[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Riverdale 9-24-1958 by Ord. No. 9-58. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 85.
Zoning — See Ch 168.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any rigid or semi-rigid material, with or without advertising copy
displayed thereon, situated upon or attached to real property out-of-doors,
for the purpose of furnishing a background, base or support upon which an
advertisement or sign may be painted, posted or in any other way displayed.
"Advertisement structure or sign" shall mean outdoor display of any writing,
painting, picture, emblem, drawing, sign or similar device intended to invite
or draw the attention of the public to any goods, merchandise, property, business,
services, entertainment, amusement, industry, activity or establishment.
An advertising sign, structure or symbol, erected and maintained
by an individual or corporation engaged in the sale or rental for profit,
of space thereon, and upon which space there is displayed by means of painting,
posting or other method, advertising copy describing a product or products,
service or services, which are not made, produced, assembled, stored or sold
from the premises or lot upon which the advertisement is displayed.
Each of the independent units with separate entrances into which
it is divided by party walls.
A structure or symbol erected and maintained by an individual or
corporation, and upon which space there is displayed by means of painting
or other method, advertising copy, describing a product or products, service
or services, which are or are not made, produced, assembled, stored or sold
from premises, or lot upon which the advertisement is displayed.
A.
Primary residence zone.
(1)
Announcement or name signs of not more than two square
feet in area may be attached to a front wall of a dwelling or may be suspended
from an attractive garden or colonial type post on the front lawn of the property,
provided that said sign shall not be less than 25 feet from the side lot line,
nor less than 10 feet from the curbline. A name or announcement sign of not
more than eight square feet in area of a church, school or other public building
may be mounted on the front of the building or mounted on suitable post in
front of the building, provided that said sign shall not be less than 25 feet
from the side lot line and not less than 15 feet from curbline.
(2)
"For sale" or "for rent" signs of not more than eight
square feet in area may be mounted flush against the front of a building or,
if on a vacant lot, may be mounted on suitable posts, facing the road or street
upon which the property fronts, at the center line of the lot or property,
at the established setback line. "For sale" or "for rent" signs are limited
to one per lot or parcel, and shall only refer to the property upon which
it is erected. Name or announcement signs are limited to one per lot. Name
or announcement signs for dwellings may be illuminated by not more than 40
watts. Name or announcement signs for churches and other public buildings
may be illuminated by not more than 80 watts.
(3)
The use of neon, zeon or other tube-type lighting for
any purpose, out-of-doors, in a primary residence zone is prohibited. The
use of neon, neon or other tube-type lighting in a window for any purpose
in a primary residence zone is prohibited.
C.
Business zone.
(1)
In a business zone, no sign may be erected, built or
altered, that will extend more than 18 inches from the front wall of a building.
(2)
No sign shall be erected, built or altered at any time,
regardless of size, that extends over a front lot line, or over a public walk,
or road or street. Existing signs which are nonconforming need not be removed
and may continue to be used. If any nonconforming sign shall be ordered removed
as a hazard, it may be replaced, within one year from such time, provided
that it shall conform to this chapter. Any nonconforming sign may be removed
for purposes of repair or maintenance and re-erected within 90 days.
(3)
Before any new sign shall be erected or hung, a permit
must be obtained and be displayed in the place of business where the sign
is displayed. Said permit must be obtained from the Building Inspector of
the Borough of Riverdale, in accordance with the Building Code of the Borough
of Riverdale.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 85, Construction Codes, Uniform.
(4)
Signs within a business zone shall be limited to two
per building or on any single plot, with an aggregate area not to exceed three
square feet for every foot of street frontage of the building or structure
upon or over which it is erected and to which it refers.
(5)
Signs erected on the roof of a building or structure
must allow a clearance of three feet from roof on or over which it is erected.
Signs in a business zone may be illuminated.
(6)
The use of more than two signs of not more than two square
feet each on a lot or parcel referring to the business or product sold or
service rendered is prohibited.
(7)
No signs or other advertising device shall be permitted
outside of, on or over any building or vacant land, except signs referring
to the premises on which they are displayed or to the services rendered or
products sold therein. "For sale" or "for rent" signs referring to property
on which they are erected are permitted, but shall be limited to 50 square
feet in area and shall be mounted flush against the face of the building,
or if erected on vacant property, shall be mounted on suitable posts at setback
line and the center line of the property.
D.
Industrial zones.
(1)
Signs referring to the industry or business conducted
in a building may be erected on the face of the building or on the roof thereof,
provided that such signs shall not project more than 18 inches beyond the
building line. No sign shall be built, erected, altered or modified at any
time, regardless of size, that extends over the front lot line or over a public
walk, road or street.
(2)
Signs in an industrial zone shall be limited to 2,500
square feet in area.
(3)
"For sale" or "for rent" signs referring to property
on which they are erected are permitted but shall be limited to 50 square
feet in area and shall be mounted flush against the face of the building or,
if erected on vacant property, shall be mounted on suitable posts at the setback
line and the center line of the property.
A.
All signs or advertising media other than those provided
for in this chapter are hereby prohibited in the Borough of Riverdale.
B.
All billboards are prohibited in the Borough of Riverdale
except billboards presently located in the Borough of Riverdale. Signs or
billboards in a business or industrial area may be illuminated, provided that
said lighting does not shine on any adjacent properties causing a hazard or
nuisance. Any billboard which may be removed may be replaced within one year
from the time of such removal.
A.
The Building Inspector shall be the person designated
to receive applications for and issue permits for all signs permitted by this
chapter in the Borough of Riverdale.
B.
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to erect or
maintain a sign in the Borough of Riverdale permitted by this chapter must
first make written application therefor with the Building Inspector. Such
application shall describe the nature of the sign, the size thereof, the location
thereof, and the wording or word to appear therein.
C.
In the event that same does not comply with this chapter,
the Mayor and Council by resolution, may authorize variations from the provisions
of this chapter where there are practical difficulties or particular hardships
in the way of carrying out the strict letter of any of the provisions of this
chapter relating to the regulation and control of signs.
[Amended 5-4-1967 by Ord. No. 5-67]
D.
The inspection and enforcement of this chapter shall
be the responsibility of the Building Inspector of the Borough of Riverdale.
[Amended 9-21-1992 by Ord. No. 4-92]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions
of this chapter, fail to comply therewith or who shall violate any order and
regulation herein made shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine
of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 90 days,
or both, in the discretion of the Judge imposing same. Each day that such
violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. The imposition
of the penalty for violation of this chapter shall not excuse the violation
or permit it to be continued.
