Today we are going to give you an overview of advertising road signs, including billboards and blue tourism signs in Ontario, plus outline where you can buy them.
We've been in the custom sign industry for over 10 years, and we'd love to share our expertise with you!
Here, we'll take a closer look at the guidelines governing advertising road signs, including both billboards and the blue tourism signs under the TODS program (not traffic signs such as stop and yield). So let's get started.
Advertising on a roadside is a great way to get your message seen - Image Source: DailyBillboardBlog
Advertising Road Signs
Highways and roads are great places to advertise your business. Any type of business could benefit from advertising signage along the road as thousands of motorists will see it every day.
We’re going to tell you how you can get your business noticed on Ontario’s roadways by providing you with the guidelines surrounding:
Billboards
Blue Tourism Road Signs
Billboard Advertising
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." As such, billboards are a great form of advertising as they are seen by thousands of motorists passing by each day.
Billboards in Ontario have sizing restrictions you need to be aware of
Billboard Sizes
Before you construct a billboard, you need to understand the sizing restrictions. 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
For example, a billboard located in a rural area with a posted speed limit of more than 70 km/h must not be higher than 8 metres in height above the ground.
The Ministry of Transportation website outlines the exact sizing requirements for billboards in Ontario.
The Ministry of Transportation restricts the height and size of billboards in Ontario - Image Source: DailyBillboardBlog
Billboard messages
They should be clear: The words, pictures, or graphics on your billboard are very important because they are what gets your message across. You want your message to be clear and concise so that it can be easily read by passing motorists.
They should not be offensive: There are restrictions about what messages are not allowed on a billboard. According to the Ministry of Transportation guidelines, your message 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."
They can be changed: 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.
Your billboard message needs to be clear and easy to read
- Image Source: DailyBillboardBlog
Billboard Permits
In Ontario, 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. If you work with a professional sign company to make your billboard for you, they should be able to advise you on how to get the necessary permits.
Billboard Placement
Placement of billboards is also regulated. 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 your billboard on the right hand side directly opposite the left billboard. You must space it 305 m away.
You require a permit to put up a billboard in Ontario - - Image Source: DailyBillboardBlog
Billboard Angles
The angle of your billboard is also important. Your billboard must be placed at an angle equal to or greater than 45 degrees in relation to the centre line of the highway.
This means that if you drew an imaginary line from the face of your billboard to the centre line of the highway, the resulting angle needs to be at least 45 degrees.
Billboards Attached to Buildings
If you want to install your billboard on the side of a building that is located next to a highway in Ontario, your billboard cannot be higher than 8m (25 ft) above the ground. In addition, a billboard that is attached to a building needs to be located on the right side of the highway facing motorists.
Where You Can Get a Billboard Made
If you would like to have a billboard or any other type of custom signage made for your business, contact AGC Signs. Our professional designers can help you design your custom billboard, and we can manufacture and install it for you, making sure that it meets all government requirements.
Blue Tourism Road Signs
Tourism signs are also a popular form of highway advertising
Another popular form of advertising road signs are Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing (TODS). TODS are tourism road signs that you will see along Ontario's highways.
These signs are mounted on larger blue background signs and are placed at the side of the road just before the exit that you would take to get to the advertised attraction.
The signs tell motorists about tourism-oriented businesses and they advise you about tourism activities and services.
What Does the TODS Program Do?
The TODS Program is responsible for all the large blue highway signs on Ontario's roads to help drivers locate various attractions, operations, and services.
It 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.
Not only does this program help promote local tourism, but it also helps traffic control by giving you lots of advance notice about what exit you need to take to get to these attractions.
TODS manufactures and installs tourism signs at Ontario highway exits - Image Source: TODS Canada
Who Is Responsible for 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 road signs.
What Types of Businesses Can Advertise with TODS Road Signs?
The following is a list of businesses that are eligible to apply to TODS to advertise on one of Ontario's blue road signs through the TODS program.
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 can take part in 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.
For Any Type of Sign You Need, Trust AGC Signs!
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 hard-working. We also 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
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