Designing and painting a sidewalk mural is the perfect way to gather your neighbors in an act of communal expression and bonding. Murals can serve many purposes – from commemorating a piece of local history to evoking a scene in nature – but each one goes a long way toward creating a more vibrant and beautiful neighborhood.
Sidewalk murals are considered Tier 2 Love Our Neighborhoods projects and require the following steps for permitting:
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 sidewalk mural, 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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Your proposed mural design must be about beautification and cannot be wayfinding or advertising.
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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 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.
You will need to upload:
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Your maintenance plan. You will be responsible for repairing the mural if there is necessary sidewalk construction that damages the mural.
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Your San Francisco Arts Commission document packet and resolution number.
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Your construction plan and budget.
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Proof of support for the project from the owner(s) of fronting properties.
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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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Document existing conditions and clearly label adjacent streets, existing sidewalk widths, tree wells (and dimensions), signposts, and all existing assets on or in the sidewalk (such as sewer vent caps, curb ramps and utility vaults) within the proposed project site and an additional ten feet in either direction of sidewalk travel.
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Photos of your proposed site. Please show the site’s dimensions on the photo and label existing structures.
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A drawing should be provided with the proposed mural overlaid with the above existing conditions.
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Product information and manufacturer specifications for materials you want to use for the mural, including the material's slip coefficient and anti-graffiti coating material. Please note that commercial grade paint and sealer products are required for sidewalk mural projects.
Step Three: Start your application
Your application will take 30 to 45 minutes to fill out.
What to expect after you’ve submitted your application:
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Public Works will contact you for additional or clarifying information.
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Public Works will inspect the structural integrity and ADA accessibility condition of the sidewalk that you wish to create the mural on and notify you if repair work is necessary. Any repairs need to be completed before the project can proceed.
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You will need to provide mailed notice of your Love Our Neighborhoods sidewalk mural application to all property owners of record within 250 feet of the proposed project.
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You will be required to sign a Maintenance and Liability Agreement for your project based on your Maintenance Plan.