Powered by  
:: Home :: City Hall :: Visiting Glendale :: Living in Glendale :: Doing Business in Glendale
Planning Division Home
Go to division home page
Submitting a Project? Submitting a Project?
arrow Application Forms
arrow Submittal Requirements
arrow Zoning Code
arrow Zoning Map
arrow Counter hours
arrow Design Guidelines
arrow Fees
arrow General Plan
arrow Maps & Census Info
arrow Specific Plans
arrow Strategic Plans
CrescentaValley Agendas, Minutes, Notices & Decisions
arrow Active applications/projects
arrow Agendas/minutes
arrow Public notices
arrow Decisions
Frogs Hot Topics
arrow Downtown Art & Entertain.
arrow Mobility Study
arrow Montrose Shopping Park
arrow North Glendale Plan
arrow South Brand Study
arrow Urban Art
Green Building Guidelines Environmental
arrow Current projects
arrow "Green" webpage
Historic Alex Theater Historic Preservation
arrow Historic resources
arrow Historic districts
arrow List your property
Planning Department recieves 2008 LA American Planning Association Awards Our Staff
arrow Staff bios
arrow Division awards
Contact Us Contact Us
Browse A-Z Directory, contact City officials, and submit online feedback

Frogs   Frogs

Urban Art Program

The Urban Art Program seeks to promote a diverse and stimulating cultural environment to enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors. The Program encourages the creative interaction of artists, developers, designers, city officials and community members during the design of development projects, in order to develop public art that is meaningful to the site and to the community. The Program anticipates a diverse range of art experiences throughout the city’s commercial districts, enlivening the public space available during the everyday routines of walking to work, eating at a sidewalk café, or shopping.

The Urban Art Program was initiated in 2006 with the adoption of the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP). On December 14, 2010, Glendale City Council adopted ordinances to expand the program city-wide (Ordinances #5720, 5721). The ordinances are effective January 14, 2011.

What projects are subject to the Urban Art Program? The Program applies to new buildings and structures, or to the alteration or repair of buildings or structures valued at $500,000 or more as determined by the Building Official. Projects located in the commercial and mixed-use zones (specifically the DSP, IMU, IMU-R, SFMU, C1, C2, C3, CR, and CPD zoning districts) are subject to the Program. The requirement does not apply to Industrial or Residential zones. Development applications which have not received a building permit prior to January 14, 2010 shall be subject to the rules and regulations of this ordinance.

What is the requirement? The Program provides the option to install the art on-site, or to make an in-lieu payment:

  • On-site art equals 2 percent (2%) of the project value, or
  • In-lieu payment equals 1 percent (1%) of the project value.
When is the on-site art requirement met? Urban Art Plans for the project site and buildings or structures are subject approval by the applicable Design Review authority, upon recommendation from the Arts and Culture Commission or other body designated by City Council. Urban Art Plans must be approved before building permits can be issued, and shall provide for the installation of public art with a value of at least two percent of the project valuation as determined by the Building Official. The on-site art shall be installed in compliance with the Urban Art Plan before issuance of final certificate of occupancy.

When is the in-lieu fee paid? Before the issuance of final building permits. If the valuation of the project changes during construction, the fee shall be adjusted accordingly. The balance of the fee, if any, shall be paid prior to final building inspection.

Are there exemptions to this requirement? Yes, Urban Art requirements do not apply to the following:

  • Projects financed with public funds,
  • Small and/or affordable residential buildings and structures,
  • Residential buildings or structures of 1 or 2 units, or residential buildings or structures serving those units with more than 25 percent of the units available to low- or moderate- income households
  • Projects financed with development in-lieu fees,
  • Capital Improvement projects,
  • Projects involving Designated Historic Resources,
  • Project involving nonprofit service providers (defined as 501(c)(3) under the IRS code), and
  • Vehicle dealerships.


Useful Links

arrow Chapter 30.37 – Urban Art
arrow Glendale Urban Art Program Guidelines
arrow Arts & Cultural Commission



Agendas and Reports related to the Urban Art Program

December 14, 2010 - Glendale City Council
arrow Agenda
arrow Staff Report
arrow Minutes

December 7, 2010 - Joint Meeting of the Glendale City Council and Glendale Redevelopment Agency
arrow Agenda
arrow Staff Report
arrow Minutes

November 17, 2010 – Planning Commission Study Session
arrow Agenda
arrow Staff Report
arrow Presentation
arrow Minutes

August 24, 2010 - Joint Meeting of the Glendale City Council and Glendale Redevelopment Agency
arrow Agenda
arrow Staff Report
arrow Minutes

May 11, 2010 - Joint Meeting of the Glendale City Council and Glendale Redevelopment Agency
arrow Agenda
arrow Staff Report
arrow Minutes



For more information contact Alan Loomis, Principal Urban Designer at aloomis@ci.glendale.ca.us or 818-937-8166 or Annette Vartanian, Administrative Analyst at avartanian@ci.glendale.ca.us or 818-548-2005.

©2012 City of Glendale, CA. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Statistics