Street art guide

About this guidance

It’s art on our streets — that’s why we call it street art.

We recognise there are many different terms used, including tags, graffiti and murals. However, for consistency in our policy and approach, the council defines street art based on legality — whether it has permission or not.

Street art can therefore be legal (with permission) or illegal (without permission).

As a council, we can remove illegal street art from council buildings and street furniture, but legal street art is a valued part of the city’s identity. It can:

• brighten spaces
• celebrate local culture
• help deter graffiti

This guidance brings together all the information you need in one place so you can organise a mural confidently, responsibly and with the right approvals.

By following this guidance, you can help contribute to a more vibrant, creative and well‑managed city where street art enhances public spaces and reflects the identity of Brighton & Hove.

We encourage you to take pride in your project, work collaboratively with your community, and help make the city a more colourful and welcoming place for everyone.

How to use this guidance

This is a self‑service resource to help you plan and coordinate your mural project from start to finish.

It brings together advice from different council services, alongside practical tools to support you, including:

• A simple step‑by‑step process
• A checklist to guide your planning
• A risk assessment template with suggested considerations

By using this guidance, you should be able to assess most requirements yourself and prepare your project before approaching the council where needed.

Your responsibilities

This guidance is intended to support you, but it is your responsibility to:

• check whether permissions or licences are required
• follow relevant laws, policies and safety requirements
• ensure your project is appropriate for its location

The council is not responsible for how individual projects are delivered or whether guidance is followed. Failure to obtain the correct permissions may result in enforcement action or removal of the artwork.