City Attorney Introduces Civil Penalties to Curb Graffiti Vandalism

In response to a surge in graffiti vandalism across the city, Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison has introduced legislation that would expand the city’s ability to hold taggers accountable through civil penalties and restitution. The proposed Illegal Graffiti Restitution ordinance (Council Bill 120995), sponsored by City Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Bob Kettle, would allow the City Attorney’s Office to seek $1,000 in civil fines per violation while requiring offenders to repay cleanup costs or perform community service.

Seattle recorded 28,816 graffiti incidents in 2024 alone. According to city officials, the annual financial toll is enormous: small businesses and property owners spend tens of millions on graffiti removal, while the city budgets approximately $6 million a year for cleanup. Officials say graffiti often targets storefronts and public infrastructure, diminishing neighborhood aesthetics and signaling neglect.

“In neighborhoods throughout Seattle, the wave of illegal graffiti has cost countless small business and property owners time and money to remediate,” said Davison. “In many areas, graffiti contributes to an appearance of neglect and abandonment. My proposal will supplement criminal law to discourage graffiti.”

The ordinance would not replace criminal enforcement, but add a civil route for legal action. Graffiti vandalism is already a criminal offense under Seattle’s municipal code, and Davison’s office intends to continue prosecuting prolific offenders.

“In my office, criminal prosecution of illegal graffiti will continue, as well as a focus on the most prolific offenders,” said Davison. “Today’s legislation proposes a civil action to pay or clean up the damage these taggers cause. These individuals are responsible for extraordinary financial costs to the City and property owners. My legislation will make sure the taggers pay their fair share until they stop breaking the law.”

In addition to the $1,000 per violation fine, the proposed ordinance would allow the City Attorney to seek restitution for city labor and materials used in graffiti abatement. The bill also includes a provision for offenders to complete community service—specifically graffiti cleanup—as an alternative to paying fines, at the discretion of the City Attorney’s Office.

Mayor Bruce Harrell voiced his support for the proposal, framing it as part of the city’s broader strategy to improve public spaces and reduce vandalism.

“Addressing unwanted graffiti has been a priority for my administration from the beginning,” said Harrell. “Our efforts under the One Seattle graffiti plan have led to the cleaning of tens of thousands of spaces and objects and added dozens of murals in neighborhoods across the city. I appreciate this legislation to provide an additional tool to address illegal tagging.”

Council President Sara Nelson said the legislation responds directly to constituent concerns and the significant financial burden graffiti places on the city.

“Graffiti vandalism costs Seattle taxpayers approximately $6 million annually, with individual tags often exceeding $750 and up to tens of thousands of dollars to remove,” said Nelson. “It’s also the single-most common complaint in my inbox. This legislation finally gives us the tools to hold repeat offenders accountable and make them pay for the damage they cause to our community.”

Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said the legislation supports a safer and cleaner city by addressing quality-of-life issues alongside more visible public safety efforts.

“Curbing graffiti and its negative impacts on neighborhoods is just one of our pillars in the strategic framework to help ensure residents feel safe,” said Kettle. “Adding this legislation to the legal tools we already have – in support

of our police, fire, and CARE first responders and their work in dealing with issues like vacant buildings – brings us closer to our vision of a safer Seattle overall.”

The ordinance was introduced at the June Public Safety Committee meeting and is scheduled for further discussion at the committee’s July 8 hearing. If approved, it would move on to the full City Council for a vote.

City officials say the legislation is designed to be both punitive and restorative—holding vandals accountable while reducing the burden on small business owners, public agencies, and community volunteers who currently shoulder the costs of cleanup. By introducing civil penalties and flexible restitution options, the ordinance would add enforcement capacity and deterrent value without over-relying on the criminal justice system. Officials believe the dual-path strategy—criminal charges for repeat and prolific offenders, and civil penalties for broader enforcement—will create a more effective, balanced response to the growing challenge of illegal graffiti in Seattle.

“This is about accountability and fairness,” said Davison. “Seattle taxpayers, business owners, and workers shouldn’t have to keep paying for the same damage over and over again. With this legislation, we are making it clear: if you deface property, there will be consequences.”