TOURIST SIGNS (TODS)

Drone

About TOD Guide Signs

Virginia Department of Transportation Transportation (VDOT), offers eligible businesses highway signage in the form of Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs (TODS). They’re an effective, affordable means to increase traffic to particular businesses located in rural Virginia.The TODS are placed on secondary roads within fifteen driving miles from the eligible highway near your business. The familiar large, eye-catching blue TODS are VDOT-approved, and they provide your company name while showing the direction and distance to your location.

Why TODS?

It’s simple: travelers and potential customers follow TODS to your business for the same reason they’ll avoid rusted or cheap signs on the side of the highway. TODS show that your business is an official tourist destination endorsed with an official sign by the state. Our eye-catching blue signs let any traveler know that your location is safe, clean, and in good standing.Plus, we take care of everything from artwork design and production to installation and removal.

Pricing

Application Fee
$100
per panel
One time application fee
Fee refunded if applicant does not qualify or can not be accommodated
No installation cost
Design and fabrication included in cost
Contact us

TODS Panel
$37.50
per month
Base annual fee of $450 per intersection
Fee refunded if applicant does not qualify or can not be accommodated
No installation cost
Design and fabrication included in cost
Contact us

Trailblazer Panel
$8.33
per month
Base annual fee of $100 per TODS trailblazer
No installation cost
Design and fabrication included
Design and fabrication included in cost
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TODS General Requirements – Category I

A facility shall be eligible to participate as a TODS Category I if it is open to the general public, if a substantial portion of its products or services are of significant interest to tourists, if it derives its major portion of income or visitors during the normal business season from road users not residing in the area of the facility [defined as within fifteen (15) miles], if the facility falls within one of the Approved TODS Sites, is not explicitly listed as an Excluded TODS Site, and if it meets the following criteria:

Shall be located within fifteen (15) miles of the intersection of a non-limited access state primary system highway where the initial TODS panel is to be located at the nearest primary intersection along the selected route.
Shall have the name of the facility prominently displayed on the premises in such a manner that it is readily visible to motorists from the public highway on which the business is located.
Shall be open a minimum of six (6) hours, five (5) days a week during at least a twelve (12) week consecutive period each year, except this requirement shall not apply to certain facilities such as arenas, auditoriums, civic centers, farmers, markets, farm markets, wineries, and flea markets.
Shall be in continuous operation at least six (6) hours a day, five (5) days a week during its normal season or the normal operating season for the type of business.
Shall be licensed and approved by the appropriate state and/or local agencies regulating the particular type of business or activity.

Comply with all applicable laws concerning the provision of public accommodations without regard to age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or accessibility by the physically handicapped.
Agree to abide by all rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and criteria associated with the TODS program.
Agree that in any cases of dispute or other disagreement with the rules, regulations, policies, procedures and criteria or applications of the TODS program, the decision of the State Traffic Engineer shall be final and binding.

CAMPING

Located within fifteen (15) miles of the intersection.
Possess valid permit to operate by the State Board of Health
Ten (10) or more camping units for rent or hire.
Off-street parking for each overnight camping unit.CAMPING businesses must meet the following additional criteria to be eligible for participation.
Continuous operation seven (7) days a week. Seasonal closing up to 120 consecutive days from Nov.1 to Apr.1 7.

ELIGIBLE FACILITIES

Cultural

Art/Craft Center; Gallery; Museum; Historic Building; Historic Cemetery; Historic Site; Historic District;

Recreational

Amphitheater; Amusement Park; Aquarium; Arboretum; Arena; Auditorium; Boat Landings/Marinas; Botanical Garden; Camps; Campgrounds; Civic Center; Coliseum; Concert Hall; Equestrian Center; Fairground; Golf Course; Natural Attraction; Natural Resource Agencies (1); Pavilion; National Park; Municipal Park; Privately Owned Park; Regional Park; Theme Park; Race Track; Ski Resort; Stadium; Water Oriented Business; Zoo

Retail Tourism

Agribusiness; Antique Businesses; Auction Houses; Bed and Breakfast; Brewery; Distillery; Farm Market; Farmers Market; Flea Markets; Nurseries/Greenhouses; Regional Retail Facilities; Restaurants (2); Winery

Trails

VDGIF Birding & Wildlife; Civil War; Virginia Wine; Others as approved by VDOT

Other

Colleges & Universities (main campus or satellite campus facilities); Conference Centers; Power Plants; Research Facilities

TODS General Requirements – Category II

In addition to the facilities listed as Acceptable TODS Sites, Gas, Food and Lodging establishments may participate in the TODS program as a TODS – Category II site provided they agree to be bumped in accordance with the bumping policy listed in Section 3.0206 and they meet all of the TODS – Category I criteria with the exceptions to the criteria noted below:

FOOD

Located three miles from intersection
State Board of Health permit
Indoor seating for 20 adults
12 consecutive hours/day – 6 days/week (open no later than 7:00 a.m.)
Hours posted on exterior of building

GAS

Located within 3 miles of intersection
Shall provide fuel, oil, tire repair (or info), air, free water
Public restroom
Drinking water with cups
12 hours/day – 7 days/week

LODGING

Located within 3 miles of intersection
State Board of Health permit
Four or more rooms for rent
Off-street parking for each room
Open 24 hours / day – 7 days/week

Q & A

How big are the sign panels?

Each sign panel is 18″ wide and 72″ tall with two lines for text.

What businesses are not eligible for TOD signs?

The following are excluded from participation in the Virginia Tourist-Oriented Directional Signing program:

Adult Entertainment Facilities; Funeral Homes; Industrial Parks or Plants; Media Facilities; Movie Theaters; Office Parks; Radio Stations; Truck Terminals; Local Jails; Local Police Offices; Post Offices; Drug Rehabilitation Facilities; Extended Care Facilities; Fraternal Homes; Hospitals; Humane Facilities; Infirmaries; Mental Facilities; Nursing Homes; Retirement Homes; Sanitariums; Treatment Center; Cathedrals; Chapels; Churches; Mosques; Shrines; Synagogues; Temples; Other Religious Sites; Animal Shelters; Cemeteries; Mobile Home Parks; Subdivisions; Veterinary Facilities; and Veterans Facilities.