In Buildings When a mural is installed in or on a building, a complicated set of exceptions apply which uneasily balance the respective rights of building owners and muralists. Particularly, if the mural is installed in such a way that removing it would destroy or damage the mural. Though it is counterintuitive, most murals are removable. The statute does not require that no damage at all occur in the course of removal. Rather, some damage is permissible so long as the amount of damage caused by removal is not so great as to damage the artist's honor and reputation.
Technology exists that allows a mural to be removed from a wall without too much damage.
A noted art conservator, Nathan Zakheim, has done so many times, and has provided expert testimony that murals generally are removable. He has in fact removed a 12' x 25' mural from an outdoor wall, in a single piece, without substantial damage to the wall or the mural. Restoration of the mural onto new display panels was successful, and only six hours was required to do touch up painting. Other conservators with substantially less experience in mural removal have differed with Mr. Zakheim. It is also conceivable that a particular mural may not be removable without damage because of the condition or architectural detail of the wall.