Installing a sculpture in a public space is a great way to visually enhance and draw attention to your neighborhood. Sculptures can be installed to boost the appeal of all sorts of areas within the public right of way, including greenways, street parks, murals or tiled staircases.
Sculptures are considered Tier 3 Love Our Neighborhoods projects with the following permitting requirements.
Step One: Check if you're eligible
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Only the following types of organizations can apply:
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A nonprofit organization
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A community benefit district
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A merchants’ association
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An established community-based organization
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Your organization must have been in existence for a minimum of two years at the time of application submission.
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Your project must be located within the public right of way that is under Public Works’ jurisdiction.
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Prior to submitting a Love Our Neighborhoods permit application for a sculpture, your proposed design must be approved by the San Francisco Arts Commission. You will need your San Francisco Arts Commission resolution number and document packet to submit a Love Our Neighborhoods permit application.
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Check if your project can be safely placed within the desired area by reading the “General Placement Guide” on our Helpful Documents page. Every location is different, but this will help you get started.
Step Two: Gather your documents
We will ask for:
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Your name and contact information.
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Your organization’s name and contact information.
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Your organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) or other proof your organization has existed for at least two calendar years. Documents that can be used to prove an organization’s existence include articles of incorporation, notes from past meetings, proof of past projects or events and financial statements.
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If your project has a sponsor, your sponsoring organization’s name and contact information.
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Your proposed project’s location.
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A general description of your proposed project.
You will need to upload:
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Your maintenance plan.
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Your construction plan and budget.
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A detailed site plan that follows these requirements:
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Be submitted in PDF, TIF or JPG format.
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Clearly indicate placement and dimensions of existing streets, rights of way, street trees and street structures.
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Clearly indicate where your proposed project will be within the site and its distance from existing elements.
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Site plans with excavation and construction work should include details of other City assets (such as sewer lines or curb ramps) whenever possible.
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Images of your proposed site. Please show the site’s dimensions on the photo and label any existing structures.
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Detailed plans showing the sculpture’s dimensions and materials you plan on using.
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Stamped engineering drawings showing appropriate structural calculations will be required.
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If you are using a prefabricated or mass manufactured product, please include the specific product’s name as well as the manufacturer’s specification sheet for that product.
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Step Three: Start your application
Your application will take 30 to 45 minutes to fill out.
What to expect after you apply:
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Public Works will contact you for additional or clarifying information.
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For your project to be fully approved, Public Works will schedule a public hearing about its design and installation.
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Prior to the hearing, you will need to notify your neighbors of the upcoming hearing and planned project.
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Once your project is approved, you will need to provide a maintenance endowment.
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You will be required to sign a Maintenance and Liability Agreement for your project based on your Maintenance Plan.