The purpose and objective of this chapter is to provide for the construction, fabrication, placement, markings, symbols, maintenance, and illumination of signs; to encourage an attractive environment for business and the city; and to provide the business community a format for advertising the goods and services they offer. The International Building Code (IBC) is the basis for this chapter.
All requirements per the IBC are to be followed in addition to this chapter, except where noted or where this ordinance is more restrictive.
(Ord. 07-011 § 1, 2007; Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
In addition to the definitions as found in the IBC, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this section:
"Banner"
means any temporary sign that is made from fabric, vinyl, or similar nondurable material and is designed to be hung from a building, a support pole or between support poles.
"Billboard"
means a freestanding sign that exceeds 200 square feet on its facing.
"Carnival sign" and "county fair sign"
means those signs associated with such activities and found within the carnival or fairgrounds.
Easement.
See "Right-of-way."
"Election sign" or "campaign sign"
means any temporary sign that promotes a person(s) for political office or position, or promotes an idea for public vote or comment.
"Facing" or "face"
means that portion of the sign area upon which the advertising is affixed, or contained, and visible in only one direction.
"Flag"
means a piece of cloth with colors and patterns representing symbols of a nation, state, religious denomination, university, service organization, business, or recognized military branch of service or unit.
"Freestanding"
means supported by its own structure and not attached to the exterior surface of a building.
"Governmental sign"
means any sign designed and constructed by a governmental agency or municipality for informational purposes to the general public.
"Hand carried sign"
means any sign that is hand held or attached to a person's body in any fashion.
"Inflatable sign"
means any device, figure, or sign that is used for commercial advertising purposes, is inflated by any means, and is temporary in nature.
"LED sign"
means any sign that utilizes light emitting diodes, plasma, or similar technology to transmit a message, image, or animation including leader/message boards, video screens, and streaming video images.
"Mean ground level"
means the average ground level within a 100 foot radius of the proposed sign's base or support pole.
"Monument sign"
means a sign that has dimensions not exceeding six feet in height and is supported by its own base and not by a pole or other support structure.
"NIT"
means a candela per square meter measure of luminance.
"Placard sign"
means a sign that is made of cardboard or other nondurable material and is temporarily placed on one's property.
"Portable sign"
means a sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or building by way of a foundation or by support wires/cables.
"Real estate sign"
means any temporary sign that advertises property for sale or rent.
"Right-of-way"
means the area of land that is owned or controlled by the city, county, or state.
"Sandwich board sign"
means any sign that is placed directly on the ground and is hinged, from the top or side, to form a "V" or other shape.
"Spot light sign"
means any illuminated type sign that has its image projected by a beam of light onto another surface or any sign that consists of a beam of light for the sole purpose of drawing attention to the general public.
"Temporary sign"
means any sign placed for an intended duration of 90 days or less.
(Ord. 07-011 § 1, 2007; Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
All exterior signs will conform to the IBC with the following additional regulations or exceptions.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
A. 
Commercial. The maximum height of any ground sign or pole sign, measured from mean ground level, shall be as follows:
1. 
Federal Boulevard corridor consisting of commercial zoned property (200 feet either side of the centerline of Federal) north of Webbwood and south of Monroe shall have a maximum height of 40 feet.
2. 
Federal Boulevard corridor consisting of commercial zoned property (200 feet either side of the centerline of Federal) south of Webbwood and north of Monroe and Main Street corridor (200 feet either side of the centerline of Main Street) shall have a maximum height of 30 feet.
3. 
The balance of commercially zoned property shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.
B. 
Residential. The maximum height of any ground sign or pole sign, measured from mean ground level, shall not exceed four feet, with exception as follows:
1. 
Flag poles not to exceed height restriction per zone designation.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008; Ord. 11-002 § 1, 2011)
A. 
General. The maximum sign area for any one face of a sign shall not exceed 200 square feet, excluding base, supports, and other structural elements.
B. 
Home Occupation. The maximum sign face area to identify the home occupation shall be two square feet and be attached to the main or accessory structure.
C. 
Home Identification. The maximum sign face area to identify the home address and/or occupant(s) shall be one square foot.
D. 
Temporary. The maximum sign face area for temporary signs e.g., realtor, garage sale, shall be six square feet per sign face.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
Any sign that is altered or modified more than 25% of its total face area, or face surface area replaced in whole, or whose support structure is repaired or replaced shall be considered a new sign and comply with all provisions of this chapter.
Exception. A replacement of exact size and shape of the sign face or exact support structure will be exempted to comply with this section.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
A. 
No portion of a sign shall be placed on or extend into (encroach) a right-of-way or easement as defined in this chapter.
Exceptions:
1. 
As allowed in the most recent edition of the International Building Code as adopted by the city of Riverton.
2. 
Hand carried signs and temporary signs as defined in subsection C of this section and in compliance with Section 12.20.010 "Obstructions of view at street intersections—Prohibited."
3. 
In the Main Street corridor between Federal Boulevard and 2nd Street West, no portion of a sign or canopy shall extend into (encroach) the right-of-way closer than the nearest edge of a street luminaire (street light) as measured from the property line or if between luminaires then not closer than the nearest edge of the imaginary line between the two luminaires.
B. 
Signs shall not interfere with vision at intersections per Chapter 12.20 of this code.
C. 
Signs shall not be placed on any property zoned residential except temporary signs pertaining to campaigns, the lease, sale, rental, construction, or home improvement of said property, or other property with the property owner's approval, and not exceeding six square feet of facing per side, and except further any signs that identify the address, occupant, or home occupation of the dwelling as long as the sign is attached to the dwelling and does not exceed two square foot of facing (one side only) in size.
D. 
Signs shall not interfere with or block from view any governmental sign.
E. 
Signs shall not interfere with any overhead utility line and shall meet the National Electric Code and electrical utility requirements for separation.
F. 
Signs shall not interfere with any vehicle or pedestrian traffic or line of sight.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008; Ord. 12-007 § 1, 2012; Ord. 14-003 § 1, 2014)
A. 
No sign shall resemble, by way of shape, color, or position, any governmental sign.
B. 
Signs requiring permits shall be designed and constructed for a 90 miles per hour wind load with said design being stamped by a structural engineer.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
All signs require a building permit with exception to inflatable signs, hand held signs, carnival signs, county fair signs, banners, placard signs, political election/campaign signs and those exemptions listed in the IBC.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
LED signs are subject to the following:
A. 
Messages and images must pertain to the on-sight business with exception to the advertisement of community events and activities.
B. 
LED signs are not allowed within 200 feet of a residential zoned district with exception to schools.
C. 
Any school LED sign shall not exceed an overall size of 50 square feet and not be illuminated between the hours of ten p.m. and six thirty a.m.
D. 
Light intensity, measured in NITs, shall be limited as follows:
Color
Daytime*
Nighttime
Red only
2,250
450
Green only
4,500
900
Amber only
3,350
675
Full Color
5,000
1,000
*
Commencing one-half hour prior to sunrise and ending one-half hour after sunset.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
Sandwich board signs are permitted as long as they:
A. 
Do not exceed 10 square feet per side;
B. 
Do not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow;
C. 
Are removed at close of business.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
Flags mounted on flagpoles in excess of sign heights designated in 17.22.050(A) shall be limited to the flag of the United States of America and the state flag of Wyoming.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008; Ord. 19-014 § 1, 2020)
All signs shall be maintained in a safe and neat condition. Any sign that is damaged or deteriorated to the extent that the message and facing are incomplete shall be deemed in a "poor state of repair." Signs deemed in a "poor state of repair" may be ordered repaired or removed by the city of Riverton. Notice shall be by regular first class mail with 30 day notice to repair or remove sign, from said mailing date. If said sign is not removed or repaired, the city will remove the sign and charge the owner all costs associated with the sign's removal and disposal. Said charges will be minimum one hour Grade 5 personnel plus equipment.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)
All temporary signs will be removed by their owner or their representative within 90 days of placement of sign, or when ordered by the city of Riverton. If said sign is not removed, the city will remove the sign and charge the owner all costs associated with the sign's removal and disposal. Said charges will be minimum one hour Grade 5 personnel plus equipment.
(Ord. 08-002 § 1, 2008)