Riverside City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Signs
§ 285-49 Purpose; permit required; changes to signs.
A.
Purposes. This article is intended to promote and maintain overall community aesthetic quality; establish reasonable time, place and manner of regulations for the exercise of free speech, without regulating content (excepting obscenity that is prohibited by state law or language that incites violence); promote traffic safety by avoiding distractions and sight distance obstructions; and protect property values and ensure compatibility with the character of neighboring uses.
B.
Permit required. A zoning permit shall be required for all signs except for signs meeting the requirements of § 285-51 and nonilluminated window signs. Only types, sizes and heights of signs that are specifically permitted by this chapter within the applicable district shall be allowed.
C.
Changes on signs. Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in logo or message or replaced with a new sign face without a new permit under this chapter, provided that the changes do not increase the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or an increased nonconformity with this chapter. See also § 285-60B concerning nonconforming signs.
§ 285-50 Definitions.
See § 285-24 of this chapter.
§ 285-51 Signs not requiring permits.
B.
In addition, the following types of signs are not regulated by this chapter:
(1)
Historic sign: memorializes an important historic place, event or person and is specifically authorized by the Borough or a county, state or federal agency.
(2)
Holiday decorations: commemorates a holiday recognized by the Borough, county, state or federal government and does not include advertising.
(3)
Not readable sign: not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line.
(4)
Official sign: erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough ordinance, motion or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.
(5)
Required sign: only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough.
(6)
Right-of-way sign: posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT, including but not limited to decorative banners hung from streetlights that are authorized by the Borough.
§ 285-52 On-premises signs.
A.
The following are the on-premises signs permitted on a lot within the specified districts and within the following regulations,[1] in addition to exempt signs and temporary signs permitted in all districts by other provisions of this article. See definitions of the types of signs in § 285-24.
[1]
Editor's Note: The table of said signs is included at the end of this chapter.
B.
Maximum height of wall signs. The maximum height of wall signs shall be equal to the top of the roof along the wall to which they are attached. However, signs may be attached to a parapet roof that vertically extends up to 10 feet above the structural roof, provided the parapet roof appears to be an architectural extension of the building.
C.
Portable signs (including signs on mobile stands) and other temporary signs.
(1)
Purpose. These standards recognize portable signs as a particular type of sign that has the characteristics of a temporary sign but that has been inappropriately used as a permanent sign. This section is based on the policy that if a use desires to regularly display a sign for regularly changing messages, that it erect a permanent sign within all of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)
Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event sign permitted by § 285-51.
(3)
Businesses are encouraged to provide an area on a permanent sign that displays changeable messages, as opposed to using a separate sign for such purpose.
D.
Signs on freestanding walls. A freestanding sign may be attached to a decorative masonry or stone wall, with a maximum height of six feet and a maximum length of 12 feet, without being regulated by the wall setback regulations of this chapter and with the wall itself not counting towards the maximum sign area. Such walls may be placed in a yard, provided they do not obstruct safe sight distances.
E.
Major development sign. One two-sided sign or two one-sided signs shall be allowed at up to two exterior street entrances to a subdivision or land development of 20 or more dwelling units or more than five principal business uses. Such sign area shall be a maximum of 40 square feet and may be attached to a wall that meets Subsection D.
§ 285-53 Prohibited signs.
The following prohibitions on signs shall apply in all zoning districts:
A.
Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited. However, certain flags and banners may be allowed as provided in § 285-51.
B.
Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, scrolling or moving signs of any type are prohibited. No sign may display electronically moving images. Signs may change their message from time to time, provided that each message is visible for a minimum of six seconds, except as follows: time and temperature signs may change more frequently, and a sign with a sign area greater than 30 square feet shall not change its message more frequently than once every 20 seconds.
(1)
In addition, flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays, within § 285-51.
(2)
Electronically changeable message signs shall not be allowed in a residential district.
C.
Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
D.
Signs which contain information that states that a lot may be used for a purpose not permitted under this chapter are prohibited.
E.
Signs that are of such form, shape or color that they resemble an official traffic control sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the word "danger") are prohibited.
F.
Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
G.
Balloons of greater than 50 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
H.
Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
§ 285-54 Off-premises signs.
A.
Purposes. Off-premises signs are controlled by this chapter for the following purposes:
(1)
To ensure that a physical environment is maintained that is attractive to desirable types of development, especially light industrial and office parks;
(2)
To prevent visual pollution in the Borough and protect property values, especially in consideration of the fact that most commercial areas of the Borough are within close proximity to existing residences;
(3)
To prevent glare on adjacent property and streets;
(4)
To avoid the creation of additional visual distractions to motorists, especially along busy arterial streets that involve complex turning movements and numerous traffic hazards;
(5)
To recognize the numerous alternative forms of free speech available in the Borough, including existing nonconforming off-premises signs, on-premises signs and temporary signs and printed and electronic media;
B.
Nonconforming off-premises signs. This section is not intended to require the removal of an existing lawfully placed off-premises sign that is in structurally sound condition.
C.
PennDOT sign. Signs erected and maintained by PennDOT are permitted by right in all districts.
D.
Permitted off-premises signs. Except for other types of signs that are specifically allowed by this section to be off-premises, an off-premises sign is only permitted if it meets the following requirements:
(1)
District. An off-premises sign is only permitted in the I District.
(2)
Location. An off-premises sign shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way.
(3)
Maximum total sign area on each of two sides: 300 square feet. A freestanding sign of more than 50 square feet of sign area shall need special exception approval.
(4)
Spacing. Any off-premises sign shall be separated by a minimum of 500 feet from any other off-premises sign with a sign area greater than 50 square feet, including signs on either side of a street and including existing signs in other municipalities.
(5)
Maximum height: 35 feet above the elevation of the adjacent street, measured at the street center line.
(6)
Attached. No off-premises sign or sign face shall be attached in any way to any other off-premises sign, except that a sign of 300 square feet may have two sign faces of 300 square feet each, provided the angle between the signs does not exceed 60°.
(7)
Control of lighting and glare. See standards in § 285-43. Lights shall be directed so they do not shine into the eyes of motorists, nor residents of homes. Lighting shall be directed downwards towards the sign area and shall be turned off between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.
(8)
Setbacks. No off-premises sign greater than 20 square feet in sign area shall be located within 250 feet of the lot line of an existing principal dwelling.
(9)
Condition. The sign shall be maintained in a good and safe condition, particularly to avoid hazards in high winds. The area around the sign shall be kept free of debris. If the message of a sign is no longer intact, it shall be replaced with a solid color or a "for lease" sign.
§ 285-55 Design, location and construction.
A.
Setbacks.
(1)
All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the existing street right-of-way. Signs shall not be located within the existing street right-of-way, except for allowed sandwich board signs.
(2)
A freestanding illuminated sign for a commercial or industrial business shall not be located within five feet of an abutting lot line of a principal dwelling in a residential district.
(3)
These setbacks shall not apply to official signs, nameplate signs, public service signs and directional signs.
B.
Sight clearance. No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements of § 285-63.
C.
Off-premises. No sign, except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs, shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
D.
Permission of owner. No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
E.
Signs on utility poles and street signs. No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or street sign post, except by a utility or government agency.
F.
Construction of signs. Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair. The Zoning Officer shall, by written notice, require a property owner or lessee to repair or remove a dilapidated or unsafe sign within a specified period of time. If such order is not complied with, the Borough may repair or remove such sign at the expense of such owner or lessee.
G.
Wiring of signs. Signs shall be prohibited that involve electrical cords laying across parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except on a residential property for seasonal lighting.
H.
Banners and overhanging signs. Borough Council may approve the hanging of decorative banners within the street right-of-way and may approve a sign overhanging across a street to advertise a community event or festival.
§ 285-56 Signs on vehicles.
Any vehicle, trailer or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of such sign(s) no longer is incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle, trailer or structure, but instead becomes a primary purpose in itself, shall be considered a freestanding sign and shall be subject to all of the requirements for freestanding signs in the district in which such vehicle, trailer or structure is located.
§ 285-57 Abandoned or outdated signs.
Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within 180 days of the cessation of such use.
§ 285-58 Measurement of sign area.
A.
Sign area shall include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with related background areas on which they are displayed. One freestanding sign may include several signs that are all attached to one structure, with the total sign area being the area of a common geometric form that could encompass all signs.
B.
The sign area shall not include any structural supports that do not include a message.
C.
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted directly on a building or window, other than an illuminated background that is a part of the sign, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangle that includes all of the letters and symbols.
D.
The maximum sign area of sign shall be for each of two sides of a sign, provided that only one side of a sign is readable from any location.
E.
Unless otherwise specified, all square footages in regards to signs are maximum sizes.
§ 285-60 Nonconforming signs.
A.
Signs legally existing at the time of enactment of this chapter and which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered nonconforming signs.
B.
An existing lawful nonconforming sign that was lawful when it was initially placed may be replaced with a new sign, provided the new sign is not more nonconforming in any manner than the previous sign. A nonconforming sign shall not be expanded in a manner that does not conform to this chapter.