The Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to declare Saturday, October 12, 2013, “Mural Day” in the City of Los Angeles in recognition of  the new mural ordinance going into effect after an eleven year moratorium on murals on private property.

Councilmember José Huizar was the leading force on the City Council in getting the new mural ordinance adopted and is the author of the “Mural Day” resolution. Councilmember Huizar joined his colleagues Councilmembers Bonin and Cedillo and others Friday to recognize some of the leading muralists and arts advocates whose support was instrumental in getting the ordinance adopted.

“We would not have a mural ordinance without the arts community,” said Councilmember Huizar. “Their support, expertise and passion were the driving force behind our efforts to rid the city of this moratorium. This Mural Day resolution celebrates the artists resolve and talent and marks a new beginning in our quest to regain LA's proper place as the “Mural Capital of the World.”

Under the City’s old Sign Mural ordinance, mural signs on private property were banned while the City worked on a new sign ordinance, which has been wrapped in litigation. The new mural ordinance is separate from the sign law by identifying murals as something other than signs, with a focus on murals as “original works of art.”

LA's unique support for murals in the past contributed to its identity as the "mural capital of the world."  As part of the work to be completed in conjunction with the new ordinance, a mural cataloguing system will be developed to track and maintain LA's existing murals.