Removal of Graffiti.
Austin City Code § 9-4-45
in effect§ 9-4-45 - Removal of Graffiti.
(A) Before prosecuting an offense for a violation under Section 9-4-43(B) or taking action to abate the graffiti under this section, the director must offer to remove the graffiti from the owner's property free of charge, and the owner must refuse the offer. An owner refuses the offer to remove graffiti by either:
(1) providing a written refusal of the offer to the director; or
(2) failing to respond to the offer within five business days after the date on which the owner is deemed to have received notice of the offer.
(B) An owner must remove graffiti from the owner's property on or before the 15th day after the date the owner receives notice under Section 9-4-44. If the owner fails to remove the graffiti on or before the 15th day after the date of receipt of the notice, the City may remove the graffiti.
(C) If the owner fails to remove the graffiti, the City may assess its expenses against the owner or against the property in accordance with state law.
(D) An owner may avoid expenses or a lien assessment by establishing a defense listed under Section 9-4-43(D).
(E) When the City removes graffiti from private property free of charge, the director may use latex paint materials that are environmentally friendly that may not match the existing background surface color. These paint materials will be used to paint over the graffiti and no other part of the property. The director will not power wash the property marked by graffiti.
Source: Ord. No. 20250911-011, Pt. 3, 9-22-25.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9PRAC_CH9-4PRAC_ART3OFREPR_S9-4-45REGRFetched: 10/27/2026