Overview
The following language is that which appears in the Toledo Municipal Code defining the process for which public murals are to be approved by the City of Toledo. This process was put in place not to hinder the growth of public art in the community, but to protect the artwork and to help ensure the investment of artists and businesses owners who wish to create public mural projects so that they may be preserved and enjoyed for years to come.
Background
Murals are an integral part of the cultural expression in the City of Toledo. Murals will be created by artists of diverse cultural traditions and backgrounds. The intent is to aid artists and others in understanding issues surrounding the creation of a mural and to apprise parties involved in mural projects of the permit process. All conservation and restoration will be the responsibility of the property owner.
All murals which are on public property or visible from a public thoroughfare within the City of Toledo must receive prior permit approval from the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. Artists or community groups who want to paint murals must obtain permission from the property owner. Murals on public or private property without permission of the property owner will be illegal and punishable by law. The conservation and the maintenance of the murals will be the responsibility of the property owner. This ordinance will not permit any type of illegal sign, irrespective of artistic content. The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo will be responsible for administering the Murals Program.
