(A) Graffiti prohibited. All sidewalks, walls, buildings, fences, signs, and other structures or surfaces shall be kept free from graffiti when the graffiti is visible from the street or other public or private property.
(B) Notice of violation. If it is determined by the city that graffiti exists on property in violation of this chapter, the city shall, in writing, notify the responsible party with a notice of violation. The notice may be served by certified mail, personal service, posting the subject property or publishing the notice in the official city newspaper.
(C) Contents of notice of violation. The notice of violation shall identify the property in violation, shall generally describe the location of the graffiti, and shall direct that the graffiti be abated within 48 hours of receipt of notice. The notice shall state that in the event the responsible party fails to abate the graffiti and may bill the responsible party for the costs. The notice shall state that the responsible party may appeal the notice by filing a written notice of appeal within the same time period given to abate the graffiti. The effective date of the notice of violation shall be the date received if delivered in person or sent by certified mail, or the date of first publication, if the alternate method of service is used.
(D) City’s authority to abate. If the responsible party fails to abate the graffiti as required by the notice of violation, the city may proceed to abate the graffiti, and may bill the responsible party for the costs thereof.
(1) The city or its authorized private contractor is expressly authorized to enter private property and abate graffiti thereon in accordance with this section.
(2) The city’s Police Department shall assist in the enforcement of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 17-1-6) (Ord. O08-07-14, passed 7-10-2008)