To create a unified look and feel across Wellington County, and to distinguish us from our neighbours, we've had an ongoing tourism signage programme since 2015. Gateway signage, directional tourism signage, and community destination signs are located throughout the County.
Tourism signs can be purchased for $250 + HST per sign, per year
*Applicants paying a lump sum over a 3-year period will receive a 10% discount.
Blade Signs
The County uses blade signs strategically located along main County roads to highlight local tourism businesses. These large panel signs are meant to direct travellers heading towards an attraction, typically no closer than 1km and no farther than 30km away from the destination. There is room for a maximum of four blades on each sign.
Tourism Signage Application
We're excited to work with you! Please review the application criteria outlined in the Tourism Signage Policy below before submitting your application. Printable applications are available on request.
Tourism Signage Policy
We want each sign to be the most accessible to the visitor and be situated in a location that connects them to your product when they make the effort to travel here. The County of Wellington reserves the right to determine the best location for directional tourism signage.
This decision will be based upon, but is not limited to:
- Improving access
- Enhancing the experience
- Boosting visitation
The County of Wellington will administer all Directional Tourism Signage. The Programme will be administered through the Economic Development Department in partnership with the Roads Operation Division.
Economic Development Department:
- Promotion of the Signage Programme
- Approval or denial of signage applications
- Approval of signage symbol and content
- Collection of documents, fees and payment terms for tourism signage
- Coordination of signage order and installation
- Coordination with sign manufacturer
Roads Operation Division:
- Identify ideal signage locations
- Removal of tourism signage along County roads
- Ensuring maintenance and replacement of signage
The following requirements must be met to be eligible to participate in the County of Wellington Directional Tourism Signage programme. An asterisks (*) indicates criteria is derived from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) programme.
- The business must serve transient customers and be open to the general public.*
- The business must comply with all applicable Federal, Provincial and Municipal Legislation. *
- The business must be accessible by road open to traffic.*
- The business must be open to the public at least 12 consecutive weeks per year (unless specified otherwise).*
- The business must be open at least 5 days a week during its operating season, on advertised set days and times (unless specified otherwise).*
- The business must have a reception structure – a controlled gate, staffed reception and orientation point, or permanent interpretation panels or displays.*
- Only those tourism-based businesses and facilities listed in Appendix “A” will be permitted to participate.
- The business must have adequate parking on-site.
- Out-of-County businesses located within 25kms of the County of Wellington Boundary are eligible to apply, however, in-county businesses take priority.
Note: Significant Wellington County tourism attractions that do not fulfill required criteria and wish to participate in the tourism signage programme will be reviewed on a case by case basis. This recognizes that major attractions are economic drivers and locations that draw a significant number (i.e., 10,000 per month) of visitors and offer key experiences in Wellington County.
The County of Wellington Directional Tourism Signage Programme is designed for attractions and tourism-based businesses. These operations must promote tourism in the region and provide tourism activities or services. A categorized listing of “primary” businesses eligible for the Programme includes (but is not limited to):
- Overnight accommodations
- Agri-tourism / farm-based tourist attractions
- Attractions
- Authentic regional food tourism
- Boat rentals and charters
- Campgrounds
- Casinos
- Conservation areas
- Convention centres
- Cultural centres
- Developed natural sites
- Downtown areas
- Equestrian facilities
- Fishing / hunting lodges
- Flying operations
- Golf courses (Public)
- Lakes and waterways
- Live and performance theatre
- Major sports facilities
- Marinas
- Public arts galleries
- Public beaches
- Racetracks (horse, motor, go-kart)
- Tourism information centres
- Animal displays / centres
The County of Wellington Directional Tourism Signage programme understands the importance of non-commercial (non-profit /community owned) tourism attractions that provide visitors with an experience in Heritage or Historical, Recreational, Entertainment, Natural, Cultural, and Educational activities.
A categorized listing of “secondary” businesses eligible for the Programme includes (but is not limited to):
- Community centres
- Farmers’ markets
- Historic sites / heritage buildings
- Libraries
- Public museums and archives
- Parks
- Picnic areas
- Scenic lookouts/natural attractions / hiking trails
- Winter recreation trail access points
- All applicants must abide by a 3-year commitment and will sign an undertaking to this effect.
- The commitment between the applicant and the County of Wellington will be in force for 3 years from the date the sign is installed.
- Each applicant must have their payment submitted by November 30th for both Payment Option 1 and Payment Option 2 (see Table A).
- Signs will be manufactured during the winter months with install occurring in May of the following calendar year.
- Payment will be invoiced and accepted in the form of cheque, credit card and cash.
All fees for the directional tourism signage have been established on a cost recovery basis. These costs include the administration of the programme, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of the directional tourism signs.
The County of Wellington has the highest number of neighbouring municipalities in the Province of Ontario, therefore we have chosen to include businesses that are located outside the County boundaries to bring in additional visitors and consumers. Out of County businesses will be subject to an additional surcharge of $50.00 per sign, per year.
Wellington County Businesses
Option 1: Lump Sum Payment
$750.00 + $97.50 (HST) = $847.50
$847.50 per sign - $75.00 (10% base discount)
Lump sum payment of $772.50
*3-year term savings of $75.00
Option 2: Annual Payment Plan
$250.00 + $32.50 (HST) = $282.50
Annual Amount Due: $282.50 per sign, per year
Out of County Businesses
Option 1: Lump Sum Payment
$900.00 + $117.00 (HST) = $1017.00
$1017.00 per sign - $90.00 (10% base discount)
Lump sum payment of $927.00
*3-year term savings of $90.00
Option 2: Annual Payment Plan
$300.00 + $39.00 (HST) = $339.00
Annual Amount Due: $339.00 per sign, per year
County of Wellington directional tourism signage will project a consistent design and image that will be easily identifiable to County road users. County of Wellington Directional Signage will contain the following design elements:
- The base directional tourism sign will be 9’ x 5’ (feet).
- A maximum of four (4) businesses shall be placed on one post location.
- Each business panel will be approximately 1’ x 8’ (feet)
- A maximum of 25 characters, including spaces, per business panel for legibility purposes. Exceptions may be available in a case-by-case basis.
- Each business panel will contain a directional arrow, universal traffic symbol, business name and distance to location in kilometres.
Additional locations may be considered upon request. Please contact the Economic Development Office for information about signage locations.