Walla Walla city attorney says toy store purple octopus mural violates sign code

Is Walla Walla purple octopus mural art or a sign?

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The city of Walla Walla doesn’t like the mural of a giant purple octopus that was painted on the front of a downtown toy store. City Attorney Tim Donaldson said it violates the city’s sign code. He’s recommending that the city council take enforcement action. The owner of the Inland Octopus toy store, Bob Catsiff, said the mural is art, not a sign.

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reported it shows an octopus peeking over the walls of a castle with a rainbow overhead. It was painted over the Labor Day weekend.

Catsiff said everyone he talks to likes the mural. City Manager Nabile Shawa said the city has received a number of complaints.

Information from: Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, www.union-bulletin.com