Seattle City Council Votes To Crack Down On Graffiti

On Tuesday, by a 7-1 vote, the Seattle City Council approved an amended ordinance aimed at cracking down on graffiti across the city. The legislation, sponsored by Public Safety Chair Bob Kettle of District 7 and proposed by City Attorney Ann Davison, introduces civil penalties for graffiti vandalism on both public and private property.

Under the new law, individuals caught tagging could face civil fines of up to $1,500 per violation and may also be held liable for cleanup costs. City officials hope the measure will deter repeat offenders and ease the financial burden of graffiti removal on property owners, small businesses, and the city itself.

In 2024 alone, Seattle recorded 28,816 reported incidents of graffiti vandalism, with city cleanup costs estimated at $6 million annually.

Public Safety Chair Bob Kettle framed the legislation as part of a broader strategy to strengthen public safety citywide.

“Combatting graffiti is just one piece of a strategic framework that guides this council in its approach to keeping our community safe,” Kettle said. “Along with police hiring, legal tools, safeguarding public health, and working with local and state partners, mitigating graffiti is one of the pillars on which we can build a safer, stronger public safety foundation.”

Council President Sara Nelson, who co-sponsored the measure, said graffiti enforcement is among the most frequent concerns raised by her constituents.

“This isn’t about art, it’s about tagging, which is one of the most common complaints I hear from constituents but it’s an offense that is very difficult to enforce,” Nelson said. “I thank City Attorney Davison and Councilmember Kettle for advancing this additional tool to not only deter taggers, but to relieve the costly burden of remediation for small businesses, property owners, and the city.”

Data from the City Attorney’s Office (CAO) and the Executive branch shows that removing a single graffiti tag often costs more than $750, with larger or more complex cleanups costing significantly more. While felony charges have been pursued in cases involving damage above that threshold, the CAO reports that prolific taggers often plead guilty to lesser offenses, reducing the deterrent effect of criminal penalties.

Misdemeanor prosecutions have proven similarly limited. According to CAO data, only 11 percent of misdemeanor graffiti cases result in a conviction.

Although Washington state law allows private property owners to seek reimbursement for damages caused by illegal graffiti, few businesses pursue compensation due to the time and effort required.

Council Bill 120995 seeks to change that dynamic by giving the City Attorney’s Office the authority to bring civil actions against prolific taggers. Under the ordinance, taggers could face civil penalties in addition to any criminal charges. They could also be ordered to pay restitution for the cost of graffiti-related property damage.

The ordinance also clarifies that these provisions do not apply when a property owner has given express permission for graffiti on private property.

City Attorney Ann Davison welcomed the council’s approval and said the ordinance sends a strong message to offenders.

“Council’s vote today sends a clear message: Seattle’s tolerance for illegal graffiti has expired. Stop vandalizing our city or we will hold you accountable,” Davison said. “There are many prolific illegal taggers, and once the ordinance becomes effective, I will be filing lawsuits. Since the fines are imposed for each violation, it should serve as a big wake-up call to those who deface Seattle.”

Mayor Bruce Harrell also voiced support for the legislation, describing it as an important addition to the city’s efforts to maintain public spaces.

“This legislation is another tool available to us to help remove tags and beautify the city, ensure those that are causing damage are held accountable, and continue expanding opportunity for artists to leave their mark through art that reflects the people, culture, and experiences of our communities,” Harrell said.

The ordinance also includes a retroactive enforcement provision. An amendment, passed by a 6-2 vote, allows the city to file new civil actions for graffiti-related violations for up to three years after the ordinance takes effect. Supporters say this gives the city a meaningful window to pursue action against known prolific offenders.

The legislation now heads to Mayor Harrell for his signature. Once enacted, it is expected to strengthen the city’s enforcement capabilities and help reduce the economic and visual impact of graffiti vandalism in neighborhoods across Seattle.