No sign shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, located, relocated, placed, replaced, restored, extended, enlarged, modified, altered, or repaired except in conformity with this title.
(Code 1997 § 12-321-101; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))
All sign construction and use shall comply with the International Building Code, the National Electrical Code, this chapter, and all federal, state and other applicable city regulations, including those concerning power line and other utility clearances.
(Code 1997 § 12-321-102; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))
(1) 
Permit Required. A sign permit shall be required prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, location, relocation, placement, replacement, restoration, extension, enlargement, modification, alteration, repair, or use of any sign within the city, unless designated as an exempt sign in RCC § 18.150.090. Sign permits requiring review of the city council are not automatically approved. Signs installed without a permit or in violation of the terms of a permit shall render the sign and its owner subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
Issuance. The planning department is empowered to:
(a) 
Issue permits to erect, construct, reconstruct, locate, relocate, place, replace, restore, extend, enlarge, modify, alter, repair or use signs which conform to this chapter and are a part of a sign development plan which has received approval of the city council; and
(b) 
Determine that all sign applications conform to this chapter.
(3) 
Zoning District Approval. Before any sign permit shall be issued, the planning department shall review the sign application to determine compliance with the land use provisions of the respective zone in which the relevant sign is found or proposed to be located.
(4) 
City Council Approval. Before a sign permit may be issued, the following levels of review and approval shall be obtained:
(a) 
A sign development plan for all nonresidential developments must be approved by the city council. A sign development plan may be reviewed and approved as a part of the applicant's application for site plan approval;
(b) 
Revised sign development plans for existing developments must be approved by the planning commission where an existing sign is proposed to be relocated or undergo a material change to the height or width of the sign;
(c) 
A sign conditional use permit must be obtained where required by this chapter.
(5) 
City Staff Approval. All other sign permits may be approved by the planning department.
(6) 
Application Submittal. Permit applications for a temporary or permanent sign shall be made by submitting the following information to the planning department:
(a) 
Applications for Monument and Pole Signs.
(i) 
A site plan showing the relationship of the sign to buildings, other signs, and property lines and setbacks from public rights-of-way, intersections, easements and driveways;
(ii) 
Accurately dimensioned, scaled drawings showing height, color, dimensions, landscaping, sign composition, type of illumination, and how the sign will appear from the street;
(iii) 
Details of sign construction, including: electrical plan, foundation scheme, and value of the sign; and
(iv) 
Length of property street frontage.
(b) 
Applications for Wall Signs.
(i) 
Scaled drawings or accurate, scaled photos showing dimensions of both the building face and the sign, sign composition, and type of illumination;
(ii) 
An architectural elevation drawing of the sign on the building to show how the sign will appear from the street/parking area; and
(iii) 
Details of sign construction and attachment including an electrical plan, if applicable.
(c) 
Applications for Temporary Signs.
(i) 
Site plan showing the relationship of the sign(s) to buildings, property lines, and other signs; and setbacks from each public right-of-way, intersection, easement, and driveway existing and adjacent to the property on which the temporary sign is to be situated. The site plan does not need to be professionally drawn; and
(ii) 
Length of requested period for display.
(d) 
Applications for Off-Premises Development and Private Directional Signs. Written consent from the owner of the property upon which the sign will be located.
(e) 
Applications for Kiosk Signs.
(i) 
Written approval from the property owner of the proposed location for the kiosk sign;
(ii) 
A letter of approval from UDOT, if applicable;
(iii) 
A kiosk location plan shall be prepared showing the site of each kiosk;
(iv) 
An approved kiosk location plan shall be resubmitted for approval every 12 months; and
(v) 
An annual fee, in an amount established by resolution of the city council.
(f) 
Additional Information Required for All Sign Permits.
(i) 
Proof of current Riverton City business license, where applicable;
(ii) 
Business address and phone number;
(iii) 
Address of real property owner and phone number;
(iv) 
General or electrical contractor license, phone number, and address; and
(v) 
Estimated fair market value of the sign and its cost of manufacture or construction; and
(vi) 
Property owner approval.
(7) 
Expiration of Permit. All sign permits shall expire 180 days following the date of issuance of the sign permit by the planning department, unless the sign is fully constructed according to the plans submitted with the application for the sign permit.
(Code 1997 § 12-321-103; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))
Fees as established by resolution of the city council shall be paid at the time of the issuance of the sign permit.
(Code 1997 § 12-321-104; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))
The following types of signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, but shall be in compliance with all other applicable provisions:
(1) 
On-Premises Development or Construction Signs. Two on-premises development or construction signs per street frontage of at least 100 feet, each no larger than 64 square feet in area and not exceeding 10 feet in height and which comply with the same size, location, spacing and display period standards as an off-premises development sign, may be placed on real property on which new subdivisions or homes are being constructed. The permitted number of on-premises development or construction signs located on real property shall not increase with the participation of multiple developers or builders participating in the development project. These signs must be removed within one year from the date the last building permit is issued within the development.
(2) 
On-Premises Real Estate Sign – Small Lots. Lots with less than 200 feet of frontage on a street may display one on-premises sign per lot; provided, that the sign is securely attached to the ground; advertises only that the home on the lot is for sale or rent, including signs titled "For Rent," "For Sale," "Open House," "For Lease," or similar signs; is no larger than eight square feet in area; and does not exceed six feet in height. "Open house" signs may only be displayed for the duration of the open house or eight consecutive hours, whichever is less, and shall be removed within 30 minutes after the conclusion of the advertised "open house."
(3) 
On-Premises Real Estate Sign – Large Lots. Notwithstanding the number limit in subsection (2) of this section, lots with 200 or more feet of frontage on a street may display two on-premises signs per lot, which are no larger than 16 square feet in area. The other provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall apply.
(4) 
Temporary Real Estate Directional Signs. Temporary real estate directional signs located to direct a potential customer to real property for sale or lease. The size of the sign shall not exceed four square feet and shall be placed at the entrance to the subdivision in which the subject property is located. The sign shall not be located within any public right-of-way, including park strip between curb and sidewalk, and shall be subject to the following:
(a) 
Directional signs to a residence shall be limited to one on-premises and three off-premises signs. If a realtor has more than one house open for inspection in a single development, off-premises signs are limited to four for the entire development;
(b) 
The signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the realtor or seller or an agent is in attendance at the property for sale or lease; and
(c) 
The directional signs shall be a minimum of 25 feet from any other freestanding sign and outside the clear vision area at street intersections.
(5) 
Noncommercial Signs. Noncommercial signs, not exceeding eight square feet in size, located on private property with the owner's permission. Noncommercial signage referring to a specific event must be removed 15 days after the event has occurred. Anywhere a display, structure or sign is permitted by this chapter, a noncommercial message may be placed on such display, structure or sign.
(6) 
Temporary Use On-Premises Sign. One 32-square-foot, temporary use on-premises sign placed in connection with a Christmas tree lot, fireworks stand or other temporary use that is approved and licensed by the city.
(7) 
Vacant Property Signs. Signs on undeveloped or vacant property including "No Dumping" or "No Trespassing" signs, provided the sign is eight square feet or less in area.
(8) 
Nameplates. A nameplate sign, provided the sign is no larger than four square feet in area.
(9) 
Directional Signs. Service or directional signs or signs located only on private property and not exceeding four square feet in area, which serve to designate the location or direction to any use or structure on the premises such as signs titled "Entrance," "Exit," "Parking," "Restrooms," "No Smoking," or "Delivery."
(10) 
Public Necessity or Regulatory Signs. Public necessity or regulatory signs which warn or inform as required by law, if erected by or on behalf of public agencies.
(11) 
Window Signs. Window signs, including posters, messages or displays painted or mounted on the interior side of a window; provided, that no more than 50 percent of the total window area on which the sign is located is covered.
(12) 
Garage/Yard Sale Signs. Temporary home production or garage sale signs on private property in residential zones; provided, that sign is no larger than four square feet in area.
(13) 
Public/Quasi-Public Signs. Flags, banners or pennants of governments, public agencies or institutions.
(14) 
Civic and Nonprofit Events. Signs which announce events, activities, or celebrations sponsored by, or conducted in conjunction with, Riverton City, Salt Lake County or the state of Utah. While no permit is required, such signs shall comply with the requirements and provisions of this chapter, including RCC § 18.150.120(12).
(15) 
Interior Signs. Interior signs or signs used within buildings and not intentionally positioned to be visible from the outside.
(16) 
Temporary Banners and Freestanding Signs Placed during Holiday Periods. In addition to the display periods specified in RCC § 18.150.120(12)(b), a business may display one banner, securely attached to the building facade, and one freestanding sign during the holiday periods specified below. Freestanding holiday signs shall not be larger than 50 square feet in size. The sign may be erected in front of the business on private property and shall be securely attached to the ground. The holiday periods during which temporary banners and freestanding signs may be displayed are as follows:
(a) 
Presidents' Day. Four days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(b) 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Four calendar days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(c) 
Memorial Day. Four days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(d) 
Independence Day. June 30th through July 3rd, and July 5th;
(e) 
Pioneer Day. July 20th through July 23rd, and July 25th;
(f) 
Labor Day. Four calendar days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(g) 
Columbus Day. Four calendar days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(h) 
Veterans' Day. Four calendar days before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and one calendar day after the holiday;
(i) 
Thanksgiving. One calendar day before the date of the holiday, on the holiday and four calendar days after the holiday; and
(j) 
Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's Day. December 15th through January 2nd.
(17) 
Art. Art or art forms that do not contain or imply any commercial message.
(18) 
Temporary Signs during Road Construction. Temporary signs displayed during periods of major road construction, as described by RCC § 18.150.120(13), or any successor section.
(19) 
Handheld Signs. Commercial handheld signs; provided, that each is no larger than six square feet in size, is displayed only during daylight hours, and is subject to the limitations of RCC § 18.150.140(2).
(20) 
New Building Construction – Temporary Signs. Shall be approved for 30 days before the estimated date of certificate of occupancy, and last until 14 days after the certificate of occupancy is issued; normal temporary sign ordinances apply.
(21) 
Political Signs. Political signs may be displayed without permit and are allowed; provided, that the signs are not erected in such a manner as to constitute a roof sign, are not located on property in a way that constitutes a safety or visibility problem and are not erected on utility poles, street signs or in public rights-of-way. Political signs lawfully erected without a sign permit must be located on private property with the property owner's consent and shall not be located within the city right-of-way or on any city-owned property or structure. All other provisions of this chapter shall continue to apply to political signs. Any sign placed in public right-of-way is subject to removal by city staff. When signs are removed for this reason, the responsible party shall be notified of the reason for the removal and the location. The sign will be made available for five calendar days to be picked up. After that time, the confiscated sign will be destroyed.
(Code 1997 § 12-321-105; Ord. 08-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 12-04 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 16-08 § 1 (Exh. A))