Chapter Trans 200

Trans 200.06(5)(b) (b) Sign maintenance contracts shall include provisions for installation of additional business signs on existing specific information signs; replacement of damaged, defective or obsolete signs; removal of signs; and covering and uncovering or removing and replacing signs for seasonal services.

Trans 200.06(5)(c) (c) Maintenance contracts may contain provisions for a negotiated price for unanticipated erection of specific information signs, including supports.

Trans 200.06(5)(d) (d) In lieu of or in addition to the contracting procedures stated in pars. (a) to (c), the department may enter into a contract that specifies alternative manufacture, erection, maintenance, marketing and implementation methods with a private contractor.

Trans 200.06(6) (6) Signing criteria.

Trans 200.06(6)(a) (a) Distance to motorist service. The distance from a highway to a business shall be measured from the nearest edge of the main travelled roadway of the highway at an intersection or from the gore between the main travelled roadway and the exit ramp at an interchange to the centerline extended of the closest driveway to the business on the crossroad. At a double-exit interchange, the distance shall be measured for each pair of double exits and the shorter distance shall govern.

Trans 200.06(6)(b) (b) Lateral location. The location for specific information signs shall be determined by the department to preserve highway safety, to take advantage of natural terrain, to have the least impact on the scenic environment, to minimize conflict with scenic easements, and to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway or with signs authorized or permitted under s. 84.30, Stats.

Trans 200.06(6)(c) (c) SIS grandfather provision. Specific information signs lawfully erected with the department’s approval before May 8, 1990, may be maintained subject to all other conditions of this section.

Trans 200.06(6)(e) (e) General sign specifications.

Trans 200.06(6)(e)1. 1. Specific information signs. The sign panels for specific information signs shall have a blue background with a white legend and border. The sign panels, legend and borders shall be reflectorized but not illuminated. The size of the sign panels shall not exceed the minimum size necessary to accommodate the maximum number of business signs permitted using the required legend height and the interline and edge spacing.

Trans 200.06(6)(e)2. 2. Business signs. Business signs shall have a blue background with a white legend and border. Business signs shall be reflectorized. The principal legend should be at least equal in height to the directional legend on the specific information sign. If a business brand, symbol or trademark is used alone for a business sign, the border may be omitted. Business signs, including the brand, symbol or trademark or name, or combination of these, meeting the department’s specifications, shall be provided to the department’s contractor by the business. The brand, symbol or trademark or name, or combination of these, and any required legend shall not exceed the standard business sign size and any integral legend shall be in proportionate size. Businesses that provide diesel fuel as well as “GAS” services are encouraged to provide “DIESEL” as an integral legend on their business sign. The vertical and horizontal spacing between business signs on specific information signs shall not exceed 8 inches and 12 inches, respectively.

Trans 200.06(6)(f) (f) Legends. All directional arrows and all letters and numbers used in the name of the type of motorist service and the directional legend shall be white and reflectorized.

Trans 200.06(7) (7) Interstate highways and other freeways special requirements.

Trans 200.06(7)(a) (a) Sign location.

Trans 200.06(7)(a)1. 1. Separate specific information signs. Except as provided in par. (b) 3., a separate specific information sign shall be provided for each type of motorist service for which business signs are displayed.

Trans 200.06(7)(a)2. 2. Relationship to exit gore. The specific information signs shall be erected between the end of the acceleration lane at the previous interchange and 800 feet in advance of the beginning of the deceleration lane at the interchange from which the motorist services are available. There shall be at least 800 feet spacing between the signs. Excessive spacing shall be avoided. Spacing may be adjusted to avoid visual conflict with other signs.

Trans 200.06(7)(a)3. 3. Convenient reentry. Specific information signs shall not be erected at an interchange where the motorist cannot conveniently reenter the freeway and continue in the same direction of travel.

Trans 200.06(7)(a)4. 4. Exit ramp signs. At single-exit interchanges where motorist service facilities are not visible from a ramp terminal, ramp signs shall be installed along the ramp or at the ramp terminal. These signs shall be provided by the business and shall correspond to the specific information signs along the main roadway but shall be reduced in size. Business signs for visible facilities may be omitted. The exit ramp signs shall include the distance to motorist service installations exceeding 3 miles and directional arrows in lieu of words. The minimum letter height shall be 4 inches except that any legend on a symbol shall be proportional to the size of the symbol.

Trans 200.06(7)(b) (b) Sign composition.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)1. 1. Single-exit interchanges. At single-exit interchanges, the name of the type of motorist service followed by the exit number shall be displayed in one line above the business signs. At unnumbered interchanges, the directional legend “NEXT RIGHT (LEFT)” shall be substituted for the exit number.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)2. 2. Double-exit interchanges. At double-exit interchanges, the specific information signs shall consist of 2 sections, one for each exit. The top section shall display the business signs for the first exit and the lower section shall display the business signs for the second exit. No more than one-half of the maximum number of signs permitted at an intersection shall be permitted for each exit. The name of the type of motorist service followed by the exit number shall be displayed in a line above the business signs in each section. At unnumbered interchanges, the legends “NEXT RIGHT (LEFT)” and “SECOND RIGHT (LEFT)” shall be substituted for the exit numbers. Where a type of motorist service is to be signed for at only one exit, one section of the specific information sign may be omitted. The number of business signs, total of both sections, shall be limited to the number specified in s. 86.195 (5) (b), Stats.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)3. 3. Interchanges with fewer facilities.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)3.a. a. At interchanges where not more than 3 qualified facilities are available for each of 2 or more types of motorist services, business signs for 2 types of motorist services may be displayed on the same specific information sign. When 2 types of motorist services are displayed on one sign, the business sign panels shall be limited to 3 for each motorist service type, or 4 for one motorist service type and 2 for the other motorist service type. Not more than 6 business sign panels may be displayed on one specific information sign.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)3.b. b. At interchanges where not more than 2 qualified facilities are available for each of 3 or more types of motorist services, business signs for 3 types of motorist services may be displayed on the same specific information sign. Not more than 2 business signs for each type of motorist service may be displayed in combination on a specific information sign with 3 types of motorist services. When it becomes necessary to display a third business sign for a type of motorist service displayed in combination, the business signs involved shall then be displayed in compliance with subd. 1., 2. or 3. a.

Trans 200.06(7)(b)3.c. c. The name of each type of motorist service shall be displayed above its respective business signs, and the exit number shall be displayed above the names of the types of motorist services. At unnumbered interchanges, the legend “NEXT RIGHT (LEFT)” shall be substituted for the exit number. Business signs shall not be combined on a specific information sign when it is anticipated that additional motorist service facilities will become available in the near future.

Trans 200.06(7)(c) (c)

Trans 200.06(7)(c)1. 1. Business sign size. Each business sign displayed on a “GAS” specific information sign shall be contained within a 48-inch-wide and 36-inch-high rectangular background area, including border. Each business sign displayed on a “FOOD,” “LODGING,” “CAMPING” OR “ATTRACTION” specific information sign shall be contained within a 60-inch-wide and 36-inch-high rectangular background area, including border. If 2 business signs are displayed for 3 different types of motorist services on one specific information sign, the business sign size shall be contained within a 48-inch-wide and 36-inch-high rectangular background area, including border.

Trans 200.06 Note Note: After August 1, 2007, the Department may require all newly-erected or replacement specific information signs to contain business signs within a 48-inch wide and 36-inch high rectangular background area, including border, in order to accommodate the newly added ATTRACTIONS category of signs.

Trans 200.06(7)(c)2. 2. Legends. All letters used in the name of the type of motorist service and the directional legend shall be 10-inch capital letters. Numbers shall be 10 inches in height.

Trans 200.06(8) (8) Expressways—special requirements.

Trans 200.06(8)(a) (a) Sign location.

Trans 200.06(8)(a)1. 1. Interchanges. The location of specific information signs and exit ramp signs erected for interchanges shall be the same as for interstate highways and freeways under sub. (7) (a).

Trans 200.06(8)(a)2. 2. Intersections. The locations of specific information signs, the spacing between specific information signs, and between specific information signs and other traffic control devices shall be determined on the basis of the department’s engineering study.

Trans 200.06(8)(b) (b) Sign composition. The composition of specific information signs and exit ramp signs erected for interchanges shall be the same as for interstate highways and freeways under sub. (7) (b).

Trans 200.06(8)(c) (c) Sign size.

Trans 200.06(8)(c)1. 1. ‘Interchanges.’ Business signs shall conform to the sizes specified for interstate highways and freeways under sub. (7) (c) 1. Legends shall conform to the requirements for interstate highways and freeways under sub. (7) (c) 2.

Trans 200.06(8)(c)2. 2. ‘Intersections.’ Each business sign shall be contained within a 36-inch-wide and 24-inch-high rectangular background area, including border. All letters used in the name of the type of motorist service and the directional legend shall be 6-inch capital letters.

Trans 200.06(9) (9) Conventional highways—special requirements.

Trans 200.06(9)(a) (a) Sign location. The location of the specific information signs shall be the same as specified for expressway intersections under sub. (8) (a) 2.

Trans 200.06(9)(b) (b) Sign composition. The composition of the specific information signs shall be the same as specified for expressway intersections under sub. (8) (b).

Trans 200.06(9)(c) (c) Sign size. Each business sign shall be contained within a 24-inch-wide and 18-inch-high rectangular background area, including border. All letters used in the name of the type of motorist service and the directional legend shall be 4-inch capital letters.

Trans 200.06(10) (10) Compliance with federal law. The department may promulgate an emergency administrative rule under s. 227.24, Stats., that supersedes this chapter whenever federal standards become more restrictive than this chapter.

Trans 200.06(11) (11) Sign removal.

Trans 200.06(11)(a) (a) The department may remove a business sign at any time for any of the following reasons:

Trans 200.06(11)(a)1. 1. Failure to comply with any of the restrictions under sub. (1);

Trans 200.06(11)(a)2. 2. Failure to comply with any of the motorist service standards under sub. (2);

Trans 200.06(11)(a)3. 3. Failure to comply with any application or permit renewal requirement under sub. (3).

Trans 200.06(11)(a)4. 4. Failure to receive timely payment of any fee required by the department under sub. (4);

Trans 200.06(11)(a)5. 5. Failure to comply with any signing criteria under sub. (6) (a);

Trans 200.06(11)(a)6. 6. Failure to comply with an emergency rule promulgated by the department to comply with more restrictive federal standards under sub. (10);

Trans 200.06(11)(a)7. 7. Failure to have a valid business sign permit approved by the department at the time the sign is removed;

Trans 200.06(11)(a)8. 8. Failure to comply with any condition of any business sign permit;

Trans 200.06(11)(b) (b) The department may also remove a business sign to facilitate construction, maintenance or utility work within the limits of the public highway, including sign erection or maintenance, when approved by the department. The department shall provide restoration of the sign upon completion of the work.

Trans 200.06(11)(c) (c) Removal of a business sign by the department shall not be stayed by the filing of any contested case, by any appeal of the department’s decision or order to remove the sign, or while the final decision is pending in any contested case or appeal.

Trans 200.06(11)(d) (d) Removal of a business sign by the department as a result of the department’s denial of a permit renewal shall not be stayed pending the final decision in any contested case or any appeal of the department’s denial of the permit renewal.

Trans 200.06(11)(e) (e) The department may remove a business sign at any time for any reason stated in this subsection whether the reason for removal occurs before or after issuance of the permit by the department, renewal or denial of the permit, or erection of the sign.

Trans 200.06(11)(f) (f) The department may remove a business sign at any time for any reason stated in this subsection whether the reason for removal results from action or inaction of the department, an applicant, permittee, the department’s contractor, or any other person or any other event or occurrence. The department shall provide for restoration of the sign, or refund, if the removal results from an error of the department or the department’s contractor in locating the sign.

Trans 200.06(12) (12) 

Trans 200.06(12)(a) (a) Priority. The department will establish an initial application period for “ATTRACTION” category signs ending the first day of the second month commencing after the effective date of this chapter. If, after review by the advisory committee, there are more eligible applicants than spaces available at any one location, priority will be given to those eligible “ATTRACTIONS” recommended by the advisory committee and closest to the intersection or exit. When there is any eligible attraction within the first 3 miles from the intersection or exit that has applied, no applicants outside the 3-mile distance may be approved. Remaining applications will be retained for consideration when space becomes available for attractions at that location. Following the initial application period when opportunities arise to replace or add an attraction to a specific information sign, the applications on file for that sign location will be referred to the advisory council for review of current eligibility. The advisory council report will be used by the department in determining which applicant will be approved. The department will select the eligible attraction closest to the intersection or exit. When 2 or more eligible attractions exist at the same distance from the intersection or interchange, the date the application was received may be used as a tiebreaker. After the sign has been erected, attractions cannot be removed from a sign based on distance alone.

Trans 200.06(12)(b) (b) Distance. If the attraction is greater than 3 miles but less than the 5-mile limit from the highway interchange, the ramp sign shall include the number of miles to that location as part of the business logo. The ramp sign shall also include the number of miles to the location if the distance limit for the category of “ATTRACTION” is increased by a statutory enactment of the Wisconsin Legislature that is consistent with federal law.

Trans 200.06(12)(c) (c) Seasonal attractions. If the attraction is seasonal, the attraction business sign will be removed or covered with a closed plaque during the off-season. If a waiting list exists, the department may offer the spot temporarily, but the seasonal business will go back on the sign during the next “open” season.

Trans 200.06 Note Note: A different rate may be necessary to accommodate seasonal businesses due to the increased maintenance necessary.

Trans 200.06 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1984, No. 339, eff. 4-1-84; emerg. am. (1) (intro.), (a) to (h), (k), (q), (3) (e) and (f), (4) (a), (5) (a) and (b), (6) (e) 2., (7) (a) 4., r. (1) (a) and (b), (3) (d), (4) (b) to (d), cr. (1) (x), (3) (i), (5) (d), and (12), r. and recr. (3) (g), eff. 6-13-86; am. (1) (intro.), (e), (h), (k), (q), (3) (e) and (f), (5) (a) and (b), (6) (e) 2. and (7) (a) 4., r. (1) (a) and (b) and (3) (d), cr. (1) (x), r. and recr. (3) (g), Register, September, 1986, No. 369, eff. 10-1-86; am. (1) (d), (f) to (h), (k), (3) (f) and (5) (a), renum. (4) (a) to be (4) and am., r. (4) (b) to (d), cr. (3) (i), (5) (d) and (12), Register, February, 1987, No. 374, eff. 3-1-87; am. (1) (intro.), (h), (p), (2) (intro.), (6) (e), (7) (b) and (8) (a) 2., r. (1) (e), (x), (2) (a) to (d), (3) (b) and (6) (d), r. and recr. (6) (a), (c), (7) (c) 1. and (8) (b), renum. (12) to be (3) (a) 2. and am., Register, July, 1992, No. 439, eff. 8-1-92; correction in (9) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 1999 No. 519; CR 05-082: r. and recr. (7) (b) 3., am. (7) (c) 1. Register February 2006 No. 602, eff. 3-1-06; CR 06-103: am. (2) and (7) (c) 1., cr. (2g), (2r) and (12) Register July 2007 No. 619, eff. 8-1-07; corrections in (3) (a) 1., (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686; CR 12-046: am. (7) (b) 3. a. Register December 2013 No. 696, eff. 1-1-14.

Trans 200.07 Trans 200.07 Disabled parking signs.

Trans 200.07(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to define and illustrate the design, size and installation requirements of the official traffic signs required under s. 346.503 (1m), Stats., related to reserved parking spaces for individuals with disabilities.

Trans 200.07(2) (2) Sign description.

Trans 200.07(2)(a) (a) The sign shall consist of a white rectangle with longer dimension vertical, having green message, a green arrow, if required under this section, and a blue and white international symbol for the barrier-free environments. The sign may be reflective or non-reflective.

Trans 200.07(2)(b) (b) The sign shall include the words “reserved parking” and the words “vehicles with VET or DIS plates or state disabled card”or other words with a similar meaning.

Trans 200.07(2)(c) (c) The size of the sign shall be not less than 12 inches by 18 inches. When used on a highway with a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour, it shall be not less than 18 inches by 24 inches.

Trans 200.07(2)(d) (d) A right arrow, left arrow or the words “This Stall” or similar wording shall be included near the bottom of the sign.

Trans 200.07(3) (3) Sign placement. Each sign shall be erected on an adequate support. On highways, the vertical distance from roadway to the bottom of a sign shall be not less than 7 feet, except when overhead obstructions necessitate a lower height. In off-highway parking lots, the vertical distance from the parking lot surface, or top of curb if any, to the bottom of a sign shall be not less than 4 feet. A single sign with the message “This Space” or similar wording shall be used to designate a single reserved space. At least 2 signs are required for multiple reserved spaces. When 2 signs are used they shall be located at the outermost limits of the spaces reserved and, by arrow, designate the location of the reserved spaces.

Trans 200.07(3)(a) (a) A sign shall be located at the end of an angled or right-angled space and shall be set to face a motorist entering the space.

Trans 200.07(3)(b) (b) When the reserved space is parallel to the edge of a roadway, a sign shall be set at an angle of approximately 30° with the line of traffic.

Trans 200.07(4) (4) Signs which are in place prior to May 1, 1983 may remain in place and have the same effect as the signs described herein for 5 years after May 1, 1983 provided that they include the international symbol for barrier-free environments and the wording required under sub. (2) (b) either as part of the original sign or on a supplementary plaque or plaques. The requirements under sub. (3) do not apply to these signs.

Trans 200.07 History History: Cr. Register, April, 1983, No. 328, eff. 5-1-83; r. (5), Register, September, 1986, No. 369, eff. 10-1-86; correction made in (4) under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 14., Stats., Register, July, 1992, No. 439; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2012 No. 675; CR 22-048: am. (title), (1) Register July 2023 No. 811, eff. 8-1-23.

Trans 200.08 Trans 200.08 Tourist-oriented directional signs.

Trans 200.08(1) (1) Signs permitted. The department and local authorities that have adopted an enabling ordinance may authorize the erection and maintenance of tourist-oriented directional signs within highways under their jurisdiction subject to the provisions of s. 86.196, Stats., and the following restrictions:

Trans 200.08(1)(a) (a) No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected or maintained by an applicant.

Trans 200.08(1)(b) (b) No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected or maintained for any business that has a guidance sign erected on a right-of-way under s. Trans 200.03 on the same road, in the same direction, unless the guidance sign is removed before the tourist-oriented directional sign is erected.

Trans 200.08(1)(c) (c) No tourist-oriented directional sign may be installed or maintained directing to a tourist-oriented business, service or activity that is located within an urban area as defined by s. 86.196 (1) (c), Stats.

Trans 200.08(1)(d) (d) No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected or maintained that fails to conform with s. 86.19, 86.191, 86.196 or 346.41, Stats., or rules implementing or interpreting these statutes, as determined by the department.

Trans 200.08(1)(e) (e) No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected or maintained if the applicant has an outdoor advertising sign for the same business, service or activity in violation of s. 84.30, Stats., or ch. Trans 201.

Trans 200.08(1)(f) (f) Any person permitted to have a tourist-oriented directional sign shall provide for the installation and maintenance of any supplemental signing deemed necessary by the department to guide traffic to the tourist-oriented business, service or activity.

Trans 200.08(1)(g) (g)

Trans 200.08(1)(g)1. 1. No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected on a conventional state trunk highway directing to a tourist-oriented business, service or activity that is located on a freeway, expressway or any other conventional state trunk highway. Local authorities may adopt similar restrictions with reference to highways under their jurisdiction.

Trans 200.08(1)(g)2. 2. No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected on an expressway directing to a tourist-oriented business, service or activity that is located on a freeway or any other expressway.

Trans 200.08(1)(h) (h) No intersection tourist-oriented directional assembly may be erected or maintained at a location such that there exists another intersection between the assembly and the intersection at which the assembly applies. The department may authorize advance tourist-oriented directional assemblies in accordance with sub. (6) (d) and (e) at locations where 2 intersections are so closely spaced that it is not practical to install intersection tourist-oriented directional assemblies between the 2 intersections.

Trans 200.08(1)(i) (i) The location of an existing official traffic control device, or the need for a new device, shall take precedence over the location of a tourist-oriented directional sign, either existing or proposed.

Trans 200.08(1)(j) (j) The department reserves the right to require the relocation or removal of tourist-oriented directional signs, if necessary, for the safety of the traveling public, to install official traffic signs at or in the vicinity of existing tourist-oriented directional signs.

Trans 200.08(1)(k) (k) When there are more tourist-oriented directional signs requested than the number that may be permitted, priority shall be given in the following order: