It is the policy of this city to prevent graffiti in the city
and to provide a program for removal of graffiti and other inscribed
material from walls, fences and structures located on public or private
property. California
Government Code Section 53069.3 authorizes the
city to provide for the removal of graffiti. Section 38772 of the
Government Code authorizes the city to make the expense of such removal
a lien against the property of, and a personal obligation against,
a minor creating or causing graffiti and the parent or guardian having
custody and control of the minor. California
Penal Code Section 594.5
authorizes the city to regulate the sale of aerosol containers of
paint. The city council finds that graffiti is often used as a method
of communication by and between gangs engaged in criminal activities,
and the presence of such gangs is detrimental to the public health,
safety and welfare. The city council further finds that graffiti,
as defined herein, is obnoxious and a public nuisance which serves
as an invitation for repeated trespasses and vandalism and therefor
must be abated as to avoid its detrimental impact on the city.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1012 § 1, 1995)
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following
meanings:
"Expense of abatement"
includes, but is not limited to, court costs, attorney's
fees, costs of removal of the graffiti or other inscribed material,
costs of repair and replacement of defaced property, and the law enforcement
costs incurred by the city, county, or city and county in identifying
and apprehending the minor.
"Graffiti or other inscribed material"
means any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, mark or
design that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn or painted
on any real or personal property.
"Minor"
means a minor who has confessed to, admitted to, or pled
guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 640.5,
640.6 or 640.7 of the California
Penal Code, or a minor convicted
by final judgment of a violation of Section 594, 594.3, 640.5, 640.6
or 640.7 of the
Penal Code, or a minor declared a ward of the Juvenile
Court pursuant to Section 602 of the California Welfare and Institutions
Code by reason of the commission of an act prohibited by Section 594,
594.3, 640.5, 640.6, or 640.7 of the
Penal Code.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1012 § 2, 1995)
It is unlawful and a nuisance for any person to draw or place
graffiti or other inscribed material on public or private property.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1012 § 3, 1995)
It is unlawful and nuisance for an owner of land within the
city to permit graffiti or other inscribed material to remain on land
or any structure located thereon for more than ten days.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1012 § 4, 1995)
Whenever graffiti exists upon the property owned by another
public agency, or a private property owner, the city of Manteca may
remove it with the consent of the public entity or responsible person/private
property owner. Prior to entering onto private property for the purpose
of graffiti removal, the city of Manteca shall secure the written
consent of the responsible person, which may be incorporated into
the required written notice or secured through electronic mail, facsimile,
and/or a hard copy correspondence. Such removal shall not involve
the painting or repair of any more extensive an area than where the
graffiti is located. The city removing such graffiti does not relieve
the private property owner of any expenses and/or liability as set
out in this section.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1012 § 5, 1995; Ord. O2021-01 § 1)
Any person violating Sections
9.36.030 through
9.36.050 of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 869 § 1, 1990)