[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Argyle 12-7-2005 as Title 11, Ch. 3, Sec. 11-3-12, of the 2005 Village Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCE
Juveniles — See Ch. 360.
Public nuisances — See Ch. 405.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section:
GRAFFITI
Any drawing, figure, inscription, symbol or other marking which is scratched, painted, drawn in pen or marker, or placed by some other permanent or semipermanent means upon sidewalks, streets, public or private structures or any other place in public view without the express permission or consent of the property owner.
Graffiti is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, as defined under Chapter 405 of this Code, affecting peace and safety. Graffiti is deemed to be a public nuisance not only because it offends the aesthetic sensibilities of the community but because it may indicate the presence of gang activity or encourage gang activity and rivalry. It shall be the duty of every owner, lessee or occupant to promptly remove or obliterate graffiti on any building, fence, structure, parking lot or walkway over which the owner, occupant or lessee has control.
No person shall write, spray, scratch or otherwise affix graffiti upon any property, whether private or public, without the consent of the owner or owners of said property. Any person who shall affix graffiti to any property without the consent of the owner shall be liable for the costs of removing or covering such graffiti in addition to any fines imposed for violating this section. The parents of any unemancipated minor child who affixed graffiti shall be held liable for the cost of removing or covering said graffiti in accordance with § 895.035, Wis. Stats.
A. 
Every owner of a structure or property defaced by graffiti shall cover or remove the graffiti within 15 days in compliance with written notice served upon him by the Police Department to remove or cover such graffiti.
B. 
In the event any owner fails to comply with the above-mentioned notice, the Police Department may have the graffiti covered or removed, and in such event, all costs, fees and expenses will be assessed to said owner's real estate taxes pursuant to § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.