San Francisco’s 3-1-1 community service call center allows residents to report graffiti and tagging on public property for removal by the Department of Public Works (DPW), which allocates up to $20 million annually to clean up graffiti.  But the City is tough on property owners who let graffiti linger on their own private property. 

Graffiti negatively impacts neighborhoods by indicating crime and possible gang activity, and can lower home values.This March a San Francisco Examiner article cited that graffiti is on the rise, and that buildings that allow graffiti to linger are often seen as easy targets for repeat offenses.

San Francisco’s Graffiti Ordinance requires property owners to abate graffiti from their buildings within 30 days of receiving a citation. Citations are received when individuals report graffiti or when DPW has inspected a building and deemed abatement is required. If the owner does not clean up the graffiti within the 30 days of receiving a citation, s/he will receive a $250-$500 fine. According to the April 2010 Graffiti Advisory Board Minutes, 167 properties received notices in April and 104 abated the graffiti. Those who do not abate or pay may see the fines show up on their property taxes.

In light of the strict regulations for property owners, San Francisco provides a lot of helpful information on how to report, cleanup, and deter graffiti, including do-it-yourself instructions and a link to contractors who will do it for you. For more information about graffiti cleanup, visit SFDPW.org.

Image provided by .Colin.