Oxford sets new rules for outdoor murals
Nov. 29—OXFORD — City leaders in Oxford have signed off on a new ordinance that allows murals on the sides of buildings in many of the areas in the community and on its borders that are zoned for homes or business.
The decision came on Nov. 15 and followed several months of discussions at the committee level, Oxford officials said.
"We had already adopted a mural policy but this adds a little more depth to it, just strengthens it a little bit," Mayor Jackie Sergent said.
The new ordinance specifies that the city's government views murals as being different from signs, and views them as serving a different purpose. They're "avenues for original artistic expression," and can work to "increase community identity and foster a sense of place," it says.
It recognizes two types of murals, ones that are "original art" and others that are "vintage" — by definition, one that's more than 40 years old and includes "copyrighted advertising" for a business that no longer uses the logo or text in its marketing.
The law requires a permit for the placement of new original murals, and one for the rehabilitation or removal of existing vintage murals.
Applications go to the city's Technical Review Committee — a panel that includes the city manager and several other city department heads, plus the chairperson of the Oxford Planning Board — for approval.
The ordinance's declared intent is that it's "content neutral," but it says designs for original murals "may not include obscene, vulgar, profane or racist content," or advertising.
It prohibits original murals for which "compensation is given or received" for display or placement rights.
And it requires an approved mural to remain in place for at least five years, and the owners of a building that has one is responsible for maintaining it in good condition.
If a mural's been subsidized by the city or the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corp., the removal of a mural is prohibited in the first five years unless the building it's on is sold or "substantially remodeled" in a way that "precludes [its] continuance."
The same restriction applies to alterations, and both possibilities are subject to permit requirements.
As for vintage murals, the law encourages building owners to leave them alone unless they're in "extremely poor condition," as "over-restoration can cause confusion over the age of the building" and the mural itself.
Contact Ray Gronberg at rgronberg@hendersondispatch.com or by phone at 252-436-2850.
