The following signs shall be allowed in all residential districts:
A. 
For accessory residential uses, one sign or nameplate showing only the name and profession or occupation of the uses. Such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area (overall dimensions). (Measurements shall be taken from ground level to top of structure and from side to side.)
B. 
For all permitted uses, not more than two temporary signs, neither of which shall exceed nine square feet in area (overall dimensions) and may not exceed four feet in height, on the premises pertaining to the construction, lease, rent or sale of a building or premises. A nameplate or bulletin board not exceeding 20 square feet at the entrance to a church or an educational building or similar institution. Contractor signs may be placed only on the property on which contract work is being performed. Contractor signs may be displayed until work requiring a building permit is completed or a maximum of 30 days. All other contractor signs are allowed for two weeks or 14 days. Contractors shall not display signs on properties the contractor owns or has an interest in. All signs shall be placed on the property and not allowed on public or Borough property. Temporary signs, e.g., "Open House" signs, are allowed on curbside, not to exceed 48 hours.
C. 
Customary warning signs and signs indicating the private nature of a driveway, provided that the size of the sign does not exceed 1 1/2 square feet (overall dimensions) and provided that the sign is not illuminated and is maintained in the proper condition.
D. 
A single historical marker shall be permitted on a historically significant property as determined by the Riverton Historical Society and with the approval of the owners of the property. The marker shall be supplied and installed by the Riverton Historical Society, which will approve the design of the marker. Such marker will be freestanding and shall be placed in the front or side yard of the historical property. The marker shall not exceed two square feet in area. It shall be made of a weather-resistant metal material and supported by a single upright metal or wooden brace cemented into the ground and shall not impede foot traffic.
[Amended 4-2-2014 by Ord. No. 2-2014[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection D as Subsection E.
E. 
No other signs are permitted without a variance.
The following signs shall be allowed in the business districts:
A. 
One identification sign for each business use which shall not exceed 30 square feet in area (overall dimensions). Any such sign which is attached to the principal facade of such use may be parallel thereto, in which case the sign shall not extend more than nine inches beyond such facade. Such signs may be attached perpendicular to the principal facade of such use, in which case the sign shall not extend more than six feet from the facade, or over any portion of a sidewalk or street. Not more than one sign applying to the same business may be erected on any one side of a building used for business purposes. Such signs may be erected upon a pole or other standing support so long as the other provisions hereof are met. No signs may be erected in a sidewalk area or between a sidewalk and the street curbline. No lighted signs shall be of the flashing type.
[Amended 12-9-2009 by Ord. No. 11-2009]
B. 
Rear doors shall be identified as to occupancy for fire or other emergency protection.
C. 
In addition to the single identification sign as permitted in Subsection A above, one mobile sign as defined in § 128-12, is permitted for each business subject to the following conditions:
[Added 12-9-2009 by Ord. No. 11-2009]
(1) 
The sign may not be located in any manner or place which constitutes a hazard to, or which impairs, pedestrian or vehicular traffic, blocks visibility, or obscures any traffic sign, signal, or device. Its location must provide a four-foot pedestrian clearance, at a minimum.
(2) 
The sign may not block or obstruct any legally required fire exit, curbside car door opening area, or other exit.
(3) 
The sign itself may not exceed four feet in overall height and two feet in total width 24 inches by 48 inches.
(4) 
The sign must be located on property owned or leased by the business. The sign may not be located on Borough or public property [unless approved by Borough Council pursuant to § 128-70I(2)(e).
(5) 
Once erected, the sign base must have no more than an eighteen-inch separation.
(6) 
The sign shall include a weighted stabilizing base or other suitable mechanism to prevent accidental collapse or falling. It shall not be strapped to any vertical structure to maintain stability.
(7) 
The sign shall not include any lighting or sound generation equipment.
(8) 
The design of the sign is subject to review by the Historic Preservation Commission.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended pursuant to Ord. No. O-2023-05A, adopted 10-11-2023, which replaced the Architectural Review Committee with the Historic Preservation Commission.
(9) 
The sign shall be of sound construction, and it shall be kept in good condition.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, alter, relocate or maintain within the Borough of Riverton any sign as set forth herein above without first making application for and obtaining, from the Borough Clerk, a permit therefor.
B. 
A Uniform Construction Code (UCC)[1] permit shall not be required for signs meeting all the following conditions:
(1) 
Signs supported by uprights or braces in or upon the ground surface.
(2) 
Signs not serviced by electrical circuit directly connected to the sign.
(3) 
Signs not greater than 25 square feet in surface (one side).
(4) 
Signs not more than six feet above the ground (mounted height).
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 64, Construction Codes, Uniform.
C. 
Application for sign permits may be obtained from the Borough Clerk during office hours or from the Construction Code Official or the Zoning Officer during their office hours. The application for a permit shall be made on forms of the Borough when a UCC permit is not required and shall contain the following information:
(1) 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant and sign erector.
(2) 
Location of the structure to which the sign shall be attached.
(3) 
Scale drawing of the sign showing all details including message, color, lighting and structural design.
(4) 
A plot plan showing the exact location of the sign to be erected or mounted.
D. 
The Borough Clerk, upon receipt of an application, shall refer the same to the Zoning Officer who shall examine the application and the proposed site and determine whether the sign conforms to the requirements of this chapter. If it is determined that a UCC permit is required, the applicant will be notified. The applicant shall then be required to fill out a UCC permit request, available from the Borough Clerk.
E. 
Permits may be removed by the Borough Council upon hearing after due notice for failure to comply continuously with the provisions hereof.
F. 
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter that the provisions for signs apply to existing signs, lawfully erected, at the date of this amendment as well as to new signs, so that continued maintenance and the good repair of such signs may be assured.
G. 
Permits and fees. The fee in force by the UCC[2] shall apply for all signs requiring a UCC permit. The fee for all other signs shall be $25.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 64, Construction Codes, Uniform.
H. 
Inspection. The Construction Code Official shall perform inspections of signs requiring a UCC permit. The Code Enforcement Official shall perform inspections of other signs. The property owner/applicant shall notify the Borough Clerk when a sign is installed and ready for inspection.
I. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
All sign exemption requests shall be presented to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for review. All persons applying for exemption shall request a variance through normal procedures.
(2) 
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, and provided that the following signs do not require a UCC permit, such signs shall be exempt from the non-UCC permit requirements herein but shall be registered with the Borough Clerk by the person responsible for erecting and removing the sign (unless the responsible person can be determined from the content of the sign itself):
(a) 
Political campaign lawn signs.
(b) 
Temporary signs (e.g., garage sale, hoagie sale or open house sign). No more than four signs may be put in place no sooner than 10 days prior to the event and removed the day after the event.
(c) 
Signs advertising properties for sale, rent or lease on the property that is for sale, rent or lease. On the day following settlement or signing of the lease, signs shall be removed. Signs shall not be placed on public or Borough property.
(d) 
Holiday signs.
(e) 
Signs on public or Borough property when Borough Council has given authorization.
(3) 
The Code Enforcement Official may inspect all exempt signs. The responsible person shall have all signs that are determined to be unsafe removed or made safe within 24 hours of notification.
The following signs are prohibited in all districts:
A. 
Signs with a lighting arrangement that is more than that which is necessary for the primary illumination of the sign, in the opinion of the Planning Board. This shall include exposed lighting which is intended to attract attention as well as to illuminate the sign.
B. 
Any portable sign.
C. 
Any sign that violates any provision of this code or the Uniform Construction Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 64, Construction Codes, Uniform.
D. 
Any sign so located as to obscure all or any portion of a sign or traffic signal erected by a governmental authority.
E. 
Any sign, except fire signs, so erected, constructed or maintained as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, window, door or opening used as a means of egress or ingress or for fire-fighting purposes or placed so as to interfere with any opening for ventilation required by law.
F. 
Any sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any road or any building other than the building to which the sign may be related.
G. 
Any sign of which all or any part is in motion by any means, including fluttering or rotating. This shall not apply to the hands of a clock or to a weather vane.
H. 
Any sign displaying flashing or intermittent lights, rotating beams or lights of changing degrees of intensity of color, except signs indicating time, temperature, barometric pressure or air pollution index, but only when the sign does not constitute public safety or traffic hazard in the judgment of the Planning Board.
I. 
Any sign that is attached to a tree or rock, whether on public or private property, except official notices or announcements.
J. 
Any sign that is attached to a public utility pole, whether on public or private property, except official notices or announcements.
K. 
Any sign which by reason of its location, position, size, shape or color may obstruct, impair, obscure, confuse or interfere with any traffic control sign, signal or device. Accordingly, no sign shall use the words "stop," "slow," "caution," "yield," "danger," "warning" or "go" when such sign may be confused with a traffic control sign used or displayed by a public authority.
L. 
Any advertisement which uses a series of two or more signs or units placed in a line parallel to the highway or in similar fashion, all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.
M. 
Signs advertising any business or industry not conducted within the Borough.
N. 
Signs extending above the roof line.
O. 
Outdoor billboards.
P. 
Pavement signs, except for identification of handicap parking stalls and fire zones and areas.
Q. 
Any commercial sign on public or Borough property.