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Chehalis council adopts first-reading ordinance tightening graffiti rules, extends clean-up window to 30 days
Summary
The Chehalis City Council passed Ordinance No. 1113B on first reading June 29, 2025, amending municipal code to require property owners to remove graffiti within 30 days, reclassify most graffiti violations as infractions, and add a paraphernalia provision. Council discussion emphasized enforcement as compliance-focused rather than punitive.
The Chehalis City Council on June 29, 2025, approved Ordinance No. 1113B on first reading to amend the Chehalis Municipal Code related to unlawful graffiti acts, changing the required removal window from 14 days to 30 days and moving most graffiti violations from a misdemeanor to an infraction.
Council supporters said the changes are intended to improve compliance and give property owners more time to remove tags. The ordinance also adds a definition of graffiti and a new provision allowing the city to charge for graffiti paraphernalia when there is demonstrated intent to commit vandalism; that paraphernalia provision was described in the presentation as being elevated from a misdemeanor in the original proposal to a gross misdemeanor in the current draft.
Chief of Police (presenter) told the council the city has seen an increase in graffiti, with “one tagger that’s been pretty prolific” and another offender beginning to appear. “We have 1 tagger that's been pretty prolific and we have another 1 that, started to join in as well,” the chief said. He explained the package of changes and said the nuisance enforcement approach is meant to secure compliance rather than to generate revenue: “The purpose of the nuisance violation is not to penalize people. It's certainly not to gain money. It's just to get people to comply.”
Councilmembers asked about the city’s process before issuing citations, and the chief described progressive steps: informal contact, a notice letter, follow-up, and potential extensions for additional time if needed. On how the city would calculate staff time and recovery costs for removal, staff said work would generally be charged at the hourly wage of the employees who perform the abatement; short jobs have in the past been done without a charge. Councilmember Karnes and others pressed for clarity on fee schedules and on whether businesses are treated differently for complaints such as offensive odors.
During debate, the council clarified that the proposed graffiti enforcement would fall under the city’s infraction/abatement provisions (Chehalis Municipal Code 7.04.130) and that the ordinance updates penalty language specific to listed infractions. Councilmember Bob moved to pass the ordinance on first reading; an unnamed councilmember seconded the motion. With no further debate, the council voted to pass the first reading of Ordinance No. 1113B.
The ordinance now returns for the required subsequent reading and any further amendments. The council directed staff to track reported graffiti and city abatement activity so the council can review whether the change reduces tagging over time.
