[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Plymouth 4-5-2010 ATM by Art. 27 (Ch. 77 of the 1999 Code). Amendments noted where applicable]
As used in this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GRAFFITI
Any unauthorized writing, printing, marks, signs, symbols, figures, designs, inscriptions, or drawings that are written, scratched, painted, drawn, or otherwise placed on any exterior surface of: a) any part of any building or any appurtenance thereof, b) any fence, post, flagpole, tree, streetlight, tower, tank, sign, or other freestanding structure, c) any monument, gravestone, tablet, vase, statue or other device erected to mark a public place or to commemorate an historic event, d) any street sign, guard rail, road, bridge, tunnel, retaining wall, utility apparatus, or playground apparatus, and which have the effect of defacing same.
A. 
Findings. The Town Meeting finds and determines that:
(1) 
Graffiti on public and private objects and structures is offensive.
(2) 
Unless graffiti is promptly removed, nearby properties become the target of graffiti, resulting in neighborhoods becoming less desirable places in which to reside and do business.
(3) 
Graffiti is inimical and destructive of the rights and values of private property owners as well as the total community.
B. 
Purpose. The purpose of this bylaw is:
(1) 
To help prevent the spread of graffiti.
(2) 
To further educate the public, in conjunction with the Town's "Take Pride, Town Wide" program, and with the assistance of the Town's neighborhood associations, on the importance of removing graffiti from public and private property.
(3) 
To provide additional enforcement tools to protect public and private property from acts of vandalism and defacement.
C. 
Declaration. The Town Meeting declares that graffiti is a public and private nuisance which must be abated according to the provisions and procedures herein contained.
[Amended 10-18-2025 ATM by Art. 10]
A. 
Duty. People may report the discovery of graffiti anytime by contacting the Office of Community Development. Removal of graffiti from public property is the responsibility of the Town. Removal of graffiti from private property is the responsibility of the owner. Upon receipt of notification of the existence of graffiti on public property or private property, the Office of Community Development is authorized to forward to the Police Chief a copy of the completed "Initial Graffiti Removal Request- Site Information" form for purposes of potential criminal proceedings against the perpetrator.
B. 
Removal of graffiti from public property. Upon receipt of notification of the existence of graffiti on public property, the Office of Community Development is authorized to notify the Department of Public Works to remove the graffiti.
C. 
Removal of graffiti from private property.
(1) 
No cost graffiti removal.
(a) 
Upon receipt of notification of the existence of graffiti on private property, the Office of Community Development is authorized to notify the assessed owner of the property by certified mail and by first class mail. The notice shall contain the following information:
[1] 
One or more photograph(s) of the graffiti;
[2] 
A copy of the completed "Initial Graffiti Removal Request- Site Information" form;
[3] 
A copy of the "Removal of Graffiti Agreement and Release of Liability" form ("Agreement and Release");
[4] 
A copy of the Town Manager's "Take Pride Town Wide" brochure; and
[5] 
A copy of this bylaw.
(b) 
If the Agreement and Release is signed and returned within 30 days of the date of mailing, the Office of Community Development is authorized to engage a third-party contractor to remove the graffiti within two days thereafter at no cost to the owner.
(2) 
Assessed cost graffiti removal. If the Agreement and Release form is not signed and returned by the owner within said 30 days, and if the graffiti has not been removed by said date, the Office of Community Development is authorized to so advise the Town Manager or his designee, who is thereupon authorized to notify the owner by certified mail and by first class mail that if the Agreement and Release is not signed and returned by the owner within 15 days, and if the graffiti has not been removed by said date, the Town Manager or his designee is thereupon authorized to assess to the owner an initial fine of $300 and additional fines of $300 per month until the graffiti has been removed. Said fines include interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the date said fines were assessed.
If any provision(s) of this bylaw or the application of such provision(s) to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this bylaw and the applicability of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.