Murals on Private Property

As an extension to the Arts & Culture Master Plan, approved by City Council in March of 2021, city staff commissioned consultant, Arts Orange County, to create an Art in Public Places document with program and policy recommendations for the City of Costa Mesa. The completed document was reviewed by the Arts Commission in April of 2023 and is the first step in acknowledging the importance of public art in our communities. 

The City of Costa Mesa has developed a new and free permitting process for murals on private property, through our new permitting software, TESSA. The intent of this friendly and optional mural permit is to ensure that murals are developed with the full awareness of the community, with technical and legal considerations in relation to materials, maintenance, and artist's rights, adhered to and understood.

If you are thinking about commissioning an artist to paint a mural on your property or business, you may access the online application here. In the search bar, type in the word "mural" and the application will be shown on the top of the page. Click the Apply button to start the process. Refer to the E-Submittal Mural Permit Checklist below to get started:

E-Submittal Mural Permit Checklist and Recommendations

Artist's Rights Laws

Visual Artists Rights Act

California Art Preservation Act

Helpful Definitions 

Mural: A one-of-a-kind original artwork created by a Mural Artist, or through a community engagement process led by a Mural Artist that is fabricated directly upon an exterior wall of a building, that is hand-painted or hand-tiled and does not contain commercial messaging. For definition purposes, a commercial message is any text, image, logo, or other visual communication that advertises or references a business conducted, services rendered, commercial enterprise, or goods produced or sold on or off the premises.

Mural Artist: A person who has established a reputation of artistic excellence in the visual arts, as judged by peers and/or experts in the field, through a record of public exhibitions, performances, commissions, sale of works, recognition and/or educational attainment. The qualified artist’s creative output shall primarily consist of the production of unique fine art.

Costa Mesa Murals

Shepard Fairey, Welcome Home

Zaoone, Home Sweet Home