Signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated, or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way and signs oriented inward upon a lot and intended solely for the information of employees, students, faculty, and visitors.

Miscellaneous traffic and other official signs of any public or governmental agency, such as railroad crossing signs, trespass signs, signs indicating danger, or signs used as aids to service or safety.

Any identification or display of any official court or public office, notices thereof, or any flag, emblem or insignia of a nation, political unit, school or religious group.

Any sign which is located completely within an enclosed building, and which sign is not visible from outside the building.

Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.

Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may benefit direct commercial gain from such display.

Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic, ethnic or religious holidays, as well as national and state holidays.

Signs on a truck, bus, trailer or other vehicle while operated in the normal course of a business which is not primarily the display of such signs.

No sign shall be erected in a location prohibited by this chapter. No sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door or window, or any other exitway required by the building code or property maintenance code of the village, and amendments thereto, or by fire department regulations.

All signs which project into any pedestrian way, public or private shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than ten feet above grade.

In order to promote and secure traffic safety, no sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. The zoning administrator shall review each application for a sign construction permit to assure that no sign be permitted which will adversely affect the public safety. Accordingly, no sign, marquee, canopy or awning shall make use of the words "Stop," "Go," "Look," "Slow," "Danger" or a similar word, phrase, symbol or a character or employ any red, yellow, green or other colored lamp in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

No sign permitted pursuant to this code shall be constructed or maintained in any way which would violate the Illinois Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended.

No wall mounted sign, its supporting structures, or portions thereof, shall be constructed or maintained so as to project above the top edge of a roof or the top of a parapet, whichever forms the top line of a building silhouette. Roof signs are expressly prohibited.

No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, standpipe, gutter, drain or fire escape, nor shall any sign be constructed or maintained so as to impair access to a roof.

Except as otherwise provided herein, no sign shall be located, constructed or maintained upon, over or project into any public right-of-way. Any sign located upon, over or into a public right-of-way is subject to immediate removal without notice that may be otherwise required by this article.

All signs, in addition to the regulations as contained herein, shall comply with the provisions of the Riverdale building code, Riverdale appearance code, and any and all other applicable regulations, as may be established by the village.

Height. All identification awnings and canopies shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than eight feet above grade.

Projection. No identification awning or canopy shall project closer to a curb than twelve inches, nor more than four feet from the supporting wall.

Obsolete signs, as defined in Chapter 17.12 RMC, shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or site upon which such copy or message may be found, within thirty days after written notification from the zoning administrator; and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified therein, the zoning administrator is hereby authorized to cause removal of said copy or message, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building, sign, or structure upon which said copy or message is displayed. Upon vacating a commercial establishment, the owner, agent, or person having a beneficial interest in the building shall be responsible for the removal of all signs used in conjunction with the business.

For the purpose of this section, the term "obsolete sign" shall refer to the copy area of the sign, or such sign structure which, because of its unique design, individual characteristics or commercial license, is directly related to the business activity on site. Such signs or sign structures must be removed as provided for herein. However, notwithstanding the above, should all other components of a sign structure containing an obsolete sign be in full compliance with the provisions of this chapter, such sign structure shall be allowed to remain in place, following removal of the obsolete sign portion of said sign.

Finally, in addition to the above, this chapter is intended, in part, to eliminate roof mounted sign support structures typically used for signs in the front of a business. Notwithstanding the amortization provisions of this chapter, as noted in subsection (E)(5)(d) of this section, any roof mounted sign support structure in place on the effective date of this chapter and which does not provide support for an existing sign shall be removed within six months from the date of this chapter.

No nonconforming business sign or advertising devices shall be altered or reconstructed, unless the alteration or reconstruction is in compliance with the provisions of this section. For the purpose of this section only, the term "altered or reconstructed" shall not include normal maintenance, changing of surface sign space, ornamental moulding, frames, trellises, or ornamental features or landscaping below the base line; or the addition, construction, installation or changing of electrical wiring or electrical devices, backgrounds, letters, figures or characters or other embellishment.

Any sign which existed lawfully on November 23, 1993, and which becomes nonconforming by reason of the adoption of this chapter or any sign which was nonconforming and remains nonconforming by reason of the adoption of this chapter or any such signs becoming or remaining nonconforming because of any subsequent amendment to this chapter or which shall become or remain nonconforming by reason of the annexation to Riverdale of the lot or parcel on which said sign is located, shall be considered a legal, nonconforming sign. Legal, nonconforming signs and all signs rendered illegal or prohibited by the terms of this chapter may be continued only in accordance with the regulations hereinafter set forth. Notwithstanding the nonconforming or illegal status of any sign, any such sign shall be subject to the permit and inspection fees as set forth herein.

Flat against a building or wall.

Back to back in pairs, so that the backs of signs will be screened from public view.

In clusters in an arrangement which will screen the backs of the signs from public view.

Or otherwise mounted so that the backs of all signs or sign structures showing to public view shall be painted and maintained a neutral color or a color that blends with the surrounding environment.

Billboards and posterboards when located upon vacant premises or posterboards or combination of posterboards or other media, which obstruct more than fifty percent of the applicable window surface area. All posterboards shall be placed on the inside of the applicable window only and the remaining surface area of the window shall remain clear without obstruction. The fifty percent surface area restriction shall also prohibit stickers or decals placed on the applicable window, or any other form of media which obstructs the window.

Flashing signs.

Pennants, streamers, portable signs not specifically authorized by the zoning administrator.

Commercial signs not indicating bona fide business conducted or a product sold on the premises.

Signs which have moving parts, irrespective of whether the movement is caused mechanically.

Signs which contain statements, words, pictures or other depictions of an obscene, indecent or immoral character and which offend the public morals or decency.

Signs which impede, impair, obstruct or otherwise conflict with traffic signals, vehicular or pedestrian travel, access to fire hydrants, fire lanes and exits, and other signs which reasonably impede or impair the public health, safety and welfare.

Signs on vehicles, boats or trailers in place other than one sign not larger than two feet by two feet advertising said vehicle, boat and/or trailer for sale or rent. This shall not be interpreted to prohibit lettering on motor vehicles or advertisements on busses or taxicabs.

Portable signs, including signs on trailers and sandwich board signs, except as may be regulated herein.

Signs over or across any public right-of-way, excepting those which may be erected by or on behalf of the village. Such illegal signs may be removed immediately by the village without any notice which might otherwise be required by this chapter.

Roof signs, except within industrial districts.

Not more than two construction signs with a total sign surface area not to exceed one hundred square feet. These signs may identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved in the construction and announce the character of the building enterprise for the purpose for which the building is intended, but not include the advertisement of any product. The signs shall be confined to the site of the construction and located in a manner acceptable to the zoning administrator. Construction signs shall be removed within fourteen days after the issuance of an occupancy permit.

Signs advertising the availability of a business or commercial site or building for sale or lease, or announcing the forthcoming construction of such a building, but limited to one such sign containing not more than thirty-two square feet in sign surface area or, on a corner lot, two such signs, each not containing more than thirty-two square feet sign surface area. These signs must be removed within seven days after a sale is closed or a lease is signed.

Pennants, streamers or other promotion signs, including portable signs, specifically approved by the zoning administrator, after showing that the pennants, streamers or other promotion signs are an integral part of the grand opening of a new business, or other major event, and then only for the location(s) designated by the zoning administrator during the fourteen days before and seven days after the grand opening. At no time shall the placement of said promotional signs exceed a period of thirty days, commencing the first day of the placement of said signs. The use of said pennants, streamers, portable signs, or other promotional devices shall be limited to no more than two times per year for any business, or any building or plaza/retail center containing two or more businesses. The zoning administrator may, in his discretion, require any applicant to provide a diagram identifying any proposed promotional signage, and may further impose such reasonable conditions upon such applicant as are needed for the promotion of public health and safety.

Any portable sign in place on November 23, 1993, shall not be considered legal, nonconforming as provided for in subsection (E)(5)(d) of this section, and shall be removed within six months of said date, or otherwise brought into conformance with the provisions contained herein.

If the zoning administrator shall find that any sign is unsafe, insecure or a danger to the public health or safety, or has been constructed, erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this code, he shall give written notice to the owner and/or operator of said sign, or of such property upon which said sign is located, by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the individual or individuals so named fail to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten days after such notice, the sign or other advertising structure shall be removed by the village at the expense of said individual or individuals.

Any commercial sign which no longer identifies a bona fide business conducted or a product sold on the premises where said sign is located shall be taken down and removed by the owners of the sign on the building, structure or property upon which said sign is located, within ten days' written notification from the village. Said notice shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested. Should an owner or other responsible person fail to comply with such notice within the reasonable time specified, the village is hereby authorized to cause said sign to be removed. Any expenses attendant thereto shall be the obligation of the owner and/or any other person responsible for the maintenance of said sign on the property upon which said sign was located.

Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard for or confuse operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.

No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights, or other illuminating devices, which have a changing light intensity, brightness or color. Beacon lights are not permitted.

No exposed reflective type bulb or incandescent lamp which exceeds fifteen watts shall be used on the exterior surface of a sign so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.

All sources of light, whether by direct exposure, surface reflections or transmission, having an intrinsic brightness greater than thirty footlamberts shall be shielded so that the source of light cannot be seen at any point within a residence district.

Any luminous source of light, where direct exposure surface reflection or transmission, whose total area is larger than one square foot, and which can been seen from any point within a residence district, shall exceed a brightness value of one hundred fifty footlamberts.

No source of light shall be permitted to cause illumination in excess of one-half footcandle in a residence district.

The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to surrounding areas.

Nameplate and identification signs are subject to the following:

Signs accessory to parking areas are subject to the following:

Temporary signs accessory to subdivision developments or other permitted improvements in residential districts are subject to the following:

Institutional, subdivision, mobile home park, or estate identification signs are subject to the following:

Area and Number. There shall be not more than one sign per lot, except that on a corner lot, two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. No sign shall exceed twenty-four square feet in area.

Location. No sign shall be located less than five feet from any property line.

Height. No sign shall project higher than eight feet above the curb level.

Area and Content. A single identification sign, not exceeding twenty square feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building and the name of the management may be displayed. On a corner zoning lot two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.

Location. No sign shall be located less than five feet from any property line.

Off-premises advertising signs are prohibited in all business districts. For the purpose of this chapter, an advertising sign or device is any advertising sign, billboard, statuary or poster panel which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises on which such sign is located or to which it is affixed; but does not include those advertising signs, billboards, or poster panels which direct attention to the business on the premises or to a brand name of a product or commodity with which the business is specifically identified and which is sold on the premises.

Height. No sign shall project higher than twenty-five feet above curb level.

Projections. No sign shall project or extend beyond the property line of the site the sign is located upon, nor shall any portion of a sign extend into the public right-of-way. In the case of any wall mounted sign, no sign shall project or extend more than twenty-four inches from the face of the wall of the building.

Window Signs. The following applies to all zoned business districts:

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage or one and one-half square feet for each lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed one hundred sixty square feet.

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed four square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage or two square feet for each lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed two hundred square feet.

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed four square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage or two square feet for each lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed three hundred square feet.

Area. The gross area in square feet of all signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of building frontage or one square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage, whichever results in the larger sign area; however, the maximum total area of all permitted signs for any establishment shall not exceed one hundred twenty square feet.

Area. The gross area in square feet shall not exceed three hundred square feet.

Height. No sign shall project higher than fifty feet from the curb level.

Location. No sign shall be located further than one thousand feet from any interstate highway, nor closer than five hundred feet to any other such sign.

Quantity. No more than two such signs shall be located on any given parcel.

All such advertising signs shall be in addition to any other permitted signage as may be allowed.

General Application.

Industrial Parks. For industrial parks, one additional sign on each frontage, other than those regulated in subsection (B)(1) of this section, shall be permitted, subject to the following: