Downtown Hanford Murals

mural

Thank you for your interest in creating a mural in downtown Hanford. To effectively implement a successful mural program, which will ensure consistency and aesthetic value in the community, it is important that applicants adhere to the following guidelines. The application process and guidelines that follow are intended to provide mural applicants with a reasonable process that will safeguard the interests of the community. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Community Development Director Jason Waters and/or Community Relations Manager Brian Johnson.

Mural Review Process

Murals which are non-commercial, contain no advertising copy, and which do not function as an advertisement are allowed, subject to review by the Community Development Department.

Design Criteria

The Department will verify that the proposed mural:

  1. Conforms with City ordinances that prohibit indecency or obscenity in public;
  2. Is not an advertisement or commercial in nature; however, this will in no way limit or restrict the artist’s right to include speech and/or artistic expression in a mural that is not commercial as defined above;
  3. Is being painted with the written authorization of the property owner; and
  4. Is located within the City’s MX-D Downtown Mixed Use zone district.

The City’s Community Development Department will issue a permit to the applicant if their Mural Application meets the Design Criteria. The Community Development Department may recommend design revisions and require applicants to resubmit if the design criteria are not met.

Appeals

In the event that the applicant fails to receive approval for the submitted mural design they may appeal this decision to the City Council, in accordance with HMC 1.08. (application and fees apply).

Timeframe

In determining the timeframe for the approval process, applicants should allow sufficient time for the mural proposal to be reviewed two times, in the event a recommendation is made by staff for a design revision. Typically, requests for approval should be received no later than 90 days prior to actual implementation of design.

Mural Application (see Online Mural Application)

The Mural Application shall contain the following:

  1. A rendering or photo of the proposed mural at a 1:12 scale [1 inch = 1 foot] minimum
  2. Specifications regarding the mural (location, size, type of paint/media, type of graffiti-proofing);
  3. Signed authorization to paint mural from property owner;
  4. Expected timeframe for completion;
  5. Application for Encroachment Permit and/or Historic Resource Permit, if necessary.

PLEASE NOTE: Once the mural has been approved, the artist may not make additional changes to the design without Community Development Department approval.

Ordinance No. 25-07