Custom Street Name Signs for HOAs, Neighborhoods, and Private Roads
Published
Introduction
Whether they dot street corners around town or hang overhead from span wires, Street Name Signs are essential to navigating roads and wayfinding. HOAs, gated communities, subdivisions, and private road owners choose custom Street Name Signs to build a distinct visual identity. There’s a way to make that happen while staying MUTCD-compliant.
What the MUTCD Says
Public or private, the MUTCD applies to roads open to public travel. Neighborhoods, subdivisions, and HOAs without a gate fall under this rule, so custom Street Name Signs still have to be MUTCD-compliant (1B.01).
The national standard doesn’t apply to any parking area or to private gated properties where the public is shut out at all times (1B.01). In those areas, Street Name Signs have more freedom in their design. Although federal standards don’t apply, state and local rules may specify their own design requirements. For more, see When Should You Use a Standard MUTCD Sign vs. a Custom Sign?
Who Uses Custom Street Name Signs?
Custom street signs are used by the people who manage properties with internal roads (see What Every Property Owner Needs to Know). Street Name Signs need to clearly identify street names, while their custom design contributes to a property’s polished, professional appearance.
Developers and residential property managers use custom signs at:
- HOAs
- Subdivisions
- Gated communities
- Apartment complexes
Commercial and institutional properties open to the public can also use MUTCD-compliant custom signs:
- Industrial parks
- Business campuses
- Hospitals
- Universities
Flat Blade vs. Extruded Street Name Signs
There are two material styles: flat blade signs and extruded signs. For flat blade signs, the aluminum is completely flat, while for extruded signs, the aluminum has thick top and bottom ribs and is thicker overall. Each style has its own distinct benefits.
Flat Blade Street Name Signs
Our flat blade Street Name Signs are .080 inch aluminum with radius corners, 18 to 48 inches wide, and double-sided.
- Economical
- Lightweight
- Widely used on private roads
Extruded Street Name Signs
- Thicker aluminum
- Longer service life
- Often used by higher-end developments
Municipalities may prefer flat blade signs for their cost-effectiveness or they may prefer extruded signs for their increased wind resistance and longevity.
MUTCD Rules for Street Name Signs
On roads open to public travel, a custom Street Name Sign still has to meet these four rules:
| Rule | What the MUTCD Says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lettering | Street names must use an upper-case first letter with lower-case letters after it, like “Maple Ave,” not “MAPLE AVE.” | 2D.45 |
| Color | Green with white letters is standard. The only other backgrounds allowed are blue or brown with white letters, or white with black letters. | 2D.45 |
| Letter size | Two-lane roads: 6-inch capitals and 4.5-inch lower-case letters. Local two-lane streets at 25 mph or less: 4-inch capitals and 3-inch lower-case letters may be used. Overhead signs: 12-inch capitals and 9-inch lower-case letters. | Table 2D-6 |
| Placement | In residential areas, at least one Street Name Sign at each intersection, naming both streets. Double-sided signs are recommended so pedestrians can read them too. | 2D.45 |
Letter sizes are recommended minimums for the street name. Block numbers and descriptors like “Ave” may be smaller.
See MUTCD Guide Signs Explained for more on Street Name Sign colors.
Popular Customization Options
Street Name Signs with block numbers or address ranges are a common customization choice for property owners, as outlined in Section 2D.45. This information is added to the left or right of the street name to make navigation, emergency response, and service access faster and easier. Have questions about ordering? See our Street Name Sign FAQ. Block numbers can be smaller than the street name, but should be at least two-thirds its height and no less than 3 inches.
Some examples of these additions include:
- “100 Block”
- “200 Block”
- “600-625” address range
- Left/right directional arrows
Adding other custom logos or branding to Street Name Signs is only available for private gated properties. When customizing the Street Name Sign, avoid cluttering the sign or losing contrast between colors.
Widely used additions include:
- HOA logos
- Subdivision branding
- Neighborhood names
- Development identifiers
The MUTCD allows Street Name Signs with a pictograph that represents the municipality. This also applies to government-approved entities such as universities, airports, and military bases (2D.45). The logo can be no taller or wider than the street name’s capital letters, should be placed to the left of the name, and should not be used on a sign with arrows. It is allowed only on post-mounted signs, not overhead ones.
Reflectivity, Durability, and Protective Overlays
A visible sign is an effective sign—the retroreflective sheeting required for Street Name Signs ensures that signs remain easily seen in bright daylight, low light, and at nighttime (2D.45).
We provide two sheeting options for Street Name Signs:
- High-intensity prismatic (HIP) – meets the federal retroreflectivity requirements
- Full-cube prismatic (FCP) – meets retroreflectivity requirements, and some cities require it
Anti-graffiti street signs use a special, protective overlaminate that makes cleaning paint and markers much easier and faster. The optional addition of the overlay can extend the usable life of the sign.
Fonts, Readability, and MUTCD Considerations
MUTCD design standards apply to private roads that are open to public travel. For street name signage, those standards include using specific fonts, colors, and layouts for readability, described in detail in Sections 2A.04 and 2D.45.
For fully private developments, municipalities may allow color customization and incorporating logos into the Street Name Sign. In both cases, the custom design needs to prioritize the visibility of the street name itself and not decorative elements.
Conclusion
For private uses of Street Name Signs, make sure to follow local jurisdiction requirements on reflectivity, readability, placement, mounting height, and more. Your uniquely designed sign can accommodate customizations that don’t interfere with the most important element—the street name itself. Design yours in our custom street sign builder, and find street name sign brackets and specialty hardware to mount them.
