Sign Programs and Standards

To qualify for a Limited Supplemental Guide sign (LSGS, aka "brown sign"), the attraction must meet several criteria. There must also be available space for an additional sign on the highway facility in advance of the interchange that motorists would take to get to the destination.

Cabinet policy allows for two supplemental destinations per direction of travel per interchange. This is inclusive of destinations on both green Supplemental Guide signs (see Supplemental Guide Signs above) and brown Limited Supplemental Guide Signs. If an interchange has already met the maximum number of supplemental guide signs, or roadway geometrics/topography prevent installation of additional signing, we would be unable to honor any additional signing requests.

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LSGS APPLICATION FORM              Email completed application to Our Office

Please note this application will require attachments, including:

• Letters of support for signing from the local governing agency(s) where the signs will be installed (e.g., County Judge/Executive, mayor, local tourism board, etc.) 
• Proof showing annual visitation numbers to the attraction (e.g., ticket sales verification, visitor logs, etc.). This must be recorded data, not projections or expectations. 
  
• Photos of the attraction.
  

Once the application is complete and submitted to our office, an initial review of the attraction will be performed, including qualifying criteria and sign space availability.  If no immediate issues arise, an estimated cost for the fabrication and installation of the signs will be provided to the applicant.  This cost and any future maintenance costs are the sole responsibility of the applicant. 

Please note that a typical LSGS installation, which includes a large panel sign in each direction of the freeway, a directional sign on each exit ramp, and any necessary trailblazing signs on surface roads can cost $20,000 - $60,000, depending on the size of the signs and site-specific conditions. If signing is only provided in one direction, the cost will be roughly half the estimated range above. 

If the applicant is prepared to pay these costs upon final approval, the application will be routed through the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet (TAHC) for review.  If both the Division of Traffic Operations and TAHC approve, the application will then be sent to the Secretary of Transportation, who gives final approval for all Limited Supplemental Guide Sign requests. Please note that this process can take several months to complete.

ELIGIBLE ATTRACTIONS: 

• Historical sites
  
• Tourist areas or attractions 
• Family entertainment centers  

QUALIFYING CRITERIA: 

• Must be within 50 miles of interchange. 
  
• Visitation requirements: 

• Rural areas - The lesser of either 10,000 annual attendance or an annual visitation equal to or greater than the average annual daily traffic count of the fully controlled-access highway at the interchange from which the attraction is served. 
• Urban areas - The lesser of either 75,000 annual attendance or an annual visitation equal to or greater than the average annual daily traffic count of the fully controlled-access highway at the interchange from which the attraction is served. 
• Historical Sites - 5,000 annual attendance 
• Must have physical space for the signs on the freeway and exit ramps. 
• Must be open to the general public during regular and reasonable hours and not by appointment or reservation only. 
• Each activity shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal statutes and regulations including those prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin. 
• Assurance of conformance with all applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations and possession of necessary and proper licenses. 
• Shall be conducted in a building or area that complies with state and local building code requirements for safety. 
• Shall not be conducted in a building principally used as a residence unless there is a convenient, separate, and well-marked entrance. 
• The building or area shall be maintained in a manner consistent with standards generally accepted for that type of business or activity. 
• Any attraction which operates on a seasonal basis shall make provisions with the Cabinet for the removal of the attraction's signs during the off-season. The attraction shall, in writing, notify the Cabinet at least thirty (30) days before the opening or closing occurs. The attraction will be responsible for all costs associated with removing or covering the signs and reinstalling or uncovering the signs. 
  

Please note: The Cabinet shall not be responsible for business lost due to signs or limited supplemental panels becoming temporarily out of service. The display of the attraction name on the sign structure shall not be considered an endorsement or recommendation by the Commonwealth of Kentucky on behalf of the attraction. 

If you have any questions about the application process or the Cabinet's signing programs in general, please contact Our Office. 

Should you wish to pursue alternate signing options on freeways, you may qualify for the blue Logo Signing Program. Information regarding the blue Logo Signing program, including pricing, can be found at the link near the bottom of this webpage.