CITY OF MADISON
CO-PAY GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM

Cheryl Van Lear
Building Inspection Unit
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
P.O. Box 2984
Madison, WI 53701-2984

Tel: 608-266-4551

Fax: 608-266-6377

Email: cvanlear@cityofmadison.com

The City of Madison Mayor and Council have approved a pilot program to assist the community in combating the increasing level of graffiti vandalism. One part of graffiti vandalism control is quick, consistent removal of graffiti messages. Toward that end a property owner may contract with the City of Madison for removal of graffiti on his/her property. The cost to the owner of the property will be a $100 flat fee per removal project.

In order to participate in the program an application must be returned to the Building Inspection Unit accompanied by a $100 (non-refundable) fee.

In return for the fee, the contractor will remove all graffiti on the property as of the date removal work is done. Additional graffiti incidents occurring at later dates will require a new application for removal and an additional fee. The following procedures either singly or in combination will be used for removal at the contractor’s discretion unless the owner requests other specific arrangements at the time of application.

1. Power water washing

2. Chemical removal

3. Sand blasting

4. Baking soda blasting

5. Spray painting

6. Brush or roller painting

With all removal procedures graffiti writing will either be traced as closely as possible or a geometric area will be established which will encompass the graffiti. Removal will take place within that area. Edges will be blended as much as possible to make a reasonable transition to untreated areas, however, some "ghosting" may still exist. Some of these procedures will result in an etching or cleaning of the surface. Paint colors and types will be chosen to match the existing as closely as possible.

To return an application by mail, send to:

Graffiti Project
Building Inspection Unit
P.O. Box 2984
Madison, WI 53701-2984

Include a check for $100 made out to the City Treasurer.

To return an application in person, come to:

Building Permit Counter
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite LL100

At the counter the $100 fee may be paid in cash, by check or with Visa or Master Card, Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 4:15 p.m.

Unless the box has been checked on the application indicating no further contact is necessary, the removal contractor will contact the applicant for an appointment the week following the receipt of the completed application by the Building Inspection Unit. A meeting will be arranged at the property. (For applications received between November 15 and April 1, contact will be made when the weather becomes consistent with removal techniques).

Applications will generally be processed on a first come, first served basis (or by lottery if initial response exceeds funding) as long as funds are available. In order for a property to be scheduled for a removal project both the properly filled out application and the $100 fee must have been received by the Building Inspection Unit.

Questions about the program can be directed to the Building Inspection Unit, 266-4551.