Chapter 15.40 SIGNS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the quality of materials, construction, illumination, installation and maintenance of all signs and sign structures. It is not intended to regulate small portable signs inside buildings, or signs painted on the surface of buildings or on display windows or doors of buildings.

15.40.020 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

A. “Approved combustible material” means wood, or materials not more combustible than wood, and approved combustible plastics.

B. “Approved combustible plastics” means only those plastics which, when tested in accordance with American Society for Testing Materials standard method for test for flammability of plastics over five-hundredths inch in thickness (D635-44), burn no faster than two and one-half inches per minute in sheets of six-hundredths-inch thicknesses.

C. “Combination sign” means any sign which combines the characteristics of two or more types of signs, including roof projecting and ground projecting signs.

D. “Display surface” means the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of a sign and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of same. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display.

E. “Electrical sign” means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, faces, backgrounds or outlines illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent lamps or luminous tubes as part of the sign proper, these light sources being either external or internal.

F. “Facing” means the surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.

G. “Ground sign” means a sign which is supported by one or more poles, uprights or braces in or upon the ground, which are not a part of the building, other than pole or pylon signs as defined in this section.

H. “Marquee” means a fixed shelter used only as a roof and extending over a building line and which is entirely supported by the building to which it is attached.

I. “Marquee sign” means a sign which is attached to a marquee.

J. “Projecting sign” means a sign other than a wall sign suspended from or supported by a building or structure or steel column and projecting out therefrom. “Projection” means distance by which a sign extends over public property or beyond the property line.

K. “Pylon or pole sign” means a sign supported by or suspended from a freestanding column or columns of structural steel, pipe or pole.

L. “Roof sign” means a sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a building.

M. “Sign” means and includes every sign, billboard, ground sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, temporary sign, pylon or pole sign, marquee, awning, canopy and street clock, and includes any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person when the same is placed out-of-doors in view of the general public.

N. “Skeleton parapet sign” means individual letters mounted on a parapet wall.

O. “Structural trim” means the molding, battens, cappings, nailing strips, latticing, platforms and letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or in regular form which are attached to the sign structure.

P. “Structure” means the supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign or outdoor display.

Q. “Temporary sign” means a sign of cloth or other combustible material, with or without a frame, which is usually attached to the outside of a building or on a wall or storefront, for a limited period of time.

R. “Wall sign” means a sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.

15.40.030 Permits required.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign shall hereafter be erected, constructed or altered except as provided by this chapter and until a permit for the same has been issued by the village clerk. Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the village clerk and shall include such information as he may require for a complete understanding of the proposed work.

15.40.040 Permit fees.

The original permit fee shall cover one year. Subsequent annual reinspection fees shall be the same as the original permit fee. Permit fees shall be computed as follows:

A. Electric signs projecting over the public way, seventy-five cents per square foot of area of each face. The area of skeleton letters shall be computed as that area within the perimeter design of the letters. No fee shall be less than twenty-five dollars.

B. Electric signs on private property, illuminated signs flat against a building (flat signs), illuminated painted wall signs and illuminated signboards:

Twenty-five nominal fifty-watt or fifty-volt-ampere lamps or less, ten dollars; plus twenty-five cents for each of the next twenty-five lamps; plus twenty cents for each of the next twenty-five lamps; plus eighteen cents for each of the next twenty-five lamps; plus fifteen cents for each of the next one hundred lamps; plus twelve cents for each of the next one hundred lamps; plus ten cents for each additional lamp over three hundred.

Fees, if lamps are over fifty watts, fifty-volt-ampere rating, shall be based on the total connected load reduced to fifty-volt-ampere units and the above schedule applied.

C. Roof signs, same as subsection B of this section plus seventy-five dollars for the first five hundred square feet; plus fifteen cents per square foot for each square foot over five hundred. Fee shall be computed on the actual area of the display surface. Roof signs which are less than twelve feet above the roof and have less than sixty square feet area per face will not be required to pay this structure fee, but shall pay fees as computed in subsection B of this section.

D. Ground signs, any part of which projects over the public way, shall pay fees as computed for projecting signs.

Ground signs entirely over private property, less than twenty-four feet above surrounding street level or surrounding grade level, whichever is higher, shall pay fees as listed in subsection B of this section.

Ground signs the top of which is more than twenty-four feet above surrounding street level or surrounding grade level, whichever is higher, as indicated in subsection B of this section plus the structure fees indicated in subsection C of this section.

E. Permits issued for the re-erection or alteration of any electric sign, illumination of signboards or illumination of flat or wall signs shall be ten dollars. The fees for permits issued for illuminated signs to be erected for a period not to exceed thirty days shall be one-fourth of the annual sign fee. No fee shall be less than ten dollars. The fee for cancellation of any permit shall be ten dollars, and shall be deducted before the remaining amount is refunded. Where the fees charged herein are a duplication, only one fee shall be paid. (Ord. 2014-32 § 4, 2014; Ord. 2002-08 § 6, 2002; Ord. 92-10 § 1, 1992; Ord. 86-19 § 5, 1986)

15.40.050 Exemptions from permit and fees.

A permit and annual permit fees will not be required for the following signs:

A. Ground or wall signs which advertise either the sale or rental of the premises upon which maintained and do not exceed sixteen square feet of display surface;

B. Nameplates and identification signs not exceeding one square foot in area as defined and permitted in the Riverdale zoning ordinance, as amended;

C. Signs designating entrances or exits to or from a parking area and limited to a maximum size of two square feet each;

D. Church bulletins as defined and permitted in the Riverdale zoning ordinance, as amended;

E. Directional signs erected or installed by the village, county, state or any political subdivision thereof or erected pursuant to application filed with an authority granted by the village board.

15.40.060 Alterations.

A sign which was erected before the adoption of the requirements of this chapter shall not be rebuilt or relocated without conforming to the requirements of this chapter.

15.40.070 Maintenance.

A sign, together with all its supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation. The building inspector may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

15.40.080 Obstructing fire escapes or openings prohibited.

A sign shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door or other opening; or so as to prevent free passage from one part of the roof to any other part thereof. A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape, and shall not be so placed as to interfere with an opening which is required for legal ventilation.

15.40.090 Inspection required.

It shall be the duty of the building inspector to exercise supervision over all signs and supporting structures erected or being maintained under the provisions of this chapter and applicable village ordinances, and to inspect or cause inspection by inspectors under and subject to his control of all such signs and supporting structures to be made once each year and more often where the conditions of such signs and supporting structures so require.

15.40.100 Engineering design and materials.

A. Wind Pressure. All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressures of not less than that required for buildings and other structures.

B. Approved Materials for Trim. Nonstructural trim may be made of metal or wood or approved combustible plastics or any combination thereof. Facings, letters and decorations of all types of signs may be made of metal or approved combustible plastics. Facings, letters and decorations of signs other than electric signs may be made of wood.

15.40.110 Ground signs.

A. Outside the fire limit district, ground signs may be constructed of combustible materials. Within the fire districts, structural members of ground signs may be made of wood, if the facing is made of sheet metal or other noncombustible materials. The letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, decorations and structural trim of ground signs may be made of approved combustible materials.

B. Letters, figures, characters or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.

C. No ground sign shall be erected so as to obstruct free access to any building on the premises, nor shall any such sign be erected beyond the building line unless the bottom of such sign is at least nine feet above the ground, in which case it can extend to the property line.

D. Ground signs shall be installed in a manner to withstand wind loads as specified in RMC 15.40.100.

E. Every ground sign and the immediate surrounding premises shall be maintained by the owner of such sign in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.

15.40.120 Roof signs.

A. Roof signs, including the uprights, supports and braces thereof, shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that facings, letters, figures, decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible material. All roof signs shall be secured by or bear upon masonry-bearing walls, columns, girders or roof joists.

B. Roof signs shall be securely attached, braced or constructed so they will safely sustain a wind pressure as specified in RMC 15.40.100.

C. No roof signs shall be erected in a manner which prevents or tends to prevent the free passage from one part of the roof to any other part thereof.

D. Roof signs shall allow a minimum of clear open space of four feet from the roof to the lowest point at the bottom of the face of the sign and there shall be a minimum space of five feet between adjacent vertical supports.

15.40.130 Wall signs.

A. Wall signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that facings, letters, figures, decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible materials.

B. Wall signs shall be securely fastened to a masonry wall by means of anchors, bolts, expansion screws or similar connectors. A wall sign which is attached to a wall of wood may be anchored with wood blocks used in connection with screws and nails. A wall sign shall not be entirely supported by an unbraced parapet wall.

C. No sign of any kind shall be attached to or placed upon a building in such manner so as to obstruct any door, window or fire escape or any window or door leading thereto, or any ventilating system, nor shall any sign be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire escape.

D. No wall sign shall extend more than twelve inches beyond the building and shall be attached to a wall at a height of not less than seven feet above the grade line or not less than fifteen feet six inches above the grade line of any alley and shall not extend more than three feet above the parapet wall or roof level.

15.40.140 Projecting signs.

A. Projecting signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that facing, letters, figures, decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible materials.

B. Projecting signs may have letters, panels or ornaments of porcelain enamel, glass, approved combustible plastics or other hard materials.

C. Signs projecting from the building or structure shall not project beyond a point of eighteen inches from the curbline.

D. Projecting signs shall be so erected that the bottom thereof is at least nine feet above the level of the sidewalk; except, where traffic lights may be obscured, the minimum height shall be twelve feet. No projecting sign shall at the lowest point be less than fourteen feet above the level of an alley over which it projects.

E. All projecting signs shall be supported by strong steel brackets attached to walls of buildings with through bolts, expansion bolts or other equally secure method and shall be braced and held firmly in place with soft iron or steel cables or chain of adequate strength. All such supports shall be attached to walls of buildings with expansion bolts or equivalent method. Projecting signs which are permitted to extend above parapet walls may be attached to brackets fastened to roofs by means of through bolts but shall not be attached to any part of the wall above a point of bearing of the roof joists or rafters.

15.40.150 Illuminated signs.

A. Illuminated signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that facings, letters, figures, decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible plastics.

B. Illuminated signs produced in quantity (other than signs custom-built for specific locations) shall be constructed in accordance with the

“Standard for Electric Signs (U.L. 48) of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.” and bear the label of the Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.

15.40.160 Temporary signs.

A. Permits for temporary signs shall authorize the erection of the signs and their maintenance for a period not exceeding thirty days.

B. Temporary signs shall not exceed forty square feet in area.

C. Frames may be of wood. Panels may be of approved wallboard. Cloth or plastic panels of pennants shall be treated as to be flame retardant.

D. Temporary signs shall be attached to the wall of the building with wire or steel cables and no strings, ropes or wood slats for anchorage or support purposes shall be permitted.

E. No temporary signs shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape or ventilating equipment, nor shall any sign be attached to any standpipe or fire escape.

F. No temporary sign shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare a distance greater than twenty-four inches from the wall upon which it is erected, and shall not be placed or project over any wall opening.

G. The advertisement contained on any temporary sign shall pertain only to the business conducted on or within the premises on which such sign is erected or maintained. This provision shall not apply to signs of a civic, political or religious nature.

15.40.165 Video gaming signage.

No video gaming signage or advertising of any type or size, including, but not limited to, posters, paper signage, fliers, neon signage, banners, video or audio feed, or any other form of sign shall be allowed on the exterior of the building. (Ord. 2019-01 § 3, 2019)

15.40.170 Combination signs.

Each portion of a combination sign shall be subject to the regulations for that type of sign.

15.40.180 Marquees and marquee signs.

A. Marquees shall be constructed of noncombustible materials and shall not project within twelve inches of the curbline. No portion of any marquee shall be less than nine feet above the level of the sidewalk or other public thoroughfare.

B. The roofs of all marquees shall be properly guttered and connected by downspouts to a sewer so that water will not drip or flood onto public property.

C. Marquee signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that the facings, letters, figures and decorations thereof may be made of approved combustible plastics.

D. Marquee signs may be attached to the sides and front of a marquee and such signs may extend the entire length and width of the marquee. Such marquee signs may also be attached to, or hung from, a marquee, and when hung from a marquee shall be at least nine feet at their lowest level above the sidewalk level, and, further, no such sign shall extend beyond the line of such marquee.

E. Projecting signs installed over marquees shall not be supported by the marquee.

15.40.190 Pylon or pole signs.

A. Pylon or pole signs shall be constructed of noncombustible materials; provided, however, that facings, letters, figures and decorations and structural trim thereof may be made of approved combustible materials.

B. Pylon or pole signs may project within twelve inches of the curbline.

C. Supports for pylon or pole signs shall be located only on private property.

D. Pylon or pole signs shall be set in concrete footings of sufficient size and weight to prevent overturning the sign.

15.40.200 Flashing signs.

Flashing signs shall not be placed at locations closer than seventy-five feet from any occupied dwelling house in a residential district if the lights are visible from such house.

15.40.210 Revolving beacons.

Revolving beacons shall not be used in a manner that will create a traffic hazard or where their use may be confused with traffic-control devices or emergency vehicle signals. Revolving beacons shall not employ lights of colors used in traffic signals.

15.40.220 Abandoned signs.

Any sign, erected over public property, on which the annual inspection fee as provided for in this chapter has not been paid shall be declared to be abandoned or a hazard over the public way and the building inspector is empowered to remove or cause to be removed any such abandoned or hazardous sign.

15.40.230 Revocation of permit.

The building inspector shall revoke the permit for any sign being constructed, erected or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or applicable village ordinances.

15.40.240 Advertising and signs on buildings.

No person shall post, stick, stamp, tack, paint, or otherwise fix, or cause the same to be done by another person, any notice, placard, bill, handbill, sign, poster, card advertisement, or other device calculated to attract the attention of the public, upon any building or part thereof, wall or part thereof, or utility pole or structure, without first obtaining the written consent of the owner, agent, lessee, or occupant of such premises or structure; and provided, further, that this section shall not apply to advertising matter upon billboards owned or controlled by private individuals. (Ord. 92-42 § 1, 1992)