botanical Park: a facility in which living animals or plants are kept and exhibited to the public
Malls/Shopping Areas: a shopping mall must have a minimum enclosed, climate-controlled shopping area of 400,000 square feet. A shopping area must consist of a group of ten (10) or more enclosed, climate-controlled retail establishments located in close proximity to one another and having a unified theme carried out by individual shops in their architectural design or their merchandise.

Maintain regular hours for that type of establishment
Public restrooms & Adequate parking accommodations

Participation Fees

All participating businesses pay an annual fee to participate in the logo program. These fees are based on the exposure the logo signs get to the average daily traffic. These fees are set by the SCDOT and are scheduled for review biennially. Annual fees are listed below.

Standard Interchange: Less than 30,000 vehicles per day — $1,000 per direction
Intermediate Interchange: 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles per day — $1,500 per direction
Premium Interchange: More than 50,000 vehicles per day — $2,500 per direction

Business Sign Design

In addition to the annual participation fees, businesses must also supply their business signs to be installed on the SCDOT's blue background panels. These business signs may be fabricated by any company, provided the signs conform to SCDOT specifications.

Bid Process

If a logo panel is full, participation will be determined using a bid process as stated in the regulations (South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended, Regulation 63-338, Section E.5). For example, if a logo panel has space for six gas businesses and eight businesses meet the qualifications and wish to participate, each of the eight qualified gas businesses will be allowed to submit a sealed bid for one year's participation and the six highest qualified bidders will be displayed on the panel. This process will be repeated annually as long as the number of qualified participants exceeds the available space. Minimum bids will be set at the current participation rate for the interchange.