(a) Neighborhood Amenities. The neighborhood amenities described in this Section 723.1, which are intended to facilitate residents’ and civic organizations’ promotion of neighborhood love, pride, and enjoyment, shall be permitted according to Section 723.2 or Section 786 based on the requirements and approvals in Section 723.1(c).
(b) Definitions.
“Decorative Street Light” means a pedestrian-scale street light installed upon a sidewalk.
“Department” means the Department of Public Works.
“Front Yard Bench” means a seat that can accommodate more than one person that complies with the requirements set forth in the Department’s regulations.
“Front Yard Planter” means an enclosed vessel used and maintained regularly for planting vegetation that complies with the dimensional and sidewalk clearance and other requirements of Public Works Orders regarding planters including but not limited to Department of Public Works Order 179,231 titled “ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SIDEWALK LANDSCAPE CONTAINERS ON THE SIDEWALK THAT ARE LESS THAN 36 INCHES IN HEIGHT,” as the Department may modify from time to time.
“Mural” means a picture or design painted on or affixed to a sidewalk or a picture, design, or two-dimensional artwork painted on or affixed to an existing City-owned bridge, retaining wall, or stairway (only allowed on the riser portion) within the jurisdiction of the Department. No Mural may contain or constitute advertising of any kind.
“Neighborhood String Lighting” means wired decorative lighting, which the Department has determined to be safe for outdoor use and capable of being suspended without a supporting span wire, that is suspended over public right-of-way within the Department’s jurisdiction, on which motor vehicles are not permitted, and adjacent to one or more building address(es) for a duration not to exceed the maximum duration set forth in the Department’s regulations and at a height allowable under the Department’s regulations. Neighborhood String Lighting does not include any lighting that is placed on or which extends over a roadway on which motor vehicles are permitted.
“Sidewalk Library” means an enclosed bookshelf that complies with the dimensional requirements set forth in the Department’s regulations, is mounted on a post placed in the sidewalk, and is used for the noncommercial purpose of displaying and sharing books with the public.
“Tier 1 Love Our Neighborhoods Project” or “Tier 1 Project” means any of the following amenities installed, attached, constructed, placed, or otherwise caused to be located on a sidewalk within the jurisdiction of the Department: a Front Yard Bench, a Sidewalk Library, or a Front Yard Planter.
“Tier 2 Love Our Neighborhoods Project” or “Tier 2 Project” means a Mural, a commemorative plaque that is being installed according to the requirements of Public Works Code Section 789 et seq., minor landscape infrastructure, a project consisting solely of maintenance of dedicated public right-of-way amenities within the Department’s jurisdiction, or Neighborhood String Lighting. The preceding project categories shall have the meanings defined in the Public Works Code and/or the Department’s orders and regulations. To qualify as a Tier 2 Project, the permit applicant must be a nonprofit organization, a community benefits district, a merchants association, or an established community-based organization.
“Tier 3 Love Our Neighborhoods Project” or “Tier 3 Project” means any of the following amenities installed, attached, constructed, placed, or otherwise caused to be located on or over a sidewalk or other public right-of-way within the jurisdiction of the Department in accordance with Public Works Code Sections 786 through 786.9: a sculpture, a newly constructed or structurally modified stairway, a fog catcher, major landscape infrastructure, a newly constructed retaining wall or structure, stringed lighting suspended across a roadway in a commercial corridor, Decorative Street Lights, or a project comprised of a combination of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 Projects. The preceding project categories shall have the meanings defined in the Public Works Code and/or the Department’s orders and regulations. To qualify as a Tier 3 Project, the permit applicant must be a nonprofit organization, a community benefit district, a merchants association, or an established community-based organization.
(c) Requirements and Approvals.
(1) Tier 1 Love Our Neighborhoods Projects. Tier 1 Projects may be authorized according to the registration and compliance requirements in Section 723.2(b)(2) and the applicable Department orders and regulations. The Director or the Director’s designee, in their discretion, shall determine whether a project constitutes a Tier 1 Project.
(2) Tier 2 Love Our Neighborhoods Projects. Tier 2 Projects may be permitted according to the permit application and compliance requirements in Section 723.2(b)(3) and the applicable Department orders and regulations. The Director or the Director’s designee, in their discretion, shall determine whether a project constitutes a Tier 2 Project.
(3) Tier 3 Love Our Neighborhoods Projects. Tier 3 Projects may be permitted according to the permit application and compliance requirements in Section 786 and the applicable Department orders and regulations. The Director or the Director’s designee, in their discretion, shall determine whether a project constitutes a Tier 3 Project.
(Amended by Ord. 391-81, App. 7/3/81; Ord. 401-87, App. 9/25/87; Ord. 252-23, File No. 230768, App. 12/19/2023, Eff. 1/19/2024)