Plant City City Zoning Code

The intent of this section is to provide a clear content-neutral process for review, approval and maintenance of murals proposed within commercial or industrial zoned properties of the City, to enhance the quality of the visual environment within the City, and to provide public access to art and the aesthetically designed environment.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

Architectural features means elements that contribute to a building's design and/or historic value, such as moldings, arches, sills, decorative brickwork, or structural details.

Commercial zoning district means one or more of the following zoning districts: C-1A, C-1B, C-1C, C-1 and C-2 Neighborhood/General Commercial Districts and those parcels that are designated as commercial on a PD Planned Development site plan.

Industrial zoning district means one or more of the following zoning districts: M-1, M-1A, and M-AP Industrial Districts and those parcels that are designated as industrial on a PD Planned Development site plan.

Mural means a work of visual art painted or affixed directly onto an exterior wall. Any portion of the mural that is painted or affixed for the sole or primary purpose of signage shall be subject to the City's sign regulations.

Sensitive materials means substances or materials that are essential to the original structure, aesthetic, or historical value of a building, yet are delicate, rare, or prone to deterioration. These materials, which may include traditional construction elements like wood, stone, stucco, plaster, metal, and glass, as well as architectural finishes applied during the building's original construction, requires specialized care during preservation efforts.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

Subject to the provisions of this article, murals are allowed only within commercial and industrial zoning districts of the City.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

(a)

Murals on contributing buildings in the Downtown Plant City Commercial Historic District shall not be painted on brick or sensitive materials that have not been previously covered with materials that diminish the historic importance or character of original historic materials prior to August 1, 2025.

(b)

Murals are limited to the side and rear walls of buildings located within the Downtown Plant City Commercial Historic District; provided however, that a mural may be allowed on the front walls of buildings if the mural meets the criteria of Section 102-2076 and the mural is approved by the City Commission to enhance the visual environment of the City.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

(a)

It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the real property upon which a mural is placed to maintain the appearance of the mural in good condition free from chips, stains, graffiti, defacing, and fading paint.

(b)

A mural that is not maintained in good condition as described in subsection (a) herein is deemed to be a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

(a)

No person shall place a mural on any property unless the express permission of the owner of the property has been obtained and a permit has been issued from the City of Plant City Planning and Zoning Department as provided herein.

(b)

Any person, firm, corporation or association desiring to place a mural on any property within a commercial zoning district or within an industrial zoning district shall first obtain a permit from the City of Plant City Planning and Zoning Department. Applications for the permit issued under this Section shall include the following information:

(1)

Name and address of the creator of the mural.

(2)

Name, address and phone number of the owner or tenant, and a signed written statement by the property owner authorizing the mural to be placed on the property.

(3)

Clear and legible scaled drawings:

(a)

With a description showing location of the mural which is the subject of the permit and all other existing artwork whose construction requires permits, when such artworks are on the same premises; and

(b)

Showing the dimensions, construction, supports, sizes, foundation, any electrical wiring and components, materials of the mural and method of attachment and character of the structure to which attachment is to be made.

(4)

Description and specifics of the ultraviolet light resistant coating to be applied to the proposed mural.

(5)

Description and specifics of the anti-graffiti coating to be applied to the proposed mural for graffiti protection.

(6)

The design, quality, materials and loading shall conform to the criteria requirements of the Florida Building Code, including wind loading. If required by the building department, engineering data shall be supplied on plans submitted certified by a duly licensed structural engineer. All revisions must be supplied with a revision number and dated.

(7)

Upon receipt of a completed application, the planning and zoning department shall conduct a review within 30 days.

(8)

Maintenance schedule identifying how the mural will be maintained including, the name and address of the person or entity responsible for continuing maintenance of the proposed mural.

(c)

The planning and zoning department shall grant an application for mural permits that meet the requirements of this article.

(d)

The City's permit expires two years after issuance if the approved mural has not been installed. The permit will be valid for the specific design and one-time production of the mural presented. Any changes must be re-submitted to the planning and zoning department for review. Murals shall be applied in strict accordance with an approved mural permit application. Any deviation(s) from the approved permit application with respect to the rendering, materials, or style of the mural may result in the revocation of the mural permit.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

(a)

The mural must be an original concept, created entirely for the proposed mural.

(b)

The façades of buildings or structures upon which murals are applied shall be in good condition. Murals shall be applied to a prepared wall surface free of cracks, peeling paint, or stucco, and shall be covered with protective coating to minimize deterioration from ultraviolet light and graffiti.

(d)

Murals shall become the property of the property owner following construction.

(e)

Art murals that contain moving or mechanical components, such as flags, rope pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, balloons or objects that move or are designed to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or mechanical air flow are prohibited.

(g)

The mural shall not extend more than an inch from the wall upon which it is tiled or painted or to which it is affixed.

(h)

All murals shall be weatherproofed to maintain their aesthetic quality.

(i)

Murals may be artificially illuminated as long as the lighting upon or within the mural shall be controlled and directed in such a manner as not to annoy adjacent property owners, nor impair the vision of passing motorists. Lighting of the feature must not be directed at motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians. Decorative or accent lighting must not include any strobe effects, neon lighting, flashing lights, moving parts, or moving illumination. All lighting for murals shall conform to the Plant City Code, and installation shall be done only after obtaining an electrical permit.

(j)

Murals shall not extend beyond or project above the vertical or horizontal line of any wall or structure upon which the mural is applied or installed.

(k)

Murals shall not obstruct windows, doors, or architectural features.

(l)

Murals that contain obscene subject matter as defined in F.S. ch. 847, are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)

(a)

Generally. If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this article is declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, the declaration of such unconstitutionality shall not affect any other part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this article.

(b)

Severability where less speech results. Without diminishing or limiting in any way the declaration of severability set forth above in subsection (a) above, or elsewhere in this article, this Code, or any adopting ordinance, if any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this article is declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, the declaration of such unconstitutionality shall not affect any other part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word of this article, even if such severability would result in a situation where there would be less speech, whether by subjecting previously exempt matters to permitting or otherwise.

(Ord. No. 30-2025, § 1, 9-22-2025)