On state roads, are real estate signs permitted? Depending on the state you live in or how strictly bootleg laws are enforced, the answer will vary. Directional signs, also known as bootleg signs because they are usually illegal (the term originates from the US’s Prohibition era, when illicit producers sold bootlegged liquor throughout the country), are used alongside highways to direct traffic to events, sales, or homes for sale. Therefore, although though the moniker is now more closely linked to the kind of sign than to their legality, in a technical sense, they are unlawful signs. The idea behind these signs is that because state personnel are off on weekends, it is unlikely that they would take action against these unlawful displays, which vanish by the time they go for work on Monday morning. buried deep in the psyche. Although I’m not aware of any problems, bootleg signs are legal in our region, so you’re free to use them anytime you’d like as long as you’re not on any county, city, or state rights of way. I don’t believe there is much enforcement in our region since even then, individuals still do it and the signs seem to have been up for a while. Do I need a sign permit in order to advertise outside? It varies according on the kind of outdoor advertising you’re doing. Generally speaking, no license or permission is required for temporary signs, such as banners or little bootleg signs, at least not in most places. To find out what your local code needs, you should contact your county or municipal building department, er, sign police. Now, if you plan to install a billboard or a permanent business sign, you should get these answers by getting in touch with a reliable local sign company. Since these businesses deal directly with the county, city, and state building departments, they will know where to find the information you require for your sign or other outdoor advertising. Who covers the cost of such privately owned signs? One thing is for certain: most private company owners’ signage will not be reimbursed by the government. If they did, the government would be more into the hole than it currently is, there would be an abundance of signs on the roadway, and everything would be a chaos. The state where you want your sign requires you to go through an application procedure, and usually only certain kinds of companies are allowed to advertise on these signs. These companies are the ones that provide services to travelers, such restaurants and gas stations. Therefore, unless your company is of this kind, you will firstly be unable to advertise on any highway or interstate signs, and in the event that you are, the cost of the sign will be borne by you. In my experience, most reputable sign shops can create the sign for you as long as they adhere to the necessary state or federal regulations. The cost is also often fair. for both interior and outdoor usage of custom-made company signs, visit www.visigraph.com/signs-letters/ About the Author: Barry K. Brown has over 20 years of experience in the sign, banner, decal, and display industries. Though he claims he knows too much to accomplish anything else, it’s not what he had planned to do with his life!