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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Public Hearing Re: Amendments to Title 2 and Title 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code, 1995 (Zoning Code), relating to Murals (Zoning Code Amendment Case No. PZC-0018- 2026).
1. Introduction of Ordinance adding Chapter 30.38 to the Glendale Zoning Code (Title 30), entitled “Murals”, repealing section 30.33.230, and amending sections
2.12.030, 30.33.020, 30.40.010, 30.40.020, 30.41.050, 30.47.020, 30.47.030,
30.47.040, 30.47.050, 30.47.070, 30.47.075, 30.47.090, and 30.61.010 of the Glendale Municipal Code (GMC), 1995.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Public Hearing
Approved for August 25, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report details the introduction of an Ordinance proposing a new chapter to Title 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code (GMC) entitled “Murals”, repealing one section, and amending thirteen sections of the GMC, 1995 (collectively, “amendments”).
The Zoning Code amendments update the existing mural design review standards and establish a clear set of procedures for mural installation, maintenance and de-installation.
The amendments were presented to the Arts & Culture Commission on June 18, 2026, and they unanimously approved a motion recommending that the Planning Commission review and recommend to the City Council adopt the proposed amendments. The amendments were presented to the Planning Commission for review on July 15, 2026.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a motion recommending the City Council adopt the proposed amendments with the following comments:
1) The draft ordinance shall be revised to include language stating that if the applicant seeks to extend the term of the mural permit and the extension includes no design changes or alterations to the mural, the mural permit fee shall be 25% of the original permit fee amount;
2) The draft ordinance shall be revised to include the new language in GMC Section
30.47.020 from Ordinance No. 6052.
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RECOMMENDATION
That City Council review and adopt the proposed Ordinance with the Planning Commission’s recommended amendments.
ANALYSIS
On November 3, 2020, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 5955, which amended various sections of Title 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code (“GMC”), and transferred design review authority of murals from the Design Review Board to the Arts & Culture Commission. Currently, regulations regarding murals exist under various sections in the Glendale Zoning Code (Title 30). Further, the current mural regulations are minimal and do not provide a thorough procedure for mural installation, maintenance, and removal.
Consequently, Staff is proposing a new GMC chapter dedicated to mural regulations that establishes clear standards and addresses installation, maintenance and removal procedures. Additionally, other GMC sections referencing murals are recommended for amendment/deletion so that the mural regulations are consolidated into one chapter.
To establish a mural ordinance that will address these issues, Library, Arts & Culture (LAC) staff consulted the prominent public art ordinance expert, Sarah Odenkirk, Esq., and Planning staff to ensure legality, accuracy and consistency. After a delay due to a 2024 movement to require muralists to obtain state contractor licenses – similar to painters – on January 1, 2026, a new law took effect (SB 456) which exempts muralists from California State contractor’s license requirements.
Following passage of SB 456, Planning and LAC staff completed review of the proposed Ordinance and the related Mural Policies and Procedures and Required Documents and presented same to the Arts & Culture Commission on June 18, 2026. The Arts & Culture Commission unanimously approved a motion recommending that the Planning Commission review and recommend the City Council adopt the proposed Code amendments (EXHIBIT 2). The Arts & Culture Commission did not receive any public comment in opposition to the proposed Mural Ordinance.
On July 15, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance and unanimously approved a motion to recommend adoption of these amendments to the City Council, with the following comments: 1) The draft ordinance shall be revised for City Council consideration to include language stating that if the applicant seeks to extend the term of the mural permit and the extension includes no design changes or alterations to the mural, the mural permit fee shall be 25% of the original mural permit fee amount; and 2) The draft ordinance shall be revised for City Council consideration to include the new language in GMC Section 30.47.020 from Ordinance No. 6052 (EXHIBIT 3).
Proposed Addition of Chapter 30.38:
Current Zoning Code standards regulates murals through various sections, including Chapters 30.33 “SIGNS”, 30.40 “APPLICATION FILING AND PROCEDURES”, 30.47 “DESIGN REVIEW”, and 30.61 “HEARING AND PUBLIC NOTICES”. The proposed Chapter 30.38 establishes one GMC chapter dedicated to mural regulation. It provides appropriate time, place, and manner requirements for murals and a thorough procedure 11a3
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for how murals should be installed, maintained, and removed, which are standards that do not currently exist in the Zoning Code. Additionally, the proposed Ordinance expands the locations where murals can be located from only Commercial and Industrial Zones to Commercial, Mixed Use, Industrial, and Transit Oriented Development Zones.
The following is a summary of the proposed Chapter 30.38 Sections:
Section 30.38.010 (Purpose and Intent):
Sets forth the purpose and intent of Chapter 30.38. It is important to encourage original murals on public and private buildings in the City because they are an essential element of the City’s quality of life and they prevent vandalism and eradicate blight. While the City has a desire to encourage artistic expression throughout the City, the proposed Chapter 30.38 also regulates murals on a content-neutral basis and establishes reasonable time, place, and manner requirements.
Section 30.38.020 (Definitions):
Provides definitions of words and phrases that are relevant to the Chapter.
Section 30.38.030 (Applicability):
Establishes the locations where murals can be located, which include Commercial, Mixed Use, Industrial, and Transit Oriented Development Zones, and provides the processes for installing murals on private and public property.
Section 30.38.040 (Mural Permit Required):
Requires a person to first obtain a Mural Permit and a recordation of a Mural Maintenance Agreement before installing a mural on private property.
Section 30.38.050 (General Regulations):
Provides the general regulations for murals, including but not limited to the size of the mural, what the mural may consist of or contain, the brightness of the mural, whether anything may protrude from the mural, where the mural may be located, and what may be included in the signature area of the mural.
Section 30.38.060 (Mural Permit Application):
Establishes the Mural Permit application process. Applications are submitted to the Library, Arts & Culture Department. Applications include a Mural Maintenance Agreement if the Mural is to be located on private property, an Artist Waiver and Agreement for Mural Placed on Private Property, a Mural Permit fee, Certified public notice mailing list for all owners and occupants within a 500 foot radius of the project, site plan and rendering of the mural, and any additional information or materials deemed reasonably necessary by the Library, Arts & Culture Director or designee. The Director of Library, Arts & Culture shall determine whether the applications are complete before the application is submitting for review by the Arts & Culture Commission.
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Section 30.38.070 (Authority):
Establishes that the Arts & Culture Commission shall be the review authority for all Mural Permit Applications.
Section 30.38.080 (Public Notice and Hearings):
Sets forth the procedure for public notice and hearings regarding Mural Permit applications. The notice of the hearing must contain the date, time, and place of the hearing, the general nature of the proposed permit, the address or description of the property involved, and shall be mailed at least 10 days before the date of the hearing to property owners and occupants within a 500 foot radius of the property. At least 10 days before the hearing, the applicant must also post a poster sized sign in a conspicuous place on the property.
Section 30.38.090 (Artist Waiver and Agreement for Murals Placed on Private Property):
Requires property owners to first obtain an executed Artist Waiver and Agreement from the Artist who designed the Mural sought to be placed upon the property prior to the issuance of any Mural Permit and prior to the execution of any Mural Maintenance Agreement.
Section 30.38.100 (Mural Maintenance Agreement):
Completion of a Mural Maintenance Agreement is a prerequisite to the issuance of a Mural Permit. The Director of Library, Arts & Culture, or a designee, is authorized to record the Mural Maintenance after the 15-day appeal period has lapsed.
Section 30.38.110 (Mural Alterations):
Prohibits alterations to any permitted mural without first obtaining a Mural Permit approving the proposed alteration.
Section 30.38.120 (Permit Termination, Extension and Duration):
Governs duration, extension and termination of a Mural Permit. A Mural Permit terminates 6 months after the granting of the permit unless the right or privilege has commenced in good faith prior to such time. Applicants may request and be granted a one-time extension of an additional 6 months by submitting a written request for extension and demonstrating that a reasonable effort to act on such right or privilege has commenced within 6 months of the approval date. The Director of Library, Arts & Culture may grant a Mural Permit for a period of time not to exceed 5 years and the term may be extended at the discretion of the Director of Library, Arts & Culture.
Section 30.38.130 (Appeal Process):
Establishes the appeal process for Mural Permits. Any aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the Arts & Culture Commission to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a Mural Permit to the City Council in the manner provided in Chapter 2.88 of the GMC. If an applicant wants to change a mural design after a decision has 11a5
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been made by the Arts & Culture Commission, the applicant may submit a modified mural design and maintenance plan to be considered by the City Council on appeal, or withdraw the Mural Permit application.
Section 30.38.140 (Mural Removal):
Provides that a mural may be removed prior to its Removal Date at the request of the applicant or property owner, or at the request of the Library, Arts & Culture Department. The process for early removal is set forth in the City of Glendale Mural Policies and Procedures and Required Documents.
Section 30.38.150 (Prohibition and Enforcement):
Violations of the Chapter may result in administrative fines, penalties, costs, and revocation of the Mural Permit. A violation of the Chapter is also a misdemeanor.
Section 30.38.160 (Promulgation of Policies and Guidelines):
Authorizes the Library, Arts & Culture Department to adopt rules of procedure it deems necessary to properly exercise its powers and duties regarding murals.
The following is a summary of the proposed amendments to the GMC related to Murals:
Proposed Amendments to GMC Section 2.12.030:
Provide the Library, Arts & Culture Department the authority to promulgate and implement mural program guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Proposed Amendments to GMC Sections 30.33.020, 30.33.230, 30.40.010,
30.40.020, 30.41.050, 30.47.020, 30.47.030, 30.47.040, 30.47.050, 30.47.070,
30.47.075, 30.47.090, and 30.61.010:
These “clean up” amendments to various Zoning Code sections remove mention of murals and their review body as murals will be governed under the proposed Chapter 30.38.
The proposed amendments also include a correction to GMC Section 30.47.020 pertaining to Design Review exemptions that was inadvertently changed when the Zoning Code was amended to add Objective Design Standards (ODS) earlier this year. In 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6027 as part of the Community Development Department’s process streamlining efforts. In May of 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 6052 establishing ODS for multi-family and mixed-use development in commercial and residential zones which included revisions to GMC Section 30.47.020, but the ODS ordinance unintentionally included old language that had been modified in the 2024 ordinance change. The proposed Mural Ordinance makes that correction.
The Mural Policies and Procedures and Required Documents (“Policies and Procedures”) was presented as an exhibit to the Arts & Culture Commission on June 18, 2026 and to the Planning Commission on July 15, 2026. The Policies and Procedures attached hereto as Exhibit 1 have subsequently been revised to include additional documents to the Original Mural Art Application, specifically a Conflict of Interest Statement and an 11a6
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Owner/Applicant Affidavit, and to include an Information Sheet – Campaign Finance Ordinance for Applicants Seeking Entitlement.
At the time of adoption of the proposed Mural Ordinance, staff will include a resolution seeking to amend the Citywide Fee Schedule to include a Mural Renewal Fee of $25, which is 25% of the Mural Permit Fee, if the applicant seeks to extend the term of the mural permit and the extension incudes no design changes or alterations to the mural.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
On November 17, 2021, LAC staff hosted an online Mural Ordinance Community Input meeting and invited constituents to share feedback on a proposed mural ordinance for the City of Glendale.
The Zoning Code requires public notice when the Council considers adoption of amendments to the Zoning Code. Staff has published all required notices for this hearing.
Public notice was also provided for the Planning Commission hearing on July 15, 2026.
On August 17, 2026, staff sent an email to the 4,000+ subscribers of the Arts & Culture email list, including artists, arts organizations, and interested parties prior to the City Council meeting. The email informed recipients of the proposed Mural Ordinance and invited public participation and comment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff has determined, and will recommend that the Planning Commission and the City Council find, that these proposed amendments to Title 30 of the Glendale Municipal Code (the Zoning Code) are exempt from further review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 and 15305.
CEQA Guidelines section 15301 entitled “Existing Facilities” exempts from CEQA the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing licensing, or minor alteration to existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of the existing or former use.
This Ordinance provides a permitting procedure pursuant to which Murals may be installed on existing public and or private structures and does not involve the expansion of the use. CEQA Guidelines section 15305 entitled “Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations” exempts from CEQA minor alterations in land use limitations in areas with an average slope of less than 20%, which do not result in any changes in land use or density.
This Ordinance may result in minor alterations in land use limitations, specifically Mural installations, and does not result in any changes in land use or density.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements. 11a7
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ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1) Do not introduce proposed ordinance, in which case the existing standards will remain in effect.
2) Propose revisions to the ordinance, which would require review by Planning Commission and the return of the amended ordinance to City Council later. 3)City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, Director of Library, Arts & Culture Prepared by:
Jennifer Fukutomi-Jones, Assistant Director of Library, Arts & Culture Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
EXHIBIT 1 – Proposed Mural Policies and Procedures
EXHIBIT 2 – Arts & Culture Commission Meeting Mural Ordinance Motion (7.22.26) EXHIBIT 3 – Planning Commission Meeting Mural Ordinance Motion (7.28.26)