CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON

“Any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, painting, design, label, marking, symbol, or other defacement that is marked, etched, scratched, engraved, drawn, painted, sprayed, or otherwise affixed on any surface of public or private property, either natural or manmade; to the extent that the graffiti was not authorized in advance by the owner or occupant of the property, or, despite advance authorization, is deemed a public nuisance. The owner or occupant cannot authorize a public nuisance.”

Renton Municipal Code Title 6, Chap. 29

Graffiti in progress

If you see a “Tagging” in progress, call 911.

Reporting Existing Graffiti

Take a picture of the graffiti and record the address, cross streets, or park name. Report information to the City of Renton graffiti abatement via Renton Responds.

For graffiti on King County Metro bus shelters please call 206-477-5568.

Report It

Take a picture of the graffiti and record the address, cross streets, or park name. Report information to the City of Renton graffiti abatement coordinator by email, online form, or by calling 425-430-7362. Property owners should also file a police report, this can be done by calling 452-235-2121.

Check with your insurance company to see if you are covered for property vandalism.

Remove It

Remove graffiti promptly and completely.

City properties are cleaned by specific departments throughout the city.  Once a report is submitted, the responsible department will be notified and action will be taken to remove or cover the graffiti in a reasonable time period, weather permitting.

Per City of Renton Ordinance No. 5429 commercial and residential property owners are responsible for graffiti removal on their properties.  This is to be done in a reasonable time period.

Graffiti Notifications issued by the Graffiti Abatement Program give ten business days to remove graffiti from residences and commercial properties. 

• Report in-progress graffiti activity to 9-1-1.

• Report information about graffiti vandals or existing graffiti via  Renton Responds or by calling 425-430-7362.

• Rapid and continual removal is the best way to eliminate the problem. Studies show that removal within 24-48 hours results in a lower rate of recurrence.

• Install motion activated lighting in areas frequently vandalized.

• Install cameras in areas of frequent vandalism.

  • Register cameras to help Renton Police to catch suspects.

• Plant climbing plants, or thorny bushes next to buildings.

• Organize a mural project for walls frequently targeted. 

Paint over

 Painting over the graffiti can be cost effective and fast. Use like colored paint and never follow the shape of the graffiti, instead block out the space.

• Good for nonporous surfaces that plant base solvents did not work.
• Best for porous surfaces
  • Concrete walls, sidewalks
  • Wood
• Large tags or murals

Graffiti removing plant base solvent

 Most hardware stores carry some form of graffiti remover. Test on a small part of the surface first and follow listed manufacturer’s instructions. Always wear gloves and other protective gear when using solvents!

• Effective on most nonporous surfaces: plastic, glass, metal

Pressure washing

 It is recommended to use 3000 psi at an angle to avoid driving the paint further into the surface.  As with paint overs, pressure wash a box over the graffiti do not trace the vandalism.

• Can be used on concrete walls, sidewalks, stairs, brick walls, wood that has not been stained or weathered.

Scraping with a razor blade

• Stickers

• Graffiti or paint marker on glass

Three steps should be taken. Document, Report, and Remove:

• Report the graffiti via Renton Responds. The app will ask for a photo, location and type of graffiti (obscene, gang related). You can also make a report by calling 425-430-7362.

• Property owners should also file a police report, this can be done by calling 452-235-2121.

• Remove graffiti from property promptly.

• Report the graffiti via Renton Responds. The app will ask for a photo, location and type of graffiti (obscene, gang related). You can also make a report by calling 425-430-7362. Property owners should also file a police report, this can be done by calling 452-235-2121.

• Contact Building Management to remove graffiti promptly.

• Inspect outside of building regularly.

• Add or improve lighting around your property to promote natural surveillance.

• Install cameras in frequently vandalized areas.

• Organize a mural project to cover a wall that is an ongoing target for graffiti. These types of community murals are less likely to be defaced by graffiti and install a sense of local pride in a community.

• Organize a neighborhood Block Watch. Dedicate a meeting to graffiti and invite police / code enforcement.

Sign up to be a Graffiti Abatement Volunteer.

Organize a neighborhood Block Watch. Dedicate a meeting to graffiti and invite police/code enforcement.