TOURIST SIGNS (TODS)

TODS

About TOD Guide Signs

Tourist-oriented directional signs (TODS) provide travelers with directional guidance to business, service and activity facilities available along primary and secondary roadways (not interstates).

TODS assemblies may only be installed within public right of way maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation and will be excluded from any cities and towns of 5,000 or more population, Arlington County and Henrico County. The Virginia Department of Transportation will not acquire rights of way or easements, or otherwise enter into agreements for the purposes of installing TODS assemblies.

TODS participants pay an application fee, as well as an annual fee for each sign panel. Virginia Logos is responsible for all costs associated with the construction and maintenance of the TODS structures.

Pricing

Application Fee
$100
Base annual fee of $450 per panel
One time application fee
No installation cost
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TODS Panel
$37.50
per month
Base annual fee of $450 per panel
One time application fee
No installation cost
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Trailblazer Panel
$8.33
per month
Base annual fee of $100 per TODS trailblazer
No installation cost
No installation cost
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TODS General Requirements – Category I

Participation Criteria adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation board. Revised by VDOT November 9th, 2018.

A facility will 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 Acceptable TODS Sites 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 6 hours a day, 5 days a week during the normal season of operation for this type of business (generally 12 weeks), except this requirement shall not apply to certain facilities such as arenas, auditoriums, civic centers, farmers markets, flea markets and drive-in theaters.
Wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries shall offer tours of the production process during the posted hours of operation.
Shall be licensed and approved by the appropriate state and/or local agencies regulating the particular type of business or activity.
CAMPING businesses shall meet Specific Travel Service (LOGO) Program criteria to be eligible for participation
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 case of dispute or other disagreements 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.

Integration of Winery Signing Program – For Additional criteria and considerations regarding wineries pleas click here.

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.

Category I Acceptable Sites – TODS

Cultural

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

Recreational

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

Retail Tourism

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

Schools

Colleges & Universities *(main campus or satellite campus facilities)

Trails

Trails approved by VDOT
Virginia Wine

Other

Conference Centers
Power Plants
Research Facilities
Tourist Information Center

*Appendix

(1) The Department shall waive the minimum qualification requirements for participation in the TODS program, as may be necessary to provide adequate signing for facilities maintained by the agencies within Virginia’s Natural Resources Secretariat.

(2) Shall not be a franchise or part of a national chain. Category II Food can be a franchise or part of a national chain.

TODS General Requirements – Category II

Participation Criteria adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation board. Revised by VDOT November 9th, 2018.

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

Shall be located within three (3) miles of the intersection of a non-limited access state primary or secondary system highway where the initial TODS panel is to be located.
Shall meet the Specific Travel Services (Logo) Signing Program – Category II criteria below for their respective type of facility, and agree to be bumped in accordance with the Bumping Policy for a Category II facility.

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

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

GAS

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

A facility independently meeting all of the qualifications for a Gas service under the TODS Category II criteria, that also offers Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging / Alternative Fuel stations as approved by the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME), may display the appropriate VDOT and FHWA approved generic symbol for EV, CNG, LPG, E85 etc. fueling stations .

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:

Business/Commercial

Adult Entertainment Facilities
Funeral Homes
Industrial Parks or Plants
Media Facilities
Movie Theaters (1)
Office Parks
Radio Stations
Television Stations
Truck Terminals

(1) Indoor Movie Theaters with auditorium style seating, such as a Multiplex, are considered to be local attractions and are not eligible for signing as a regional attraction. This Exclusion does not apply to Dinner Theaters.

Governmental

Local Jails
Local Police/Sheriff Offices
Post Offices

Medical

Drug Rehabilitation Facilities Extended
Care Facilities
Fraternal Homes
Hospitals
Humane Facilities
Infirmaries
Mental Facilities
Nursing Homes
Retirement Homes
Sanitariums
Treatment Centers
Veterans Facilities

Miscellaneous

Animal Shelters
Cemeteries/Columbaria
Mobile Home Parks
Subdivisions
Veterinary Facilities

Religious

Cathedrals
Chapels
Churches
Mosques
Shrines
Synagogues
Temples
Other Religious Sites

TOURIST SIGNS (TODS)