Note: Prior code history: Prior code §§ 2133—2138.
A. 
The City Council hereby finds and declares that:
1. 
Graffiti is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the public in that it supports a perception in the community that the laws protecting public and private property can be disregarded with impunity.
2. 
This perception fosters disrespect for the law that results in an increase in crime; is detrimental to property values, business opportunities and the enjoyment of life, conflicts with the City's property maintenance goals and aesthetic standards, and results in additional graffiti and the targeting of other properties for vandalism unless graffiti is quickly removed from public and private property.
3. 
Graffiti is a threat to public safety and must be promptly abated, as provided herein, to prevent its proliferation and harm to persons and property in the City, as the re-application, and spread of, graffiti has been found to dramatically decrease when it is removed quickly.
4. 
Enlisting the support of business and property owners in the City and their assistance with and consent to abate graffiti on their properties are recognized and emphasized as key elements in combating graffiti vandalism.
5. 
The purposes of this Chapter are to provide regulations aimed at prevention and control of graffiti vandalism.
B. 
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings set forth below.
"Abate; abatement"
means to promptly and correctly remove graffiti; the removal of graffiti.
"Adhesive sticker"
means any piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or other material with an adhesive, paste or gummed backing, which, when applied or affixed to any surface, either creates a permanent contact or is not easily removable without the use of solvents.
"Aerosol paint container"
means a container, regardless of the material from which it is made, that is adapted or crafted for the purpose of spraying paint or similar substances capable of defacing property.
"Defacement"
means the intentional altering of the physical shape or physical appearance of property without the prior written consent of the owner.
"Etching cream"
means any caustic cream, gel, liquid, or solution capable, by means of a chemical action, of marking, defacing, damaging, or destroying glass, plastic, wood, metal, or concrete surfaces in a manner similar to acid.
"Etching tool"
means any sharp or pointed instrument that is capable of etching or marking glass, plastic, wood, metal, or concrete surfaces, including, but not limited to, picks, scribes, awls, chisels, markers, and etchers, or any masonry or glass drill bit, carbide drill bit, glass cutter, grinding stone, or acid etching solution.
"Graffiti"
means any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, marking, adhesive sticker, or design that is written, marked, etched, inscribed, scratched, drawn, affixed, or painted on any property, including any building, structure, fixture, permanent or temporary improvement, or personal property of another.
"Graffiti implement"
means an adhesive sticker, an aerosol paint container, etching cream, an etching tool, an indelible marker, a paint stick, a graffiti stick, a spray actuator, or any other device or instrument capable of creating graffiti.
"Graffiti tool"
means an aerosol-type paint container, etching cream, etching tool, felt-tip marker, paint stick, spray actuator, bumper sticker, sticker, or any device or material capable of being used to create a mark at least one-quarter inch wide and/or visible from a distance of five feet.
"Indelible marker"
means any device containing fluid that is not soluble in water and has a writing surface for applying such fluid.
"Minor"
means a person under 18 years of age.
"Paint stick" or "Graffiti stick"
means a device containing a solid form of paint, chalk, wax, epoxy, or similar nonwatery-soluble substance, capable of being applied to a surface to leave a mark at least one-quarter inch wide and/or visible from a distance of five feet.
"Property owner"
means any person or party identified as legal owner of a parcel of real property listed on the latest equalized tax assessment rolls of Santa Barbara County; if designated in writing, the owner's authorized agent; any person who has the legal right to occupancy, possession, or management of the vandalized real property.
"Responsible adult"
means a parent, legal guardian, or schoolteacher of an individual under 18 years of age.
"Spray actuator, spray tip or button"
means an object capable of attachment to an aerosol paint container for the purpose of spraying the substance in the container.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1673(20) § 42; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
It shall be unlawful for any person to place graffiti on, or apply graffiti to any public, private, or personal property located within the City without written permission of the owner of the property.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any adhesive sticker, etching tool, indelible marker, paint stick, or graffiti stick or any other graffiti tool for the purpose of defacing, marking, or damaging any public or private property.
B. 
No person shall have in his or her possession any adhesive sticker, etching tool, indelible marker, paint stick, or graffiti stick or any other graffiti tool for the purpose of defacing, marking, or damaging any public or private property, while in any public park, playground, swimming pool, or recreational facility in the City. This subsection does not apply to authorized employees of the City of Lompoc or to authorized employees or agents of any person or party under contract with the City.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, to sell, exchange, give, loan, or otherwise furnish, or cause to permit to be sold, exchanged, given, loaned, or otherwise furnished, any etching tool, indelible marker, paint stick, graffiti stick, or spray actuator to a minor unless such minor is accompanied by a responsible adult.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
A. 
A person owning or otherwise controlling any real or personal property within the City shall remove graffiti promptly from such property.
1. 
When graffiti is observed on any surface in the City which is visible from the street or from other public or private property, the City shall cause a notice to be issued to the property owner and occupant(s) to abate such nuisance. The property owner and occupant(s) shall be allowed fifteen working days after the date of mailing of the notice to remove the graffiti.
2. 
Unless additional time is granted by the City Manager or designee, the property owner shall remove the graffiti within fifteen working days after the date of mailing of the notice to remove the graffiti.
3. 
It is unlawful for the property owner, after having been served notice under this section, to allow the graffiti to remain beyond fifteen working days after the date of mailing of the notice to remove the graffiti.
4. 
Each and every such day shall constitute a new and separate violation of this Code and may be charged as such.
B. 
Any parent or other responsible adult who consents to, permits, or otherwise knowingly allows his or her minor child to possess an unauthorized graffiti tool shall be personally liable for any and all costs to any person incurred in connection with the removal of graffiti caused by said child or by said graffiti tool, and for all attorney's fees and court costs incurred in the civil prosecution of any claim for damages. This Section in no way limits or narrows the liability of a parent for acts of a child pursuant to Civil Code Section 1714.1, Government Code Section 53069.5, Penal Code Section 640.5, or other applicable provisions of law.
C. 
Should the property owner contact the City within 48 business hours after the City's notification to the property owner of graffiti vandalism, the City shall assist in the coordination of labor, by volunteers or City employees, to remove the graffiti and will furnish the property owner or volunteer workers with supplies (paint, paint brushes, etc.) to remove the graffiti.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1673(20) § 42; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
Violation of any provision of this Chapter is a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
Failure to remove graffiti from property in violation of this Chapter could result in the City making a finding that such graffiti is a public nuisance and subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.628 of this Code.
(Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)
The remedies provided in this Chapter are in addition to other remedies and penalties available under provisions of applicable ordinances of the City of Lompoc and the laws of the State of California. The procedures of this Chapter shall not limit or restrict the City of Lompoc from enforcing laws and abating public nuisances in any manner provided by law.
(Ord. 1544(07) § 1; Ord. 1743(26), 3/3/2026)