Historic signs.
Riverside Municipal Code § 19.620.120
in effect19.620.120 - Historic signs.
A. Purpose and intent. These regulations are intended to further the City's historic preservation efforts by providing for the preservation and restoration of historic and iconic signs and establishment of new signs that reflect the architectural and historic character and identity of designated historic buildings and historic districts in a manner that is consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
1. In adopting the provisions in this section, the City Council intends to allow the construction and installation of signs that, while not in compliance with sign regulations elsewhere in this chapter, would be in character with the building on which or district within which it is proposed to be located.
2. While encouraging the maintenance and restoration of historic signage, it is not the intent of these regulations to require all signs on a designated historic building to be exact replicas of the signs that would have been on the building when it was new.
B. Responsibilities. All decisions regarding appropriate sign types and applications shall be made in accordance with Title 20 of the Municipal Code. Any appeal of the decision shall be in accordance with Title 20 of the Municipal Code.
C. Signs for designated historic resources (structures of merit or landmarks) and contributors to designated historic districts.
1. Projecting signs, vehicle oriented. In lieu of a permitted building sign, a double faced projecting sign may be installed, provided such sign does not exceed the size allowance for the building sign it replaces, such sign does not project more than 48 inches from the building face, is attached with rigid supports in a manner acceptable to the Building and Safety Division, and the lowermost portion of the sign is located no less than eight feet or more than ten feet above grade level below the sign.
2. Projecting signs, pedestrian oriented. In lieu of a permitted under canopy sign, a maximum four square foot projecting sign may be installed. Such sign shall project no more than 30 inches from the building face, be attached with rigid supports in a manner acceptable to the Building and Safety Division, and the lowermost portion of the sign shall be no less than eight feet or more than ten feet above grade level below the sign.
3. Roof signs. In lieu of permitted freestanding signs pursuant to Section 19.620.080 or vehicle oriented projecting signs allowed by sub-section 1, the Board may approve a roof sign where documented evidence can be established for the presence of a roof sign within the period of significance of a building that is a designated structure of merit or landmark or a building that is a contributor to a designated historic district. Such roof sign may be replicated in its original historic size, shape, like-appearing materials, and placement to identify a current use in the building.
D. Certificate of Appropriateness. Any sign governed by this section shall:
1. Be designed to have the appearance of a historic sign appropriate to the building and/or period of significance of the Historic District.
2. Comply with current structural and electrical regulations.
3. Be subject to review and approval per the standards, criteria, and procedures of Title 20 of the Municipal Code.
E. Sign lighting. Lighting shall be in accordance with historically appropriate lighting types. This includes but is not limited to neon, individual incandescent bulbs, and overhead goose-neck lighting, subject to compliance with current electrical codes.
F. Encroachments into the public right-of-way. Any sign that would encroach into the public right-of-way shall first obtain an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department. See RMC Section 10.16.040 regarding unauthorized signs in the right-of-way.
G. Procedures. In considering the matter, the Historic Preservation Officer or Qualified Designee (HPO) or the Cultural Heritage Board may not approve any sign for the display of off-site commercial messages, and may not consider the message content of any non-commercial message. As to on-site commercial messages, the HPO or Board may not consider the message itself, but may consider whether the manner of presentation is visually consistent with the historical time and theme of the location. Whether the sign is proposed to be used for on-site commercial or noncommercial messages, the HPO or Board may consider the architectural and structural aspects for consistency and harmony with the historical theme and time of the proposed location. Unless time is waived by the applicant, the HPO or Board shall decide the issue within the time frames specified in Title 20 of the Municipal Code.
(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_19.620.120HISIFetched: 11/1/2026