Enforcement.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.620.140
in effect19.620.140 - Enforcement.
The Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee may enforce the provisions of this chapter by appropriate permit decisions, orders and directives. Such decisions, orders and directives may include, but are not limited to, orders to get a permit or to comply with permit conditions, orders to remove, repair, upgrade, repaint, replace or relocate any sign. All such decision, orders and directives are subject to appeal as provided in this chapter. Any failure to follow a valid order or directive issued by the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and may be remedied in the same manner as any violation of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Riverside City Municipal Code. Notice of all decisions, orders and directives shall be deemed given when mailed to the last known address of the responsible party or parties.
A. Responsible parties. Sign related rights, duties and responsibilities are joint and several as to the owner of the property, the owner of any business or other establishment located on the property, and the owner of the sign. Any repair, painting, alteration, or removal will be at the expense of the property owner or business owner as applicable.
B. Abandoned signs. Any on-site commercial sign associated with a business that has ceased operations for 90 days may be deemed an abandoned sign, and may be ordered removed within ten business days. The removal duty falls jointly and severally upon the party which used the sign as part of the business and the owner of the land on which the sign is mounted or displayed.
C. Unremedied violations as public nuisance. When the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee has given a notice of decision, order or directive regarding a sign or sign permit, and any noticed deficiency remains uncured 30 calendar days after the notice has been mailed, the City may enforce any violation and seek any remedy authorized by law, including but not limited to those methods available for any violation of the City's zoning laws, general laws, state or federal law, whether by administrative proceedings, a criminal action, and/or a civil lawsuit for abatement of nuisance (which may include requests for declaratory and injunctive relief), or abatement or removal by the City at the cost of the responsible parties, reimbursement for which may be secured by a lien recorded against the property. In any civil court action the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
D. Removal by City: Public hearing. In the event that the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee seeks a cure or remedy by removal of the subject sign by the City, then the responsible parties shall be given 30 calendar day notice of a public hearing before the City Council to determine if the subject sign is a public nuisance and if the City should remove it if the responsible parties fail to do so with 30 calendar days after the City Council decision, or any other corrective action the Council may consider. All responsible parties shall be given notice of such hearing by certified mail, prepaid postage, addressed to their last known address. At such hearing, all responsible parties shall be given an opportunity to be heard, to present evidence and argument, to challenge the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee's decision, and to be represented by counsel.
E. Removal by City: Actual removal, redemption. If, following the public hearing, the Council authorizes removal of the subject sign by the City; said removal may take place at any time five or more calendar days following the hearing and decision. The City may remove the subject sign by its own force, or by a contracted agent. Any removed sign shall be stored by the City for at least 30 calendar days, during which time the City shall take all reasonable efforts to notify the sign owner that the sign is in the City's possession and may be redeemed by reimbursing the City for the cost of removal. If the sign owner fails to redeem the sign within 30 calendar days of the notice, then the City may dispose of the sign by any means it deems appropriate. If the sign is sold, then the net proceeds of such sale shall reduce the reimbursement owed to the City by the responsible parties.
F. Remedy by City. In the event that a valid directive or order of the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee is not followed, and is not timely appealed, then the Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee may give 30 calendar day written notice and opportunity to cure, to the responsible parties that the City shall take corrective action and assess the cost of doing so as a lien against the property, using such procedures as are required by state or local law. The Community & Economic Development Director or his/her designee may grant a reasonable extension of time, not to exceed 120 calendar days to effect the required correction, if the owner or occupant of the premises has made proper application for a new sign which would accomplish the same result.
G. Removal—Scope. If the option of removing a sign or signs is exercised, whether by private parties or by the City, said sign(s) shall be completely removed, including all poles, structures, electrical equipment, cabinets and sign faces. Building walls, grounds or other items on which such signs have been placed shall be restored to good repair and appearance.
(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_19.620.140ENFetched: 11/1/2026