Graffitism.
Columbus City Codes § 2309.27
in effect2309.27 - Graffitism.
(A) No person, without privilege to do so, shall commit graffitism upon any public or private, real or personal property.
(B) Every person who operates a retail commercial establishment that sells spray paint or wide-tipped markers shall place a sign in clear public view at or near the display of such products that states: "Graffiti application is against the law. Any person who defaces real or personal property with paint or any other liquid or device is guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine of up to $1000," in bold dark letters each at least one (1) inch high on a white background.
(C) Whoever violates subsection (A) of this section is guilty of graffitism, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(D) Whoever violates subsection (B) of this section is guilty of failing to warn potential graffitists, a minor misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00). Each day that such failure to warn continues shall be treated as a separate offense.
(E) In addition to any other punishment imposed, the court shall, as a separate and independent penalty for such an offense, order any person convicted of graffitism to make restitution by monetary payment for the loss or damage incurred, directly or indirectly, or restoration by physical labor to the property's former condition; and to perform one hundred (100) hours of community service removing graffiti from public or private, real or personal property. If a convicted minor defendant and the minor defendant's parents establish indigency at a hearing, the court shall require the convicted defendant to perform public work under the terms of Section 2309.27(G) as part of the sentence, the imposition of which, or the execution of such part of the sentence, shall not be suspended by the court.
(F) In the event a minor convicted of graffitism establishes indigency at a hearing, the court may order the minor's parent or legal guardian to pay the fine and any restitution required up to the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). If a convicted minor defendant is unable to pay the fine and restitution due to indigency, and that minor's parents or legal guardian either refuse or are unable due to indigency to pay the fine and restitution, then the court shall require the convicted minor defendant to perform public work under the terms of Section 2309.27(G) as part of the sentence, the imposition of which, or execution of such part of the sentence, shall not be suspended by the court.
(G) Any person who violates subsection (A) or (B) hereof, on application to, and approval by, the judge hearing such complaint, in lieu of paying the fine, restitution or restoration imposed, may remove graffiti other than that at that location identifiably linked to the violator for which the person is to make restitution or restoration under (E) above, and the judge shall require; and upon completion of such public work, the fine, restitution or restoration, shall be reduced by an amount equal to the federal minimum hourly wage then in effect for each such hour of service to the extent of such fine, restitution or restoration.
(H) Possession of all rights to any paint, brush, spray paint, wide-tipped marker or other material or tool used in the commission of the offense of graffitism shall be forfeited and disposition thereof made as provided in Section 2329.07, Columbus City Codes.
(I) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of any other law concerning offenses against property rights and shall in no way limit such other provisions.
(Ord. 1862-95; Ord. 1686-03 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2019-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT23GEOFCO_CH2309OFINPR_2309.27GRFetched: 10/27/2026