This Cal Cities bill would make it easier for cities to commission murals

Have state licensing requirements forced your city to delay a mural? Let us know!

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor, and Caroline Grinder, legislative affairs lobbyist

A bill co-sponsored by Cal Cities and California Arts Advocates would make it easier for cities to commission murals. SB 456 (Ashby) would provide a narrow exemption to state licensing requirements that have delayed murals statewide.  

"Public art and murals enhance community, provide economic investment, attract tourists, support jobs, generate revenue, and improve public safety and wellbeing," said Sen. Angelique Ashby. "I am proud to author SB 456, which will provide muralists with the administrative flexibility to continue their artistic expression while beautifying our state."

In 2023, the Contractors State License Board began notifying cities that muralists fall within the definition of a "contractor" and therefore must carry a license for projects exceeding $500. To do this, muralists must accumulate years of specialized experience, pass an examination, and pay annual fees. City staff that knowingly hire an unlicensed muralist can face fines.

However, muralists provide a fundamentally different service than a painting contractor: Their work is an artistic expression that does not impact a building’s structural integrity.

Cities across California have stopped or stalled mural projects in response to the notifications. In Milpitas, officials halted a set of murals celebrating the region’s flora and fauna. The project, already delayed by the pandemic, would have cost $30,000. The city of Stockton also paused a $50,000 project.

“These regulations have made it difficult to procure artists, as their body of work often does not align with the experience needed to obtain a C33 license,” one Stockton official told Cal Cities.“This limitation has restricted opportunities for skilled muralists who lack traditional painting credentials despite their expertise, delaying the project's progress and highlighting the need for more flexible licensing pathways in public art initiatives.”

"Murals and public art installations improve public health, drive economic development, and expand community access to arts and culture," said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. "Cal Cities is proud to co-sponsor SB 456, much-needed legislation that will make it easier for cities to commission local artists and uplift their communities."

SB 456 is one of over a dozen bills sponsored by Cal Cities this year. Cal Cities is also sponsoring measures that would reduce fire risk, resolve encampments faster, make recovery homes safer, and address infrastructure challenges, as well as take on unlicensed short-term rental operators, copper wire theft, and forever chemicals.

How can my city support this measure?

The Legislature’s policy committees will be in full swing starting in mid-March. These meetings are great opportunities for city officials to voice their support. If your city would like to support SB 456, reach out to your regional public affairs manager or submit a letter.

Cal Cities is also looking for examples of communities that have been impacted by the state’s licensure requirements. If you have examples to share, please email cgrinder@calcities.org.