ADA-Compliant Signs in Wyoming

ADA-compliant signs must include Grade 2 Braille — also known as contracted Braille. This is not the same as Grade 1 Braille, which translates each letter individually. Grade 2 Braille uses contractions and shorthand for common letter combinations and words (for example, "the" is represented by a single character rather than three separate letters). This is the standard Braille system used by proficient Braille readers and the only form accepted under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

The ADA specifies exact dimensional requirements for Braille dots on signage. Every sign we produce is manufactured to meet these tolerances:

Production method matters. There are two primary methods for producing ADA Braille: raster Braille and photopolymer Braille. Raster Braille uses individual beads or pins inserted into drilled holes in the sign substrate — it's extremely durable and ideal for high-traffic environments like hospitals, schools, and government buildings. Photopolymer Braille is formed as part of a molded overlay that includes both the tactile text and Braille dots — it produces a clean, integrated look and is the more common method for standard commercial applications. Both methods produce compliant Braille when manufactured correctly. We use the method best suited to each project's durability needs and budget.

For more details on ADA signage requirements in Wyoming, read our complete guide: ADA-Compliant Signage in Wyoming: What Business Owners Need to Know.

Beyond Braille, ADA signs must include raised (tactile) characters that can be read by touch. The 2010 ADA Standards define specific requirements for these characters — and getting any single detail wrong means the sign is non-compliant. Here are the specifications we build to on every ADA sign:

We quality-check every sign against these specifications before it leaves our shop. If a tactile character doesn't meet the raised profile or a finish comes out too glossy, we remake it. There's no point installing a sign that won't pass inspection.

Even a perfectly fabricated ADA sign becomes non-compliant if it's mounted incorrectly. Mounting location and height are just as important as the sign itself — and this is where many buildings fail compliance checks. We handle installation on every project we produce, but if you're working with your own installer, here's what the code requires:

We install every sign with a laser level and measure from the finished floor — not from a subfloor or unfinished surface. On new construction projects, we coordinate with the general contractor to install signs after flooring is complete to ensure accurate mounting heights.

Photoluminescent exit signs are glow-in-the-dark signs that absorb ambient light during normal building operation and emit visible light during power outages or dark conditions — with no electricity, no batteries, and no wiring required. They use photoluminescent materials (typically strontium aluminate compounds) that charge continuously from overhead lighting and glow green for hours after the lights go out.

Code Requirements

Photoluminescent exit signs and egress path markings are addressed in the International Building Code (IBC) and the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. High-rise buildings, certain assembly occupancies, and buildings without emergency generator backup are increasingly required to install photoluminescent exit path markings. The signs must meet UL 924 listing requirements to be code-compliant.

Advantages Over Traditional Exit Signs

Wyoming Requirements

Wyoming adopts the IBC, which means photoluminescent exit path markings are required in specific occupancy types — primarily high-rise buildings and certain assembly and institutional occupancies. For most standard commercial buildings in Laramie and across Wyoming, photoluminescent exit signs are optional but increasingly popular as a cost-effective, zero-maintenance alternative to electrically powered exit signs. New construction projects increasingly spec photoluminescent signage to reduce long-term operating costs. We supply and install both photoluminescent and traditional illuminated exit signs depending on your building's code requirements and your preference.

Understanding the regulatory landscape is important because ADA signs in Wyoming fall under two separate enforcement frameworks — federal ADA law and state/local building codes. Here's how they interact:

Wyoming Adopts the IBC

Wyoming adopts the International Building Code (IBC) as its state building code. The IBC references the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities standard for accessibility requirements, including signage. This means that when your building goes through plan review and inspection, the local building department checks signage compliance against both ADA and ICC/ANSI A117.1. The two standards are very similar but not identical — we design to satisfy both.

Local vs. Federal Enforcement

Local building departments (City of Laramie, Albany County) enforce building code requirements through plan review and inspections during construction and renovation. If your signs don't meet code, you won't get your certificate of occupancy. Federal ADA enforcement is separate — it's handled through the Department of Justice and private lawsuits. A building can pass local inspection but still face an ADA complaint if signage doesn't meet the 2010 ADA Standards. We ensure our signs meet both standards so you're covered on all fronts.

State Fire Marshal's Office

Exit signage, emergency egress markings, and photoluminescent path markings fall under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's office in addition to local building code enforcement. The Fire Marshal reviews and inspects fire and life safety systems, including exit sign placement, illumination levels, and backup power requirements. When we install exit signs, we ensure compliance with both the building code and fire code requirements.

One of the most common questions we get from building owners in Laramie and across Wyoming is: "Does my building need ADA signs?" The answer depends on when the building was built and what you're doing with it now. Here's a breakdown of the triggers:

New Construction

Any building constructed after the ADA took effect (January 26, 1992) must be fully compliant with ADA accessibility standards, including all signage. There are no exceptions for building size, occupancy type, or location. If it was built after 1992 and serves the public or has employees, it needs ADA-compliant signs.

Renovations: The "Path of Travel" Rule

When you renovate an area of your building that affects usability (not just cosmetic updates), you're required to spend up to 20% of the total renovation cost on making the "path of travel" to the renovated area accessible. This includes signage along that path. For example, if you spend $50,000 renovating your second floor, you must spend up to $10,000 on accessibility improvements — including ADA signage — for the path from the building entrance to the renovated area. Signage is often one of the least expensive items in this calculation, so it's smart to address it first.

Existing Buildings: "Readily Achievable" Barrier Removal

For existing buildings that haven't been renovated, the ADA requires removal of barriers to access when it is "readily achievable" — meaning easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense. Since ADA signs typically cost $75–$250 each, replacing non-compliant signage is almost always considered readily achievable for any business. This is a low-cost compliance item that eliminates significant legal liability.

Change of Use or Occupancy

When a building changes its use or occupancy classification — for example, converting a warehouse into a restaurant, or an office building into a medical clinic — the new use triggers full accessibility compliance for the affected areas, including signage. This is common in downtown Laramie where older buildings are being repurposed.

Tenant Improvements

When a new tenant moves into a commercial space and makes improvements (new walls, new rooms, new layout), those improvements trigger ADA compliance for the tenant's space. If the landlord is responsible for common area signage and the tenant is responsible for their suite, both parties should ensure their respective signs meet code. We work with both landlords and tenants to coordinate building-wide compliance. For a deeper look at signage costs, see our guide: How Much Do Business Signs Cost?

ADA sign pricing depends on several factors beyond just the sign size. Here's what drives cost so you can budget accurately for your project:

We provide detailed, line-item quotes so you know exactly what you're paying for. No hidden fees, no surprise charges at installation. Request a free quote to get exact pricing for your project.

Wondering whether your existing signage needs attention? Our article on 5 Signs Your Business Sign Needs Replacing can help you decide when it's time for an upgrade.

ADA signage is one of the most detail-sensitive areas of the sign industry. There are strict requirements for letter height, raised text depth, Braille cell spacing, color contrast ratios, pictogram placement, mounting height, and finish (non-glare only). Get any of these wrong and you're out of compliance — and potentially liable.

At American Paintbrush, we stay current on ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010 ADA Standards) and all relevant IBC/ICC building code updates. We use photopolymer and raster Braille methods that produce tactile characters with the required 1/32" raised profile. Sign substrates are acrylic, photopolymer, or painted aluminum with matte finishes that meet the non-glare requirement.

We can produce one sign or outfit an entire building. For larger projects, we do a complete signage audit — walking every floor, identifying what's compliant and what's not, and delivering a full report with replacement recommendations. We handle fabrication, delivery, and installation with proper mounting heights (60" centerline from finished floor, on the latch side of the door).