Today we are going to give you an overview of tourism highway signs and billboards in Ontario.
We've been in the custom sign industry for over 10 years and we'd love to share our expertise with you.
We'll take a closer look at the guidelines governing highway signs that advertise, including both tourism signs under the TODS program, and billboards (not road signs). So let's get started.
Canadian TODS Limited takes care of all tourism highway signs in Ontario
Highway Signs - Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing (TODS)
Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) are tourism signs that you see on Ontario's roadways.
These signs are mounted on larger blue background signs and are situated along the side of Ontario's highways just before the exit where the attraction is located.
The signs advertise tourism-oriented businesses and they advise motorists about tourism activities and services.
What the TODS Program Does
The TODS Program was put in place to promote and strengthen tourism all over Ontario by increasing awareness of Ontario's attractions and services that are located just off its provincial highways.
The program places large blue highway signs on Ontario's roads to help drivers locate various attractions, operations, and services.
Not only does this program help promote local tourism but it also helps traffic control by giving motorists sufficient notice about which exits to take.
Tourism highway signs help traffic control by giving motorists sufficient notice of which exits to take
Who Runs the TODS Program
The TODS program is run by an organization called Canadian TODS Limited under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport and the Ministry of Transportation.
Canadian TODS Limited takes care of all the marketing, administration, operational, and general oversight of these tourism highway signs.
Businesses Eligible for the TODS Program
The following categories of businesses can apply to advertise on one of Ontario's blue highway signs.
Accommodations
Golf Courses
Campgrounds
Tourism-Designated Outlet Malls
Regional/Local travel Information Centres
Conservation Areas
Natural Sites and Trails
Historical Sites
Museums
Water Theme Parks
Zoos and Animal Displays
Spas
Public Beaches
Rural Downtowns
To find out if your business would qualify for the TODS Program and for more information on how you can apply, you can call the Canadian TODS Limited office toll free a 1-888-263-93333 - or you can visit their website.
How to Have Your Business Advertised on Ontario Highway Signs
You can find all of the guidelines for applying to take part in the TODS program here. Fill in the online application form to be considered.
Billboard Highway Signs
According to the Ministry of Transportation, a billboard is a large sign that "contains a message that is not related to the property that the sign is located on."
Billboard guidelines vary depending if it is located in a rural or urban location
Billboard Sizes
In Ontario, there are various guidelines surrounding the height and size of billboards. These guidelines vary depending on whether the sign is:
In a rural area with a speed limit of more than 70 km/h or
In an urban area with a speed limit of less than 70 km/h
The Ministry of Transportation has the exact sizing requirements for billboards in Ontario.
Billboard messages
According to the Ministry of Transportation guidelines, the message on your billboard cannot "promote violence, hatred, or contempt against any identifiable group."
An identifiable group is defined as a portion of the public that is identifiable by their "colour, race, ancestry, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability."
You are allowed to change the message on your billboard. As long as the size of the billboard does not change when you change your message, you don't have to apply for a new permit.
You are also allowed to have a changeable message on your billboard and there are no restrictions as to the number of individual advertisements you display on your changeable message billboard.
You are allowed to change the message on your billboard without having to get a new permit
Billboard Placement
Where billboards are permitted, they must be placed no closer than 305 m (1,000ft) from another billboard on the same side of the road.
If there is, however, a left facing billboard on the opposite side of the highway, you cannot place another billboard on the right hand side opposite the left billboard. You must space it 305 m away.
Billboard Angles
You have to have your billboard angled properly as well. In relation to the centre line of the highway, your billboard must be placed at an angle equal to or greater than 45 degrees.
So if you were to draw an imaginary straight line from the face of your billboard to the centre line of the highway, the resulting angle has to be at least 45 degrees.
Billboard Permits
You need to get a sign permit from the Ministry of Transportation for your billboard sign. The permit needs to be renewed each year up to a maximum of five years. When the five years have passed, you need to apply for a new permit.
Billboards Attached to Buildings
You are allowed to affix a billboard to the side of a building that is located next to a highway in Ontario. The billboard cannot, however, exceed 8m (25 ft.) above the ground. A billboard that is attached to a building needs to be on the right side of the highway facing motorists.
AGC Signs - Trust Us to Make Any Type of Sign You Need!
You can trust AGC Signs to manufacture and install any type of signage you require, even billboards. We have over 10 years of experience in the signage industry in Ontario.
We strive to exceed industry standards by providing our clients with superior signage solutions through in-house custom design, fabrication, and installation.
We can help you consider all factors involved in the creation of your signage including structural requirements, municipal by-law requirements and permits, as well as the architectural features of the building where it will be located.
All of our technicians are highly skilled and extremely hard-working and we use only top-of-the-line equipment. You can trust us to do the job right; we do all of the work ourselves and never subcontract it out. Contact us today for a quote.
"I worked with AGC Signs on a signage project and was really happy with how it turned out. Rhonda took the time to explain to me how everything works and we went back and forth a few times looking at proofs. She was super helpful and I'm really happy with the quality of work I received. Would definitely recommend!"
- Lisa Ng
Read more Reviews
