City skyline over Lake Monona, featuring the Wisconsin State Capitol and Monona Terrace. Several construction cranes are visible.
Building Inspection

Graffiti

Graffiti on an exterior wall of a private building

Graffiti is a mark that defaces a structure without permission from its owner. The owner of a property must remove graffiti from the site. 

Complaints

We take complaints for graffiti on private property, like homes and businesses. 

Contact Streets for graffiti on public property, such as:

  • Bus stops
  • Light poles
  • Street signs
  • Utility boxes

Graffiti Removal Co-Pay Program

The Graffiti Removal Co-Pay Program helps residents and businesses remove vandalism. Fast removal helps dissuade more graffiti.

What is the program?

As a property owner, you may contact us for help removing graffiti from your lot. You will pay a $100.00 flat fee per removal. The City will cover the rest of the contractor's costs. After we review your application, we will contact the best contractor for the job.

From November 15 – April 1, removal is on hold. During this time, you will need to temporarily cover the graffiti.

How do I apply?

The property owner will need to fill out the Graffiti Removal Application. With the form, include a $100.00 payment (check payable to City Treasurer).

  • By Mail

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

  • In Person

    Use the drop box outside of the Doty Street door of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

    Please place the check and application in a single envelope.

We process forms on a first come, first serve basis. Building Inspection stops taking applications when funds run out. We need your filled out application and fee before we schedule a removal.

What is the process for graffiti removal?

The contractor will remove the graffiti you described on the application. If there is new graffiti after the removal date, you will need to submit a new application and fee. The contractor will either trace the graffiti or set up an area that covers the graffiti.

The contractor will remove as much graffiti as they can. Some procedures will result in an etching or cleaning of the surface. Contractors will match the existing paint as much as possible.

The contractor will choose some of the following removal procedures:

  1. Power water washing
  2. Chemical removal
  3. Sand blasting
  4. Baking soda blasting
  5. Spray painting
  6. Brush or roller painting

Resources

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