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
• Public telephone
• Indoor seating capacity for at least twenty persons and/or drive-thru service

Lodging


• Located within three miles of the interchange
• Permit to operate by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• 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 or convention center, racetrack, sports complex, or stadium having a minimum seating capacity of 5,000
  • College or University Facilities: an institution that is 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: a facility 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 or 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: a recreational attraction 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, such as a waterfall or a cavern;
  • 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
• 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.

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.

To view the SCDOT specifications for business sign design,
you will need Adobe Reader.

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.