Chehalis council adopts Ordinance 1113‑B, making unlawful graffiti an infraction after debate over removal window

Chehalis City Council on June 23 adopted Ordinance No. 1113‑B, amending sections of the Chehalis Municipal Code related to unlawful graffiti acts and establishing enforcement procedures. The ordinance, passed on second and final reading, changes how the city treats graffiti violations and sets a timeline for property owners to address graffiti.

Council members and staff said the ordinance moves the graffiti offense from a misdemeanor classification to an infraction and reduces the maximum penalty compared with earlier drafts. A councilmember summarized the change as a reduction in potential fines to $500 in the updated draft presented to the council.

The vote followed extended debate over the compliance window. Councilmember Szyce moved to amend the ordinance to extend the period for property owners to remediate graffiti from 30 days to 60 days, saying, “I would like to amend it to provide more time to codify more time. That's an official motion.” The amendment was seconded and discussed; city public‑safety staff cautioned that research shows faster removal is more effective at lowering related crime. The city’s police chief said, “studies have shown that the quicker it's removed, the quicker it actually has an impact on, other crime in that area.” After discussion the amendment failed and council then voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1113‑B as presented.

Council members clarified the city’s enforcement approach during discussion. Several members said the intent is to give residents reasonable leeway if they cannot comply within the initial period (for example, due to disability or travel), and that staff would consider extensions on a case‑by‑case basis rather than pursue citations immediately. One councillor urged codifying those discretionary extensions to ensure consistent application; others said routine administrative discretion is appropriate.

City staff read the ordinance title into the record after the vote; the ordinance text as read indicates it amends chapter 7.04.0130 and adds chapter 7.04.0135 of the Chehalis Municipal Code and “establishes an effective date,” though the specific effective date was not stated on the meeting transcript.

The council’s action concludes the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1113‑B. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally by name; the motion outcome is recorded as approved in the meeting minutes.

Background: Council discussion cited community concerns that visible graffiti can affect neighbors who see the damage daily and referenced the city’s broader nuisance code and enforcement practices. The ordinance replaces previous penalties with an infraction classification and sets the administrative path for notice and remediation.

What’s next: The ordinance was adopted; the transcript does not specify the ordinance’s effective date or an implementation timetable for enforcement and notifications.