City Code Chapter
4.20.010 Allowed Original Art Murals.
- Original art murals that meet all of the following criteria and that are not prohibited will be allowed upon satisfaction of the applicable permit requirements:
- A. No part of the mural may exceed 30 feet in height measured from the grade plane.
- B. The mural must remain in place, without alterations, for a period of two years, except in limited circumstances to be specified in Administrative Rules. The applicant must certify in the permit application that the applicant agrees to maintain the mural in place for a period of two years without alteration.
- C. The mural may not extend more than six inches from the plane of the surface upon which it is tiled or painted or to which it is affixed.
- D. In Design overlay zones, the mural must meet all of the additional, objective design standards for original art murals, as established in Administrative Rules.
- E. In the Historic Resource overlay zone, murals may be allowed on buildings or structures that have been identified as non-contributing structures within Historic and Conservation Districts. These murals must meet all of the additional, objective design standards for original art murals, as established in Administrative Rules.
4.20.020 Prohibited Murals.
- The following are prohibited:
- A. Murals on sites developed with residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units on the site.
- B. Murals on sites with historic or conservation landmarks.
- C. Murals on sites containing buildings that have been identified as contributing structures to a historic or conservation district.
- D. Murals for which compensation is given or received for the display of the mural or for the right to place the mural on another’s property. The applicant must certify in the permit application that no compensation will be given or received for the display of the mural or the right to place the mural on the property.
- E. Murals that would result in a property becoming out of compliance with the provisions of Portland City Code Title 33, Planning and Zoning, or land use conditions of approval for the development on which the mural is to be located.
- F. Murals on stormwater facilities.
4.20.030 Relationship of Permitted Original Art Mural to other Regulations.
(Amended by Ordinance 191973, effective January 1, 2025.)
- The exemption of Portland City Code Subsection 32.12.020 J. applies only to original art murals for which a permit has been obtained under this Title and any adopted Administrative Rules. Issuance of an original art mural permit does not exempt the permittee from complying with any other applicable requirements of Portland City Code, including but not limited to Titles 24 and 33.
4.20.040 Exceptions to this Title.
- Exceptions to the regulations of this Title are prohibited.