Chapter 17.10
SIGNS
Sections:
Article I. General Requirements
17.10.010 Scope of requirements.
17.10.020 General limitations.
Article II. Specific Requirements
17.10.200 Specific requirements.
17.10.210 Residence districts.
17.10.230 Industrial districts.
Article I. General Requirements
17.10.010 Scope of requirements.
A. The regulations herein set forth shall apply to and govern signs in all districts. No sign shall be created or maintained unless it is in compliance with the regulations governing location and bulk of structures for the district in which it is located, unless such sign is otherwise specifically regulated by conditional use provision or provisions relating to variations.
B. Any sign already established on November 23, 1993, and which sign is rendered nonconforming by the provisions herein, and any sign which, as a result of subsequent amendments hereto, shall be rendered nonconforming, shall be subject to the regulations of Chapter 17.05 RMC (Nonconforming Buildings, Structures, and Uses) and RMC 17.10.020(E) (Obsolete and nonconforming signs). (Ord. 93-41, 1993)
17.10.020 General limitations.
A. Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Any sign which is located completely within an enclosed building, and which sign is not visible from outside the building.
5. Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
6. Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, which enterprise may benefit direct commercial gain from such display.
7. Temporary decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of traditionally accepted patriotic, ethnic or religious holidays, as well as national and state holidays.
8. 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.
B. Location of Signs/General Provisions.
1. 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.
2. All signs which project into any pedestrian way, public or private shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than ten feet above grade.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
C. Awnings and Canopies. Where limitations are imposed by this chapter on the projection of signs from the face of the wall of any building or structure, such limitations shall not apply to identification awning or canopy signs indicating only the name of the building or the name of the principal occupant of the building or the principal product available therein on any awnings or canopies; provided, that any identification sign located on an awning or canopy shall be affixed flat to the vertical face thereof, and provided further that all awning signs and canopies shall maintain the following clearances:
1. Height. All identification awnings and canopies shall maintain a vertical clearance of not less than eight feet above grade.
2. Projection. No identification awning or canopy shall project closer to a curb than twelve inches, nor more than four feet from the supporting wall.
D. Political Signs. Temporary political signs shall not be placed or constructed on any property, or within any dedicated right-of-way, and may be erected upon private property under the following conditions. The person or organization responsible for the erection or distribution of any such signs, or the owner, or his agent, of the property upon which such signs may be located, shall cause the removal thereof within three days after the primary or special elections to which they are appurtenant unless such signs shall continue to be appurtenant to a general election to be held within ninety days. The person and/or organization responsible for the erection or distribution of any such sign, or the owner, or his agent to the property upon which such signs may be located, shall cause the removal thereof within three days after the general election to which they are appurtenant. No political sign shall exceed sixteen square feet in area. A maximum of four such signs may be placed on a building or on a zoning lot.
E. Obsolete and Nonconforming Signs.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
a. Inventory of Signs – Notice. The village will develop and maintain an inventory of signs existing within the corporate limits of the village. The village shall, as soon as practicable, notify in writing, by certified mail, return receipt requested, the owner of any of each nonconforming or illegal sign of the nature of such illegality or nonconforming, and shall record same with the county.
b. Maintenance and Repair of Legal, Nonconforming and Illegal Signs. All legal, nonconforming and illegal signs shall be maintained and repaired in accordance with the provisions of the municipal code for the village. All legal, nonconforming and illegal signs shall, in the event of any damage thereto, be repaired in conformance with all rules, regulations, standards and specifications herein contained, which control the construction, illumination, landscaping and maintenance of signs.
c. Enlarging. No legal, nonconforming or illegal sign may be enlarged, expanded or added onto; provided, however, legal nonconforming and illegal signs may be altered or modified so as to permit a change in the message conveyed thereon, provided such message shall not be in violation of any rule or regulation set forth in the municipal code; and provided further, that such change shall not involve the support or framing features of said sign.
d. Amortization Provisions. Except as noted in subsections (E)(1) and (J)(3) of this section, ten years from and after November 23, 1993, all legal, nonconforming and illegal signs shall be removed and eliminated. The ten-year period shall for all purposes be deemed an appropriate amortization period for each and every legal, nonconforming and illegal sign presently located within the corporate limits of the village or hereinafter located thereon by reason of the annexation into Riverdale of a lot or parcel on which such sign is located. Said amortization period shall extend only to the owners of record of any and all properties which upon November 23, 1993, contain one or more legal, nonconforming signs. Upon the sale of said property, transfer or title, or any other conveyance of interest in said property, such legal, nonconforming sign shall be immediately removed.
F. Construction and Maintenance. The construction, installation, erection, anchorage, and maintenance of all signs shall be subject to the regulations of the village building code or supplementary sign regulations. All electrical wiring associated with freestanding signs shall be installed underground.
G. Mounting of Signs. All signs shall be mounted in one of the following manners:
1. Flat against a building or wall.
2. Back to back in pairs, so that the backs of signs will be screened from public view.
3. In clusters in an arrangement which will screen the backs of the signs from public view.
4. 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.
H. Limitation on Number of Signs. In those districts within which a reduction in total sign area is applied as the number of signs increases, the following exemption is offered. If more than four establishments occupy a single zoning lot, the twenty percent reduction in total sign area shall not apply if all signs are grouped in a single location or are part of a common sign for the entire zoning lot. In such instances, each establishment shall be permitted an additional wall mounted sign of not more than sixteen square feet in area and projecting not more than four inches from the face of the wall or structure of the building.
I. Prohibited Signs. The following signs are specifically prohibited:
1. 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.
2. Flashing signs.
3. Pennants, streamers, portable signs not specifically authorized by the zoning administrator.
4. Commercial signs not indicating bona fide business conducted or a product sold on the premises.
5. Signs which have moving parts, irrespective of whether the movement is caused mechanically.
6. Signs which contain statements, words, pictures or other depictions of an obscene, indecent or immoral character and which offend the public morals or decency.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Portable signs, including signs on trailers and sandwich board signs, except as may be regulated herein.
10. 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.
11. Roof signs, except within industrial districts.
J. Temporary Signs. The following signs shall be permitted anywhere in the village:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
K. Unsafe or Unlawful Signs.
1. 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.
2. 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.
L. Illumination Standards.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. No source of light shall be permitted to cause illumination in excess of one-half footcandle in a residence district.
7. 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.
M. Electronic Message Boards and Time/Temperature Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions as may be contained in this chapter, “electronic message boards” and “time/temperature” signs may be located within the business or industrial zoning districts, and are subject to the same dimensional, locational and surface area restrictions for all other signs as may be located on the building, structure, or site where such sign is located. This section is not to be construed as to allow for the placement of an electronic message board or time/temperature sign in addition to any and all other signage as may be allowed. Rather, an electronic message board or time/temperature sign shall be part of the total allowable signage determination for such building, structure or site where such sign is to be located. Electronic message boards shall provide for the full display of the correct time and temperature at least once every two minutes, and shall be so displayed for a period of not less than five seconds in duration.
N. Landscape Standards. In the case of any pole sign, ground sign, or any other freestanding sign not affixed to a building, and erected after November 23, 1993, there shall be provided a landscape area at the base of such sign, and in an amount equal to one square foot of landscape area for every two square feet of signage. Such landscaping shall include shrubs, flower beds, and other plant materials, shall not include lawn or grass area, and shall be in compliance with the provisions and standards of the Riverdale appearance code. (Ord. 2015-36 § 3, 2015; Ord. 93-41, 1993)
Article II. Specific Requirements
17.10.200 Specific requirements.
All signs allowed in the village shall be erected and maintained in accordance with the following specifications by district or type of district. (Ord. 93-41, 1993)
17.10.210 Residence districts.
A. All Residence Districts. The following nonflashing, nonilluminated signs shall be permitted in all residence districts:
1. Nameplate and identification signs are subject to the following:
a. Area and Content – Residential. There shall be not more than three nameplates, attached to the structure, not exceeding two square feet in area, for each dwelling unit, indicating the name and/or address of the occupant.
b. Area and Content – Nonresidential. For nonresidential buildings, but excluding therefrom church and civic facilities, as regulated in subsection B of this section, a single identification sign, not exceeding twelve square feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building, may be displayed. On a corner lot, two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.
c. Location. No signs shall project beyond the property line into the public way, nor shall they be permitted on public utility easements.
d. Height. No sign shall project higher than one story or fifteen feet above curb level, whichever is greater.
2. Signs accessory to parking areas are subject to the following:
a. Area and Number. Signs designating parking area entrances or exits are limited to one sign for each such exit or entrance, and to a maximum size of four square feet each. One sign per parking area, designating the conditions of use or identity of such parking area and limited to a maximum size of twelve square feet, shall be permitted. On a corner lot, two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.
b. Projection. No sign shall project beyond the property line into the public way.
c. Height. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above curb level.
3. Temporary signs accessory to subdivision developments or other permitted improvements in residential districts are subject to the following:
a. Content. The signs shall be only for the purpose of identification of homes for sale or rent in the subdivision under construction, or for the identification of other nonresidential uses under construction.
b. Area, Number, and Setback. Such signs shall not exceed two in number for each subdivision or development, or one for each entrance to the subdivision, nor two hundred square feet each in area.
c. Height. No sign shall project higher than fifteen feet above curb level.
d. Time Limitation. The sign or signs shall be removed by the applicant or property owner within two years of the date of the issuance of the zoning certificate.
4. Institutional, subdivision, mobile home park, or estate identification signs are subject to the following:
a. Content. The signs shall bear only the name of the subdivision, park, or estate.
b. Area and Number. There shall be not more than one sign located at each entrance to the subdivision or estate. No such sign shall exceed one hundred twenty square feet in area, with the exception of monument signs, which shall not exceed two hundred square feet in area. (A monument sign is defined as an identification sign which is so designed and constructed so as to complement the premises being identified. Ordinarily, the letters or numbers of such signs are engraved into or raised upon natural stone, heavy lumber or masonry.)
c. Height. No sign shall project higher than fifteen feet above curb level.
B. All Residence Districts. The following illuminated, nonflashing signs shall be permitted in all residence districts: church and civic building bulletin boards are subject to the following:
1. 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.
2. Location. No sign shall be located less than five feet from any property line.
3. Height. No sign shall project higher than eight feet above the curb level.
C. R-3 and R-4 Residence Districts. In these districts, the preceding sign regulations shall be applicable, and, in addition, the following identification signs shall be permitted for multiple-family dwellings and nonresidential buildings:
1. 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.
2. Location. No sign shall be located less than five feet from any property line.
D. It is unlawful to construct, place, maintain or install a “for sale” sign, “for lease/rent” sign, “sold” sign, “leased/rented” sign of any shape, size or form on any single-family home, or any premises located in residential zoned districts CR, R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4. Signs, if placed in the windows of a dwelling unit and visible from the street, shall not be larger than two feet by two feet, and shall be limited to one such sign per property. (Ord. 94-25, 1994; Ord. 93-41, 1993)
17.10.220 Business districts.
A. General Regulations.
1. 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.
2. Height. No sign shall project higher than twenty-five feet above curb level.
3. 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.
B. Community Shopping District (B-1). Illuminated, nonflashing business signs are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. 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.
C. Service Business District (B-2). Illuminated, nonflashing business signs are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. 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.
D. General Commercial District (B-3). Illuminated, nonflashing business signs are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. 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.
E. Restricted Office District (B-4). Illuminated, nonflashing business signs are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. 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. (Ord. 93-41, 1993)
17.10.230 Industrial districts.
A. Advertising signs are permitted, as a conditional use, within any industrial district, provided:
1. Area. The gross area in square feet shall not exceed three hundred square feet.
2. Height. No sign shall project higher than fifty feet from the curb level.
3. 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.
4. Quantity. No more than two such signs shall be located on any given parcel.
5. All such advertising signs shall be in addition to any other permitted signage as may be allowed.
B. Restricted Industrial District (I-1). Illuminated, nonflashing business signs are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
1. General Application.
a. 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.
b. Location. No sign shall be located less than five feet from any property line.
c. Height. No sign shall project higher than twenty-five feet above curb level.
2. 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:
a. Content. Such sign shall advertise only the name and location of such industrial park and the name and type of business of each occupant of the park.
b. Area. The gross area in square feet of the additional sign on a zoning lot shall not exceed two hundred square feet.
c. Setback. Such sign shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the front lot line of such industrial park.
d. Height. No sign shall project higher than twenty-five feet above curb level.
C. General Industrial District (I-2). The area and location regulations of the I-1 district shall apply to signs permitted in this district. (Ord. 93-41, 1993)