SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGULATORY ORDINANCES
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Section 312.101 Declaration of Purpose
Section 312.102 Definitions
Section 312.103 Authority
Section 312.104 Enforcement Remedies
Section 312.105 Graffiti Prohibited
Section 312.106 Abatement Authority and Procedures
Section 312.107 Removal of Graffiti by County on Private Property
Section 312.108 Removal of Graffiti by County on Public Property
Section 312.109 Standards for Graffiti Removal
Section 312.110 Cost Recovery
Section 312.111 Parent Responsibility
Section 312.112 Community Service
WHAT IS GRAFFITI?
GRAFFITI PREVENTION
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT GRAFFITI
NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTOUTS
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING A NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTOUTS
RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL PAINTOUT
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
SOURCES FOR PAINT SUPPLIES
WHAT IS GRAFFITI?
Graffiti is any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, picture or design that is sprayed, affixed, drawn, or painted on any surface of public or private property. County ordinance requires that property owners keep all walls, buildings, fences, signs and other structures and surfaces visible from the public right-of-way free of graffiti.
GRAFFITI PREVENTION
Architectural Material, Colors and Textures
Smooth, light colored, blank surfaces attract the graffiti vandal. You can protect your building surface from being a target for graffiti by following these simple suggestions:
Avoid light color paints
Break up blank walls with design or pattern
Avoid soft textured surfaces
There are also special graffiti paints and protective coatings available that protect most surfaces and make the removal of graffiti easier. The protective coatings are highly recommended for certain existing problematic locations. These are costly and work most effectively when applied to smooth painted surfaces.
Landscaping
When properly utilized, landscaping is not only an effective graffiti prevention measure, but can also enhance the surrounding environment. Some landscaping options include:
Use of clinging vines to cover walls
Use of shrubs, bushes, or trees to screen walls
Lighting
Security lighting can be effective in discouraging graffiti. However, it is important to place lighting fixtures high enough on walls so they are not vandalized. The glare of the light should be directed toward the vulnerable surfaces. Lighting used alone or in combination with other preventative techniques can help deter graffiti.
Fencing
A fence can be an effective barrier between the vandal and the wall. When attempting to limit access to an existing building, the fence should be constructed no less than four feet away from the building and should be a minimum of 6 feet high. Check with the County's Building Division for permit information and the Planning Division for applicable zoning restrictions such as setbacks.
Eliminating Hidden Areas
Hidden areas such as blind corners and narrow alleys protect the vandal from public view and should be avoided whenever possible.
Parked automobiles and stacked materials also contribute to the creation of hidden areas. Security solutions must be selective to be effective. Each situation requires specific designs. In all cases, however, the cost of security should not outweigh the benefit it can provide. Graffiti is more likely to occur in areas that are poorly lit, highly accessible and generally hidden from public sight. Incorporating proper security measures can eliminate such target areas.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT GRAFFITI?
The property owner may elect to remove the graffiti him/herself. If this option is selected, graffiti shall be removed within 72 hours from the time the property owner has been made aware of the graffiti.
The County can enter into an agreement with the property owner to remove the graffiti at the expense of the property owner.
Organize a neighborhood paintout.
Report Graffiti to the Code Enforcement office in East or North County. Calls and Complaints to the Code Enforcement Offices are kept confidential. A Code Enforcement Officer must notify private property owners of graffiti on their property and of their responsibility to remove it. Removal time depends on the cooperation of the property owner.
NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTOUTS
Conduct a Neighborhood Paintouts!
Neighborhood paintouts involve neighborhood residents, businesses, schools and others in improving the physical appearance of the area. Working together instills a sense of community pride and responsibility for the future. Graffiti paintouts are also good family projects because they teach children about the impact of graffiti on the neighborhood and time and resources spent on graffiti abatement. Paintouts also give parents a forum to discuss graffiti and vandalism with their children. The County of San Diego encourages involvement by property owners and concerned citizens to help prevent and remove graffiti. By working together, we can solve the graffiti problem.
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING A NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTOUT
Form a committee with representatives from all sectors of the neighborhood.
Discuss plans and choose a date for the paintouts.
Solicit donations from local businesses to obtain paint and other supplies for your paintouts or see "Sources for Paint Supplies"
Select a place for volunteers to register.
Send out a notice (flyer) of the event, requesting volunteers from households, businesses, schools, and others in the area. Ask area churches to include notices in their bulletins.
Alert newspapers, TV, and radio stations of your plans and ask them to publicize and cover the event.
On the day of the paintout, post safety guidelines or have them printed and distributed to volunteers as they check in.
Make arrangements to clean up the area after the paintouts. Have volunteers ready to assist in gathering painting supplies like brushes and paint cans. Put brushes in plastic bands and clean them out in a location where the water will not go into the street and pollute our water resources. Save extra paint for future paintouts.
Provide plastic bags in which to store paint rollers and brushes.
Provide refreshments or a picnic afterwards to thank volunteers.
Have the planning committee discuss ways to keep the neighborhood graffiti-free (i.e., arrange a strategy for future paint outs, identifying frequently defaced places, designating paint routes, posting signs and planting landscape).
RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL PAINTOUT
Always get permission from the person responsible for the property before painting it.
Do not paint any public property, including sidewalks, curbs, US Postal Service mailboxes or traffic signs.
When working near traffic, have volunteers wear safety vests or bright clothing.
Graffiti on painted surfaces should be covered by paint that matches the primary background color as closely as possible. If matching is impossible, paint the entire background. This will eliminate the "patchwork" effect. Save some paint for "touch up" jobs later.
Do not paint natural surfaces (brick, wood), and do not paint over signs or logos unless you have received the consent of the property owner.
Don't waste paints or solvents. Small amounts of unusable latex paint in cans should be left open to dry out. Once the paint is completely dry it can be disposed of in the trash. Large amounts of paint, solvents and any other hazardous materials should be taken to a County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
Water used to clean painting supplies is hazardous to the environment. This water should not be disposed of by pouring it down storm drains, into streets or on the ground. This polluted water can harm marine life as well as humans who use the ocean for recreation and as a source of food. Painting supplies should be washed out in the sink where the water will go through the sewage treatment system and not seep directly into the ocean or ground water. Remaining amounts of paint should not be poured down the drain, but should be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Under Section 312.110 of the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances, the "County may seek cost recovery for any damages not in excess of $25,000 against a minor or the parent or guardian having custody and control of the minor by use of all available legal means."
Also, under Section 312.112, "any juvenile convicted of willful misconduct in violation of Section 312.105(a) shall perform a minimum of twenty-four hours of community service" and "one parent or legal guardian shall be present at the community service site for at least one-half of the community service hours required of the juvenile."
SOURCES FOR PAINT SUPPLIES
The County of San Diego operates a Materials Exchange Program in Ramona every Friday from 9am-1pm. Simply stop by, fill out a form, and pick up any paint supplies they may have available.
Builders and Contractors Thrift Shop, 3653 Costa Bella Street in Lemon Grove offers recycled paint at $4/gallon.
GRAFFITI COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
