Title
An Ordinance to Create Section 18.08 of the West Allis Revised Municipal Code Relating to Graffiti Abatement.
Body
The Common Council of the City of West Allis do ordain as follows:
PART I. Section 18.08 of the Revised Municipal Code of the City of West Allis is hereby created to read:
18.08 GRAFFITI ABATEMENT.
(1) Definition.
In this section, “graffiti” means any inscription, word, figure or design marked, scratched, etched, drawn or painted with spray paint, liquid paint, ink, chalk, dye or other similar substances on buildings, construction sites, fences, structures, equipment and similar places without the express permission of the owner or operator of the property.
(2) Public Nuisance.
The Common Council hereby finds that graffiti is detrimental to property values; degrades the community; causes an increase in crime; is inconsistent with the City's property maintenance goals and aesthetic standards; and, unless it is quickly removed from public and private property, results in other properties becoming the target of graffiti. Graffiti is hereby declared a public nuisance as it affects the public health, safety and general welfare of the community.
(3) Graffiti Prohibited.
No owner or operator of any real property within the city may maintain or allow any graffiti to remain upon any building, construction site, fence, structure, or equipment located on such property when the graffiti is visible from the street or other public or private property. No owner or operator of a dumpster or other receptacle for temporary storage of discarded materials, garbage, waste, or other miscellaneous items may maintain or allow any graffiti to remain upon the dumpster or other receptacle.
(4) Notification By Police Department.
(a) Whenever a police officer determines that graffiti on any building, construction site, fence, structure, dumpster or other receptacle, or equipment within the city is visible from the street or other p...
Click here for full text