Graffiti Abatement.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 275-35
in effect275-35. Graffiti Abatement.
1. DEFINITION. In this section, "graffiti" means any inscription, word, figure or design marked, scratched, etched, drawn or painted with spray paint, liquid paint, ink, chalk, dye or other similar substances on buildings, fences, structures, equipment and similar places without the express permission of the owner or operator of the property.
2. PUBLIC NUISANCE. The existence of graffiti on any real property within the city is expressly declared to be a public nuisance as it affects the public health, safety and welfare, and it shall be the duty of the owner or operator of the property to keep the property free of graffiti at all times.
3. GRAFFITI PROHIBITED. No owner or operator of any real property within the city may maintain or allow any graffiti to remain upon any structure located on such property when the graffiti is visible from the street or other public or private property.
4. NOTIFICATION BY DEPARTMENT. Whenever the department determines that graffiti on any building or structure within the city is visible from the street or other public or private property, the department may notify by letter the owner or operator of the property that the graffiti shall be abated in a timely manner.
5. GRAFFITI ABATEMENT. a. The commissioner may issue an order to the property owner or operator of the property to abate the graffiti observed by the commissioner at the time of inspection within a reasonable time after notification.
b. The minimum compliance of any order shall be the obliteration of graffiti by a primer paint. Removal of the graffiti with primer paint and matching building paint or other suitable removal system appropriate to the surface shall be encouraged.
c. Upon the failure of the property owner or operator to comply with the order of graffiti abatement issued by the department by the designated date, the department may cause the graffiti to be abated by city forces or private contract. The city or private contractor shall be expressly authorized to enter on the property and abate the graffiti upon exterior walls, fences and other structures abutting public streets, property or right of way. All reasonable efforts to minimize damage from such entry shall be taken by the city, and any paint used to obliterate graffiti shall be as close as practicable to the background color or colors. The cost of the graffiti abatement and inspection costs shall be charged against the property, shall be a lien upon the property and shall be collected as a special charge.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-2/CH275.pdf#page=21Fetched: 10/26/2026