Los Angeles Lifts Ban On Public Murals

"The new rules, which must come back for an expected final approval next week, will permit new murals in business and industrial zones as long as artists register projects with the city and pay a $60 application fee," reports Catherine Saillant. "Commercial messages are prohibited and works must remain for at least two years as part of the city effort to control advertising."

"The decision culminates years of debate over how Los Angeles should regulate murals, which have chronicled generations of the city's history, from the mid-20th century struggles of Latinos on the Eastside to freeway displays celebrating the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics," she notes.

"'Murals are part and parcel of the social and cultural and historic fabric of the city,'' said Councilman Gil Cedillo, who represents mural-rich areas of the Eastside. 'We should recognize that.'"