TOURISM & PUBLIC SERVICES RURAL SIGNAGE POLICY

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1 Policy and Procedures Subject Title: Tourism and Public Services Rural Signage Policy Corporate Policy (Approved by Council): X Policy Ref. No.: ROADS Administrative Policy (Approved by CAO): By-Law No. : Date Approved: April 5, 2007 Staff Report: Name of Dept.: Transportation and Public Safety TOURISM & PUBLIC SERVICES RURAL SIGNAGE POLICY A tourist operation is defined as an establishment with the primary function of satisfying tourist needs by providing accommodation, recreational, educational, cultural, scientific, and environmental or entertainment related activities. Tourism is growing in Grey County. The new signage policy for Grey County Transportation and Public Safety will allow for growth in the industry and expect that more signs will be required on rural roads. Two categories of signage are covered in this policy. Signs for tourism services or facilities listed under Appendix A will have a blue background and will only be allowed on rural roads. Signs for public services or facilities listed under Appendix B will have a green background. To limit sign clutter and enhance safety, only signs under Appendix A of this policy will be permitted in urban areas. OBJECTIVES Tourist signing objectives are: to improve existing signing in keeping with the primary goal of ensuring public safety, while guiding motorists to their destination; to increase and promote visits to Grey County s many tourism services and facilities to provide direction to tourism products and public services/facilities from the rural roadway in a reasonably direct manner * The overall purpose and intent of this signage policy is to protect the landscape, promote safety and to provide an effective way-finding system

2 BASIC CRITERIA To be eligible, an operation must: a) comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations (registered for GST) b) be accessible via a road open to public traffic c) be open to the public at least 12 consecutive weeks per year d) be open at least 3 days a week during its operating season on advertised set days and times e) be open to chance customers f) have adequate off road parking g) have a reception structure such as a controlled gate, staffed reception and orientation point or permanent interpretation panels or displays h) must advertise its location, season and hours, contact information and facilities whether in tourism publications or in publicity materials regularly distributed through Ontario Regional Tourist Information Centres or local newspapers i) the signage must not interfere with visibility at intersections or entrances j) if the tourist business is located on a municipal road, the local municipality must agree to allow signs on or along its roads to complete the sequence of signs to the tourist business location FINGERBOARD CRITERIA (Tourism related) size 1 x4 white reflective lettering on blue reflective background no business logos approved tourism symbol may be used if space allows business name only (text limited to two lines) Highways font limited to one set (of 2 signs) per customer per county road, for a maximum of 4 signs left or right arrow and mileage (as number without km) maximum 15km to establishment limited to 4 (stacked) per intersection location first come first served basis (waiting list ) The maximum allowed number of fingerboards per intersection location are limited to four stacked fingerboards. There are locations where multiple businesses want fingerboards where there is not enough room to put up all the signs requested. A symbol fingerboard may replace several individual signs to reduce clutter. A regular fingerboard may be placed nearer to their business. Sample of a fingerboard with symbols only Sample of a fingerboard with symbols and mileage

3 CRITERIA FOR MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS SIGNS sign size may vary depending on location a) directional signs not to exceed 24 square feet b) location signs not to exceed 60 square feet * maximum sign size remains at the discretion of the road authority maximum 25km to establishment number of sign sets (left and right) is limited to 6 locations for directional signs directional signs are limited to 2 (stacked) per intersection location (per individual major tourist attraction business) location signs are limited to the number of public entrances to the attraction white reflective lettering on blue reflective background logo size not to exceed 25% of the sign face inclusion of approved tourism symbols are encouraged text that is not part of the logo must be approved by the road authority left or right arrow and mileage (as number without km) first come first served basis (waiting list ) SIGN AND SITE SELECTION CRITERIA the location of other traffic control devises shall take precedence over the location of tourism signage when tourism signs are located in one location, the order of the signs shall be: Top position - businesses signed for the left direction Bottom position - businesses signs for the right direction when a tourism sign is removed and cannot be re-erected at an approved substitute location, the tourism operator shall be entitled to an appropriate pro-rated rebate of that part of paid annual fees applicable to the remainder of the term all installation, removal and maintenance of tourism signage will be performed only by the Grey County Transportation and Public Safety Department the granting of tourism directional signage does not convey any rights, title or interest to the County road rights-of-way EXISTING SIGNS that do not fall under the new policy will have two years from notification by public announcement (e.g. local newspapers) to either renew their contract or have the signs removed are to be phased out in favour of standardized signs that are deemed, by the Road Authority, to be in disrepair are to be replaced at the owner s expense or removed by the County

4 ENFORCEMENT Grey County Transportation and Public Safety Department shall enforce the sign policy. COST Payment must accompany the application. The annual fee shall apply only for that calendar year in which it was issued. For applications received partially through the year the fee shall be pro-rated. The annual fee shall become renewable on March 15th in any year. The applicant will be responsible for sign replacement costs in the event the signs are stolen or vandalized. Fingerboards: Grey County will charge a fee of $ per set (two signs) plus applicable taxes and an annual fee of $ plus applicable taxes per set (two signs). Signs For Major Tourist Attractions: Costs for manufacturing are charged at $18.75 per square foot plus applicable taxes. An annual fee of $ plus applicable taxes will apply per sign.

5 APPENDIX A (Blue signs) Tourism Operations Eligible for Directional Signage Antique Dealers Art Centres and Art Galleries Bed And Breakfasts Bicycle Rentals for Tourists Boating Centres (canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowboats, motorboats) Boat Launches Campgrounds Casinos Cross-Country Skiing Centres Farmers Markets Federal / Provincial Parks Fish Hatcheries Fishing Gardens (Tours) Golf Courses Handicraft Centres Hiking Trails Historical Sites Interpretation Centres Live Theatres Major Tourist Attractions Marinas Mountain Bike Centres Motor Speedways Nudist Camps Outdoor Recreation Centres Picnic Areas Public Beaches Raceways Riding Centres Scenic Lookouts / Natural Attractions Ski Resorts (public) Snowmobile Centres Theme Parks Tourist Information Centres Youth Hostels Zoos

6 APPENDIX B (Green signs) Public Services and Facilities Eligible for Directional Signage Airports Cemeteries Churches Community Centres Conservation Areas Hospitals Libraries Municipal Offices Municipal Parks Municipal Yards/Facilities Museums Non Profit Organizations Parking (Publicly Operated) Schools Transit Terminals Signage listed in appendix B is exempt from annual fees

7 RECOGNIZED TOURISM OPERATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Antiques Dealers Its main activity must be to expose for sale and offer for sale, antique household articles and miscellaneous vintage items Must be open at least three days a week on set days and at set times Art Centre and Art Gallery Its main activity must be the exhibition of works or art for public viewing Has a permanent art collection Must promote knowledge of the arts by means of descriptive brochures, information panels, etc Bed and Breakfast Must have three rooms or less to rent Must serve breakfast Must be a private residence Must be open seven days a week Bicycle Rentals for Tourists Must have non-motorized vehicles for rent Must have a minimum of five units Must have direct access to a cycle-able private or public road Boating Centre (canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowboats, motorboats) Must have equipment for rent on the premises Must meet all applicable safety standards required by Canada Transport Must have direct access to a waterway Must have at least five crafts available to clients Campground (including Provincial and Federal) 30% of its campsites must be available to chance customers Must be open seven days a week Casinos Is a permanent, fixed-location casino recognized by the Province that is either: a) a commercial casino under the Ontario Casino Commission Act, or b) a permanent charitable casino under the Ontario Gaming Control Act Cross-Country Ski Centre Must have at least 10km of groomed trails Trails must present at least two levels of difficulty

8 Must have direct access to trails Farmers Market (over 10,000 sq. ft. in area) Its main activity must be to expose and offer for sale agricultural products and articles commonly offered at community farmers markets Must be open at least once a week, on set days and at set times Fishing Charters Must meet all applicable safety standards required by Canada Transport and applicable regulations required by Oceans and Fisheries Fish Hatchery Must be a facility where fish are commercially hatched or raised for purposes of restocking or consumption Must offer guided tours at least three times a week, on set days and at set times, and/or display interpretive panels on the life cycles or raising of the concerned species Its principal aim must be to inform and educate the public about fish Garden (Tours) Must offer guided tours at least three times a week, on set days and at set times Its main activity must be the exhibition of horticulture for public viewing Must display plant listing Golf Course The course must be available to the public on a per day basis, and visitors must not be required to be accompanied by a member Must have equipment for rent on the premises The course must be suitable for all players, whether novice or expert Must have public washrooms on the premises Handicraft Centre Must be a workshop where local artisans practice their craft Artisans must be in attendance on set days and at set times If crafts are offered for sale, at least 50% of the items must be the work of local crafts people Must promote knowledge of crafts by means of descriptive brochures, information panels, and/or craft demonstrations Hiking Trail Must have marked and maintained trails

9 Interpretation Centre Its main subjects must deal with nature or history, and its main mission must be to promote knowledge or to raise awareness about different aspects of nature or history Must offer guided tours at least five days a week, on set days and at set times, and/or provide audio-visual information Live Theatre Must put on theatrical performances at least three days a week, on set days and at set times Performances must be in a fixed location (theatre or tent) Major Tourist Attraction (Defined as having more than 30,000 visitors per year and must show validated statements of visitor attendance) Must be open at least five days a week, on set days and at set times Must have washrooms on the premises Must have a basic restaurant service on the premises Marina Must be open on a per day basis Must offer basic services to the public (fuel, boat launching facilities) Motor Speedway Its public events are licensed by the Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs (Ontario Region) Mountain Bike Centre Must have marked and maintained trails Must have direct access to trails Museum Offers ongoing public programs, including exhibits Must display interpretive panels and/or provide descriptive brochures Nudist Camp Must belong to a nudist association whose camps are legally authorized Must offer a choice of activities on a per day basis Outdoor Recreation Centre Must offer a choice of outdoor activities, but no lodging

10 Each activity must be offered on a per day basis (such activities must also meet the applicable specific criteria) Must have washrooms on the premises Must have a basic restaurant service on the premises Picnic Area Must have picnic tables and garbage containers Must have at least a portable toilet on the premises Public Beach Must meet minimal health standards set by the Ministry of the Environment Must have washrooms and changing facilities on site Raceway Is a permanent Racetrack supervised by the Ontario Racing Commission under the Racing Commission Act Riding Centre Must rent horses on the premises Must have at least eight horses available for rent The services of a guide must be available at least three days a week, on set days and at set times Ski Resort Must have equipment for rent on the premises Must have groomed trails Trails must be suitable for novice as well as expert skiers Visitors must not be required to be accompanied by a member Snowmobile Centre Must have groomed trails Must have direct access to trails Must offer lodging and/or restaurant facilities within a 2km radius Theme Park Must display interpretive panels and/or offer guided tours at least five days a week, on set days and at set times Tours must focus on specific theme Youth Hostel Must have four or more rooms to rent Must be open seven days a week

11 Zoo Must be open to chance customers Must display interpretive panels and/or provide descriptive brochures Must house a variety of animal species