(a) Murals are regarded as works of art and must demonstrate an artistic quality or theme as opposed to direct or indirect illustrative advertising. Advertising copy and trademarks are prohibited.
(b) Permits, Fees and Inspections.
(1) No mural shall hereafter be erected, reerected, constructed, altered, or maintained, except as provided by this chapter and a permit for same has been issued by the Building Commissioner. Application for mural permits shall be made upon forms provided by the Building Commissioner and shall include the following:
A. The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
B. The name of a person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the mural;
C. Three sets of drawings and specifications for mural;
D. A site plan and the location of the building or structure upon which the mural is to be erected;
E. The building elevations;
F. Such other information as the Building Commissioner shall require to show full compliance with this and all other applicable City laws and ordinances.
(2) A mural permit fee of one hundred twenty dollars ($120.00) shall be paid.
(3) The Building Department shall forward a copy of the application and accompanying to the Norwood Arts Board for their information. The Norwood Arts Board shall have no authority to approve or deny a mural permit application.
(4) The Building Department shall act on all applications for mural permits on which they are authorized to act pursuant to this Chapter within thirty (30) days of receipt of the completed application and payment of the permit fee. The Building Department shall issue either a permit or denial letter within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the completed application and payment of the permit fee. Denial letters may be appealed to the Appeals Board pursuant to Section 1321.14 of the Codified Ordinances of Norwood, Ohio.
(5) A mural shall not be enlarged or relocated except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter for new murals, nor until a proper permit has been secured.
(6) Painting, repairing, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a mural shall not be considered as creating a mural to require the issuance of another mural permit.
(c) Maintenance. All murals shall be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner or lessee of every building with a mural to maintain the immediate premises occupied by the mural in a clean, sanitary, and healthful condition. The Building Commissioner may order the removal of any mural that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(d) Mural Area and Standards.
(1) Murals shall include high-quality materials, which may include paint or other media appropriate for exterior use, such as tile or mosaic. Materials shall be long-lasting and graffiti-resistant to the greatest extent possible.
(2) Murals shall not adversely affect the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
(3) No more than one mural may be placed on any wall of a building.
(4) The total area of the mural must be no less than (a) for a wall less than 800 square feet, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total area of the wall on which it is located, (b) for a wall 800 square feet or larger, the total area of the mural shall be at least 400 square feet. The total area of the mural shall include the entire portion within any background, frame, or overall composition.
(5) Murals shall not cover or obscure distinctive architectural or historic features of the building or structure.
(e) Murals owned and sponsored by the State, County, City or public utility entities shall be exempt from the permit and other requirements of this Section.
(f) Permitted Mural Locations. Murals shall be permitted:
(1) Within a Major Planned Unit Development with a contiguous area in excess of ten (10) acres, when incorporated into a Final Plan Approval or as approved by the Planning Commission as a minor amendment, and
(2) On buildings in districts zoned for Commercial Uses (O; GBD; CBD; NBD; M-1; and M-2).
(Ord. 66-2021. Passed 12-14-21.)