SEATTLE (June 24, 2025) – Today, Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison announced the introduction of legislation to create an additional tool in the fight against illegal graffiti in Seattle.
The proposed Illegal Graffiti Restitution ordinance (Council Bill 120995), sponsored by Seattle City Council (SCC) President Sara Nelson and Councilmember Bob Kettle, would allow the City Attorney to seek a civil $1,000 fine per illegal graffiti violation and add other tools to deter property crimes.
“In neighborhoods throughout Seattle, the wave of illegal graffiti has cost countless small business and property owners time and money to remediate,” said City Attorney Davison. “In many areas, graffiti contributes to an appearance of neglect and abandonment. My proposal will supplement criminal law to discourage graffiti.”
In 2024, there were a reported 28,816 instances of graffiti vandalism in Seattle. Graffiti costs small businesses and property owners tens of millions of dollars per year to clean up, and the City of Seattle spends approximately $6 million annually on graffiti cleanup.
The proposed legislation provides another option, using civil litigation, to take action against illegal taggers. The city’s existing graffiti ordinance, which makes illegal graffiti tagging a criminal violation, will continue to be used by the City Attorney.
“In my office, criminal prosecution of illegal graffiti will continue, as well as a focus on the most prolific offenders,” said City Attorney 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 illegal graffiti violation, the proposed ordinance would also:
- require restitution for city labor and material graffiti abatement costs;
- allow for graffiti abatement community service in lieu of monetary damages and restitution, at the discretion of the City Attorney’s Office.
City Attorney Davison spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance at today’s Public Safety Committee hearing.
It will be heard again at the committee’s July 8, 2025 hearing.
If the committee approves the ordinance, it will head to the full Council.
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell: “Addressing unwanted graffiti has been a priority for my administration from the beginning. 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.”
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson: “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. 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.”
Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle (Public Safety Committee Chair): “Curbing graffiti and its negative impacts on neighborhoods is just one of our pillars in the strategic framework to help ensure residents feel safe. 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.”