Chapter 4.10 Purpose

City Code Chapter

4.10.010 Purpose of This Title.

  1. The purpose of this Title and the policy of the City of Portland is to permit and encourage original art murals on a content-neutral basis on certain terms and conditions.  Original art murals comprise a unique medium of expression which serves the public interest.  Original art murals have purposes distinct from signs and confer different benefits.  Such purposes and benefits include: improved aesthetics; avenues for original artistic expression; public access to original works of art; community participation in the creation of original works of art; community building through the presence of and identification with original works of art; and a reduction in the incidence of graffiti and other crime.  Murals can increase community identity and foster a sense of place and enclosure if they are located at heights and scales visible to pedestrians, are retained for longer periods of time and include a neighborhood process for discussion.