Miami passes new mural legislation

Miami commissioners on Wednesday passed new legislation regulating murals, the large advertisements posted on the facade of buildings.

Commissioners put into law restrictions governing the space between murals and penalties for properties found in violation. By doing so, they codified a January agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation that allowed the city to regulate and enforce signage previously handled by the state.

Murals, which can fetch enormous sums for permit holders and property owners, must be at least 300 feet apart, or 150 feet in Overtown and Park West. Properties with signs found to be in violation of the city’s laws will be banned from hoisting murals for five years. Existing murals now in violation of the distance requirements will have 10 years to come into compliance.

Currently the city has granted 35 mural permits, and expects to hand out up to 10 more soon through a lottery.

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 8:20 PM with the headline "Miami passes new mural legislation."