Temporary Parking Signs for Construction Sites

A construction site that does not get its temporary parking signs right loses two things at once: workforce time when subs cannot find the staging area, and neighbor goodwill when crew vehicles spill into the surrounding streets. The temporary sign package is also one of the few site controls that the general contractor must manage from day one. The pavement crew shows up later, the building permits are tied up in different hands, but the parking signs are the GC's responsibility from the day the dirt moves.

Below is the temporary sign package we install on Oregon construction sites, with the MUTCD work zone codes, OSHA construction rules, and Oregon BOLI worker-safety references each sign answers to.

Quick Answer

Construction site parking signs cover four functional zones: subcontractor and crew parking staging, public detour and re-routed parking near the construction zone, OSHA-compliant pedestrian routing past the site, and ADA access to permanent parking that remains in service during construction. The MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control) governs work zone signage, and a typical 6-month construction project needs 8 to 16 temporary signs, sized to the project site geometry and duration.

What Are the Federal Standards for Construction Zone Parking Signs?

Two federal documents control most temporary signage:

• MUTCD Part 6 (Temporary Traffic Control) governs any sign used in a public ROW work zone or where the construction work affects public traffic flow. Includes the W-series construction warning signs, R-series re-routing signs, and the orange-on-black work zone color standard.
• OSHA 1926 Subpart V governs pedestrian routing through and around active construction. The construction industry standards do not specify exact sign content but require "appropriate guarding" of pedestrian access through work zones.

The MUTCD is published at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009r1r2/part6/part6_toc.htm, and OSHA construction standards are at osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926.

What Sign Categories Does an Active Construction Site Need?

The temporary sign package depends on project type and site geometry, but most projects need:

• Crew and subcontractor staging: "CONSTRUCTION CREW PARKING ONLY" with the GC's company name and contact, posted at the staging entry.
• Trade-specific stall designation: "ELECTRICIANS," "PLUMBERS," "FRAMERS" at sites where trade scheduling is tight (less common, but used at fast-track and accelerated-delivery projects).
• Tow-away language: ORS 98.812-compliant "UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES TOWED" signs to keep the staging clear during off-shift hours.
• Public re-routing: Where construction impacts existing public parking, MUTCD R-series signs to redirect ("PARKING THIS WAY," "TEMPORARY ACCESS," "ENTRANCE CLOSED").
• Pedestrian routing: "PEDESTRIANS USE OPPOSITE SIDEWALK," "SIDEWALK CLOSED AHEAD" with MUTCD W11 series.
• ADA access continuity: "ACCESSIBLE ROUTE - THIS WAY" at any construction-affected accessible parking, ADA stalls relocated, or accessible route detours.

What Mounting Systems Work for Temporary Signs?

Temporary signs need to install fast, hold up to weather, and come down without leaving permanent damage. Three common mounting systems:

• Fence-mounted signs: Strapped or clamped to construction fencing. Cheapest, fastest install. Limited to the fence perimeter; cannot mount mid-yard.
• Reusable post systems: Steel U-channel or galvanized round post in temporary base (concrete-filled barrel or steel sled base). Higher upfront cost, fast move on site change, no ground penetration.
• Permanent-grade install: When the construction project is delivering parking that will be permanent at completion, install the permanent post system from day one and update the sign content as the site phases.

We default to the reusable post system at most active construction sites because it survives the project, repositions easily as phases shift, and avoids subbase damage from temporary footings.

How Do MUTCD Work Zone Color Standards Apply?

The MUTCD work zone series uses orange backgrounds with black legends, distinct from the standard yellow regulatory and warning signs. The color signals "active work zone" to drivers and is required on:

• Public roadway work zone warnings
• Pedestrian re-routing through public sidewalks
• Construction entry and exit advisories on public ROW

Inside the construction site itself, on private property under the GC's control, standard MUTCD R-series and W-series signs (with their normal color coding) are acceptable. The orange work zone series is required at the public-private interface.

How Cojo Approached a Real Example: 4-Story Mixed-Use, Bend, Active Construction 2026

A 4-story mixed-use construction project in Bend called us in February 2026 to install the temporary parking sign system at the start of the 14-month build cycle. The site had:

• 0.6 acre construction footprint with 0.3 acres of staging
• 4 GC and sub access points around the perimeter
• 1 ADA accessible route detour during sidewalk reconstruction
• 1 public parking lot adjacent that remained operational
• An estimated 35 to 60 trade vehicles per day at peak

Our scope:

• 4 GC staging entrance signs ("CONSTRUCTION CREW PARKING - VIOLATORS TOWED - ORS 98.812")
• 6 reusable U-channel posts on concrete sled bases throughout the staging area
• 4 MUTCD work zone series signs at the public-private interface ("CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AHEAD," "SIDEWALK CLOSED USE OPPOSITE SIDE")
• 2 W11-2 pedestrian crossing warnings at the relocated pedestrian route
• 2 ADA accessible route detour signs ("ACCESSIBLE ROUTE - THIS WAY") at the existing public lot
• 1 fire-lane sign at the temporary construction-vehicle access aisle

Total install ran in the $4,200 to $5,800 range, consistent with the Industry Baseline Range for a 19-sign construction site package.

Industry Baseline Range

Current Market Reality

Aluminum sign blanks are up 11 percent year over year, MUTCD work zone orange sheeting carries 3 to 4 week lead times, and reusable concrete sled bases jumped 15 percent in 2025 due to steel pricing. GCs scoping a 2026 project should budget 20 to 30 percent above 2023 install pricing for the temporary sign package.

What Sheeting Grade Should Construction Sites Specify?

Construction signs see 6 to 24 months of weather, vandalism, and physical impact. Default specification:

• Sign blank: 0.080-inch aluminum minimum. Plastic temporary signs degrade in PNW winters.
• Sheeting: ASTM D4956 Type III high-intensity prismatic minimum on all signs. Type IV diamond grade on any sign at the public-private interface.
• Mounting: Reusable U-channel post on concrete sled base, or fence-mounted with ratchet straps for perimeter signs.
• Replaceable face design: Sign blanks designed for face-replacement so the same post system can be re-purposed across multiple project phases.

What Should the GC Verify Before Closing the Construction Sign Job?

A defensible construction sign install gives the GC:

1. MUTCD Part 6 compliance check on any sign at the public-private interface.
2. Photo log with GPS for every installed sign.
3. Material cert sheets for sheeting grade.
4. Local jurisdiction permit numbers (some Oregon municipalities require sign permits for any work zone signage).
5. ADA accessible route continuity verified for the entire construction phase.
6. Removal and storage plan for project closeout.

The sixth item is the one most often forgotten until two weeks before delivery, and the project loses 1 to 2 weeks of schedule recovery time on it.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between MUTCD Part 6 work zone signs and standard MUTCD parking signs?

A: MUTCD Part 6 governs Temporary Traffic Control. Work zone signs use orange backgrounds with black legends to signal "active work zone" to drivers. Standard MUTCD R-series (regulatory) and W-series (warning) signs use white or yellow backgrounds with black legends for permanent installations. Both are required at construction sites: orange at the public-private interface, standard colors inside the site under GC control.

Q: Are temporary parking signs at construction sites enforceable for towing?

A: Yes, if the sign content includes ORS 98.812-compliant tow-away language and the towing company's name and phone number. ORS 98.812 applies to any private property in Oregon, including active construction sites. The tow-away authority does not depend on the sign being permanent.

Q: How long do reusable construction sign systems typically last?

A: A reusable U-channel post on a concrete sled base, with ASTM D4956 Type III sheeting on a 0.080 aluminum sign blank, typically survives 4 to 6 construction projects with periodic refresh of the sign face. The base and post move from project to project; the face replaces every 18 to 24 months or as project content changes.

Q: Does the GC need a sign permit from the local jurisdiction?

A: For signs on public ROW or work zone signs at the public-private interface, most Oregon municipalities require a permit. Sign permits are typically bundled with the construction traffic management plan submitted at project start. Inside the construction site on private property, sign permits are usually not required, but local code should be verified site-by-site.

Q: What's the most common construction site sign mistake?

A: Skipping the ADA accessible route detour. When construction work affects an existing accessible route to a building entrance, the GC must provide a continuous accessible alternate route and sign it clearly. ADA enforcement applies to construction-affected access, and the U.S. Access Board has issued guidance specifically on construction-zone accessibility (access-board.gov).

Next Step

Cojo installs temporary parking sign packages for construction sites across Oregon with reusable post systems, MUTCD Part 6 compliance, and ADA accessible route continuity. Compare options in our parking sign buyer's guide, or request a site walk for your project.