Applying for "Welcome to" signs

The intent of “welcome to” signage is to allow communities to provide motorists a sense of arrival to their area. There are two types of “welcome to” signs available in NB – “welcome to a municipality” sign and “welcome to a region” sign.

These signs are allowed on the backslope within the highway right-of-way of any highway in NB and are subject to standards for signing within the right-of-way. If municipalities wish to have more flexibility in the design of their “welcome to” sign , the sign must be installed at least one metre outside the highway right-of-way. Locations must be approved through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. In situations where access at an interchange could be for more than one municipality. allowing more than one municipality on a “welcome to” sign will be considered. In cases where an area is bypassed, a “welcome to a region” sign may be allowed in place of a “welcome to” municipality sign.

All costs associated with the manufacture, installation and maintenance of a “welcome to” sign are the responsibility of the municipality or region.

Information permitted on a “welcome to” sign:

• The name of the municipality or region
• A slogan for the municipality or region
• A distance or exit number if applicable
• A community event/ information bar
• Additional service symbols approved by the department (up to a maximum of five) may also be added to a “more information” bar

Location determination is based on the following standards.

4-lane level I and level II highways

• If the curve is signed, no advertisements 500 metres before the curve to 200 metres beyond the curve
• 500 metres from a DTI guide sign
• 250 metres from another advertisement 

2-lane level I, level II highways

• If the curve is signed, no advertisements 500 metres before the curve to 200 metres beyond the curve
• 400 metres from a DTI guide sign 
• 250 metres from another advertisement
• 400 metres from an intersection

Arterial highways

• If the curve is signed, no advertisements 300 metres before the curve to 100 metres beyond the curve
• 400 metres from a DTI guide sign
• 250 metres from another advertisement
• 400 metres from an intersection

Collector highways routes numbered 100 to 199

• If the curve is signed, no advertisements 300 metres before the curve to 100 metres beyond the curve
• 300 metres from a DTI guide sign
• 250 metres from another advertisement
• 300 metres from an intersection

Local highways routes numbered 200 to 999 and local named roads

• 100 metres from a curve
• 200 metres from a DTI guide sign
• 200 metres from another advertisement
• 150 metres from an intersection with an arterial or collector highway
• 100 metres from an intersection with another local highway

• Apply to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Complete the application for commercial signage permit (note that an application must be submitted for each sign separately)
  • Email the form and sign design in colour to [email protected]
• Approval by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure 
  • The department is responsible for approving the design and location of the sign before the sign is fabricated and a letter of approval will be issued
  • The department can approve, reject or return an application for more information