Glendale has adopted its first mural ordinance, establishing a permitting process for artwork on public and private structures throughout the city, officials announced Tuesday.
The ordinance, more than five years in the making, updates the city’s existing mural design review standards and establishes procedures for the installation, maintenance and removal of murals.
City officials said the new regulations, which take effect in October, provide a formal process for approving murals on existing public and private structures.
“Public art has the power to transform spaces, tell our community’s stories and create a stronger sense of place,” said Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, director of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. “This ordinance provides the clarity and structure needed to support murals while preserving the creativity and artistic expression that make them meaningful.”
As part of the program, Glendale has launched an online mural permit application through the city’s Permits Portal, with the goal of expediting the review and approval process.
The City Council also approved a resolution Sept. 29 establishing a special fee arrangement for the first 100 qualifying mural applications.
Under the resolution, the first 100 applications for murals visible from a public right-of-way will be charged the city’s Mural Design Review Fee for small commercial businesses and nonprofit organizations, regardless of the size of the commercial business.
Officials said the measure is intended to encourage the expansion of murals throughout Glendale.
The ordinance establishes procedures for installing, maintaining and removing murals on public or private structures.
City officials said the requirements are intended to provide greater clarity for applicants while supporting artistic expression and the expansion of public art.
Additional information about the ordinance and the online mural permit application is available at glendaleartsandculture.org/murals.