Minimum criteria for sign design.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.620.060
in effect19.620.060 - Minimum criteria for sign design.
A. Architectural compatibility. A sign (including its supporting structure, if any) shall be designed as an integral design element of a building's architecture and shall be architecturally compatible, including color and scale, with any building to which the sign is to be attached and with surrounding structures. A sign that covers a window or that spills over "natural" boundaries or architectural features and obliterates parts of upper floors of buildings is detrimental to visual order and shall not be permitted.
B. Consistency with area character. A sign shall be consistent with distinct area or district characteristics and incorporate common design elements, such as sign materials or themes. Where a sign is located in close proximity to a residential area, the sign shall be designed and located so it has little or no impact on adjacent residential neighborhoods.
C. Legibility. The size and proportion of the elements of the sign's message, including logos, letters, icons and other graphic images, shall be selected based on the average distance and average travel speed of the viewer. Sign messages oriented towards pedestrians may be smaller than those oriented towards automobile drivers. Colors chosen for the sign text and/or graphics shall have sufficient contrast with the sign background in order to be easily read during both day and night.
D. Readability. A sign message shall be easily recognized and designed in a clear, unambiguous and concise manner, so that a viewer can understand or make sense of what appears on the sign.
E. Visibility. A sign shall be conspicuous and readily distinguishable from its surroundings so a viewer can easily see the information it communicates.
(Ord. 7717, § 3, 2025; Ord. 7331 §96, 2016; Ord. 7300 §2, 2015; Ord. 6966 §1, 2007)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT19ZO_ARTVIIISIPLGEDEPR_CH19.620GESIPR_19.620.060MICRSIDEFetched: 11/1/2026