Population: 47,541
Type of Requirement: Ordinance

Physical Address:
Parks and Recreation Department
1341 Nipomo Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Main Contact:
Lindsey Stephenson, Recreation Manager
Email Lindsey | 805.781.7070

The Code establishes that all new nonresidential development with a total construction cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or more; and all expansions, remodeling, or tenant improvement of existing eligible buildings when such work has a total construction cost of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or more are subject to a mandatory public art requirement. Exceptions to this requirement can be found in the code referenced above.

Projects subject to the ordinance shall acquire and install approved art in a public place, in the vicinity of the development project site, or in a city-owned public place. The minimum cost of the public art, including installation, shall be one half a percent (0.5%) of that portion of the total construction costs in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), but no more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for each building permit. Prior to installation of approved public art, the developer shall execute and record a covenant requiring maintenance of the artwork by future owners. Artworks placed in city-owned public spaces shall be considered donations to the city.

Alternatively, developers may satisfy the requirement by contributing an amount equal to the required allocation to a public art in-lieu account.

Seven Sisters (Celestial Subduction) (2021). By Maria Molteni. City of San Luis Obispo, CA, Collection. Courtesy: Heraldo Creative Studio