Council amends and approves tougher graffiti ordinance, adds security deterrents

Placentia's City Council approved amendments to the municipal graffiti ordinance on Feb. 4, 2025, expanding tools for code enforcement and adding options for property-level deterrence. Development Services Director Joe Lambert introduced the ordinance; Code Enforcement Supervisor Dan Pivaroff told the council the changes clarify who is a responsible party, limit display and storage of aerosol paints and marking pens, and require anti-graffiti measures for new developments and repeat locations.

"Acts of graffiti are most often committed by persons under 18 years of age," Dan Pivaroff said during the presentation, describing proposed provisions that could hold parents or guardians financially liable for abatement costs in repeat cases. The draft ordinance includes a 48-hour removal timeframe for identified graffiti, language allowing the city to recover costs and, in repeated instances, the option to request treble damages and place a lien or special assessment on property to recover abatement expenses.

Councilmembers raised concerns about the expense and aesthetics of anti-graffiti coatings and suggested a hierarchy of deterrents, such as murals, live landscaping, lighting or security measures. After discussion the council approved an amendment inserting "live landscaping, security deterrence measures, and other techniques approved by the Development Services Director" into the sections addressing repeat locations and new development requirements. The motion passed 5-0.

The ordinance will return as finalized language for second reading and formal adoption; staff said they will work with Public Works and code enforcement on implementation and on potential programs to help property owners who cannot immediately meet removal timelines.