Graffiti on public or private property is a blighting factor which not only depreciates the value of the property which has been the target of such vandalism but also depreciates the value of the adjacent and surrounding properties, and in so doing has a negative impact on the entire city. Section 53069.3 of the Government Code authorizes the city, under certain circumstances, to provide for the removal of graffiti and other inscribed materials from private as well as public property. The council finds and determines that graffiti is obnoxious and a public nuisance and unless it and other inscribed materials are removed from public and private property, they tend to remain. Other properties then become the target of graffiti with the result that entire neighborhoods are affected and the entire community depreciates in value and becomes a less desirable place in which to be.
(Ord. 18 § 1 (part), 1991: Ord. 3 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 11.80.010)