More Ohio roads can are now eligible for scenic byways designation, thanks to legislative changes in the transportation budget bill that went into effect July 1, 2021. Any state, county, municipal, or township road or highway can now apply for a designation. Prior to this change, only interstate system, national highway system, or primary system roads were eligible for designation.

For outdoor advertising permitting, the Ohio Department of Transportation will defer to local zoning regulations. ODOT’s Office of Advertising Device Control (ADC) will remain the initial point of contact for segmentation requests for all outdoor advertising devices located on interstate, national highway system, and primary system routes located on designated scenic byways. ODOT’s Office of Environmental Services, in coordination with the Ohio Scenic Byway Advisory Committee (SBAC) will be the initial point of contact for segmentation requests for all other routes located on designated scenic byways.

All new or modified signs on non-interstate/national highway system/primary system routes must be presented to ODOT/SBAC for segmentation to ensure compliance. ODOT/SBAC will rely on each individual byway to establish notice procedures with each local jurisdiction.

For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Transportation’s website.