Regulatory signs must inform of traffic laws and indicate applicability
Regulatory signs shall be used to inform road users of selected traffic laws or regulations and to indicate the applicability of the legal requirements.
Regulatory sign placement, visibility, and legibility
Regulatory signs shall be installed at or near where the regulations apply; they shall clearly indicate the requirements and be designed and installed to provide adequate visibility and legibility to obtain compliance.
Parking sign shape
Parking, standing, or stopping signs shall be rectangular or square.
Parking sign legend must state applicable regulations
The legend on parking signs shall state applicable regulations, and parking signs shall comply with the standards of shape, color, and location.
Prohibitive parking sign color and symbol
Prohibitive parking signs shall be used where parking is prohibited at all times or at specific times; except as otherwise provided, parking signs shall have a red legend and border on a white background and, when the parking prohibition symbol is used, the symbol "P" shall be black.
Permissive parking sign color
Permissive parking signs shall be used where only time-limited parking or parking in a particular manner is allowed and shall have a green legend and border on a white background.
Order of parking information on the sign
Parking information should be displayed from top to bottom in the order: (A) the restriction or prohibition; (B) times of day applicable; (C) days of week applicable; (D) qualifying/supplementary information; (E) exemptions; and (F) any tow-away message or symbol.
Showing limits of a parking regulation zone with arrows
If the regulation applies to a limited area or zone, the limits should be shown by arrows or supplemental plaques: a single-headed arrow at the end of a zone pointing in the direction the regulation is in effect, a double-headed arrow at intermediate points, and a right and left arrow at a transition point between two zones.
Posting times and days of parking regulations
The times and days for which the parking regulations are in effect shall be posted if they are not in effect at all times of day or all days of the week.
Alternate word messages for restriction zones
As an alternate to arrows to show designated restriction zones, the word messages BEGIN, END, HERE TO CORNER, HERE TO ALLEY, and THIS SIDE OF SIGN may be used.
Use of R8 series single no-parking signs
The R8 series signs may be used where sufficient notice of a parking prohibition is satisfied by single signs; NO PARKING ON PAVEMENT (R8-1) or NO STOPPING ON PAVEMENT (R8-5) may be used in rural areas where parking is allowed on unpaved shoulders; NO PARKING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-2) or NO STOPPING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-6) may be used where an adjacent paved shoulder allows parking; the R8-3 symbol sign or word message NO PARKING may be used to prohibit any parking along a roadway.
Snow Emergency Route sign
Where special parking restrictions are imposed during heavy snowfall or a declared snow emergency, a Snow Emergency Route (R7-203) sign should be installed with the legend modified to display the specific regulations; the upper section should display the snow emergency route designation in a white legend and border on a red background.
Metered parking maximum time limit display
If metered parking is subject to a maximum time limit, the appropriate time limit (number of hours or minutes) shall be displayed on the Metered Parking (R7-21 and R7-22) signs and, except as provided, on the Multi-space Parking Meter (R7-20) signs.
Accessible Parking sign requirement
Where parking spaces are reserved for persons with disabilities, the Accessible Parking (R7-8) sign shall be used to designate the space and shall display the official International Symbol of Accessibility.
VAN ACCESSIBLE plaque requirement
Where parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities are designed to accommodate wheelchair vans, a VAN ACCESSIBLE (R7-8aP) plaque shall be mounted below the R7-8 sign.
Combination prohibition/permissive sign sizing
Where parking is prohibited during certain hours and allowed during others, two 12 x 18-inch parking signs may be used with the red Parking Prohibition (R7-1) sign installed above or to the left of the green Permissive Parking (R7-108) sign; or a single sign (R7-200 or R7-200a) may be used.
NO PARKING words as alternative to symbol
The words NO PARKING may be used as an alternative to the No Parking symbol (R7-2a sign).
Tow-Away Zone plaque
A Tow-Away Zone (R7-201P or R7-201aP) plaque may be mounted below any parking prohibition sign; the word legend TOW-AWAY ZONE may be incorporated into the parking prohibition sign in lieu of a separate plaque. The R7-201P plaque may have a black or red symbol and border on a white background.
Minimum letter height for urbanized parking signs
In general, the letter height of the principal legend on parking signs sized for urbanized applications should be at least 2 inches.
Angle for signs with arrows indicating restricted zones
When signs with arrows are used to indicate the extent of restricted zones, the signs should be set at an angle of not less than 30 degrees or more than 45 degrees with the line of traffic flow to be visible to approaching traffic.
Sign orientation at perpendicular parking stalls
When signs are placed at the head of perpendicular parking stalls, the signs should be parallel to the roadway facing the parking stall.
Intermediate signs in long parking zones
If the zone is long, signs should be used at intermediate points within the zone.
Back-to-back signs at zone transition (90-degree mounting)
If signs are mounted at 90 degrees to the curb line, two signs should be mounted back to back at the transition point between two parking zones, each with an appended THIS SIDE OF SIGN (R7-202P) supplemental plaque.
Emergency Restriction sign design
Emergency Restriction signs shall be rectangular and shall have a black legend and border on a white background.
Emergency parking/stopping restriction sign use
The EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY (R8-4) sign or the EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY (R8-7) sign may be used to discourage or prohibit shoulder parking, particularly where scenic or other attractions create a tendency for road users to stop temporarily.
MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices
The MUTCD approved by the Federal Highway Administrator is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.
Parking areas excluded from MUTCD applicability
For MUTCD applicability, parking areas, driving aisles within parking areas, and private highway-rail grade crossings are not included in the definition of open to public travel.
State MUTCD substantial conformance requirement
Where State MUTCDs or Supplements are required, they shall be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD, conforming as a minimum to the Standard statements in the national MUTCD, and shall not contain statements that contravene or negate national MUTCD Standard or Guidance statements.
Two-year adoption of MUTCD changes
States and other Federal agencies shall adopt changes issued by the FHWA to the National MUTCD within two years from the effective date of the final rule.
Get a quote for this job
Send us the gear for post no-parking & tow-away zones in Federal baseline and we reply with pricing. No account needed.
We will reply with pricing shortly. Check your email for our response.
Sources
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.01)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.01)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.53)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.54)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.54)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.54)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.54)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.55)
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B - Regulatory Signs (Sec. 2B.01 and Secs. 2B.52-2B.55, Parking/Standing/Stopping and Emergency Restriction signs) (2B.55)
- 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards (MUTCD adopted as the national standard) (655.603(a))
- 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards (MUTCD adopted as the national standard) (655.603(a))
- 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards (MUTCD adopted as the national standard) (655.603(b)(1))
- 23 CFR 655.603 - Standards (MUTCD adopted as the national standard) (655.603(b)(3))
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with your local building department and the current standards before you build.
Report an error
Reporting:
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we check it against primary law.
Every report is checked against primary law. If it holds up, we correct the page and re-date it.