This page provides examples of Washington local government ordinances and programs that control and/or regulate graffiti, including a list of applicable statutes.

Overview

Graffiti on public and private property continues to be a problem in many jurisdictions. The following list of programs and ordinance examples from Washington State reflects the variety of approaches that jurisdictions have taken to control and/or regulate graffiti. Sample ordinance provisions include those that prohibit the sale and possession of aerosol paint and markers to minors, and those that require removal of graffiti within a specified time period. The latter may include removal by the perpetrator if known, or the property owner. Some of the provisions provide detailed notice and hearing procedures.

Statutes

• RCW 9A.48.090 – Malicious mischief in the third degree - Makes acts of graffiti malicious mischief in the third degree.
• RCW 9A.48.105 – Criminal street gang tagging and graffiti
• RCW 4.24.190 – Action against parent for willful injury to person or property by minor - Monetary limitation - Common law liability preserved. - Imposes financial responsibility on the parents of minors involved in acts of graffiti in some circumstances.

Examples of Local Programs and Ordinances

• Battle Ground Graffiti Abatement Program – Informational flyer
  • Municipal Code Sec. 8.12.010(N)
• Burien Graffiti Removal – Includes information on Graffiti Removal Program for Commercial Properties
  • Municipal Code Ch. 8.55 – Graffiti Removal - Prohibits graffiti; provides 5 days to remove graffiti after notice
• Everett Graffiti Program
• Kent Graffiti Removal
  • Municipal Code Sec. 9.02.660 – Possession of Graffiti Tools
  • Municipal Code Ch. 8.01 – See Graffiti under public nuisances
• Kirkland Graffiti
• Marysville Municipal Code Ch. 6.25 – Graffiti Nuisance - Includes prohibition on sale or gift of aerosol paint and indelible markers; presence of graffiti is civil infraction ($25/day); requires removal 48 hours after notice; provides notice and abatement procedures; and provides for rewards
• Monroe Municipal Code Ch. 9.22 – Graffiti - Prohibits possession of graffiti implements near schools by minors; prohibits possession of graffiti implements in public places; prohibits furnishing any aerosol paint container, broad-tipped marker, or paint stick to a minor; regulates display and storage of graffiti implements and requires signage; requires graffiti to be removed within 20 days after notice
• Pasco Graffiti Abatement Program
• Renton Graffiti Abatement Program 
  • Municipal Code Title 6, Ch. 29 – Graffiti Control 
• Seattle Graffiti Prevention & Removal
  • Municipal Code Ch. 10.07 – Graffiti Nuisance Code - Informational notice to remove graffiti; if not removed provides 10 days after formal notice to remove graffiti
  • City of Seattle Anti-Graffiti Efforts: Best Practices and Recommendations (2010) – City Auditor report
• Sequim Graffiti
  • Municipal Code Ch. 8.07 – Graffiti Control - Requires removal of graffiti within 10 days after notice, provides abatement procedure including language for notice to remove graffiti, authorizes city to pay reward
• Snohomish Municipal Code Ch. 9.96 – Graffiti Nuisance - Requires removal of graffiti within 48 hours, details abatement procedures, provides for reward
• Tacoma Graffiti Clean Up – Includes information on the city's Graffiti Rapid Removal Program, which provides no-cost graffiti removal services along key corridors
• Toppenish Municipal Code Ch. 9.84 – Sale of Aerosol Containers of Paint to Minors - Includes provisions prohibiting possession of aerosol containers of paint by minors in public place
• Yakima Graffiti Abatement Program
  • Yak Back – Convenient way to help the city find graffiti by filling out a Yak Back Report
  • Municipal Code Ch. 6.50 – Graffiti - Provides any establishment selling aerosol paint, broad tipped markers, paint sticks or graffiti sticks to have a sign stating that graffiti is against the law; requires perpetrator to remove graffiti within 72 hours after notice; provides for restitution and community service; details notice procedures