City of Tucson Graffiti FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Department of Neighborhood Resources – Neighborhood Section

January 2007

Q: What methods of reporting graffiti can I use?

A: You can call 792-CITY (2489) 24 hours a day, email to graffiti@tucsonaz.gov or access our online request form http://www.tucsonaz.gov/dnr/Other/graffiti.html

Q: Who do I contact if I’m not in the City limits?

A: If your property is outside of the City limits, you would contact the County’s graffiti abatement hotline 792-TAAG.

Q: How do I know if I’m in the City or in the County?

A: You can call us at 792-2489, ask for the Graffiti Removal Program and our Customer Service Representative can look-up your address on our map

Q: What types of things/objects will the City remove graffiti from?

A: Our contractor will remove graffiti from residential, commercial and public properties such as homes, businesses, utility boxes, power poles, trash cans, etc.

Q: If the utility box belongs to the electric, gas or cable company, will the City still remove the graffiti or do I need to contact someone else?

A: It does not matter to whom the box belongs, if it has graffiti, the City will remove it.

Q: Does the City require permission to remove graffiti from private property?

A: The City attorney has determined that if the graffiti is in the public eye, we do not need permission for removal.

Q: Is there anything I can purchase to remove graffiti from my own property?

A: Home improvement and hardware stores carry several different graffiti removal products.

Q: If I have graffiti on an unpainted block wall, how does the contractor remove the graffiti?

A: The contractor uses a degreaser type substance and high-pressured hot water to

do the removal.

Q: What if my wall is painted; will the City use a standard gray paint?

A: No, our contractor will make every attempt to match the color of your wall, therefore, it make take more than the 48 hour turnaround time to complete your request if your paint needs to be special ordered

Q: How much will it cost me to use your service?

A: There is no fee assessed for this service, our goal is to keep Tucson beautiful.

Q: How many times will the city remove graffiti from a single property?

A: You can report the same property as many times as it is vandalized.

Q: If I report something today, how long will it take for the City to respond?

A: We have a 48-hour turnaround time, which does not include weekends.

Q: Is it appropriate to call 911 to report graffiti?

A: Call 9-1-1 if you see someone in the act of applying graffiti. Otherwise you can contact the Tucson Police Department’s non-emergency line at 791-4444.

Q: Should I report all graffiti to the Tucson Police Department?

A: If you would like to report a case of graffiti in your area or on your property, we urge you to do so as this will assist us in keeping track of the individuals who vandalize our community; however, it is not necessary for the removal.

Q: If I report graffiti to the Department of Neighborhood Resources Graffiti Removal Program, will their staff report the incident to the police department?

A: Tucson Police has access to our information should they need it for prosecution purposes.

Q: Does the City remove graffiti from the I-10 & I-19 interstates?

A: Both interstates are maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation. To report graffiti on the interstate you can call 628-5700 for I-10 or 628-5705 for I-19.

Q: What if the site I'm reporting is vacant or abandoned and there is no access for the contractor to remove the graffiti?

A: We recommend that you call the Department of Neighborhood Resources, Property & Code Enforcement Division (792-CITY) to open a case; they will make every effort to contact the property owner to inform them of the violation.

Q: If there is graffiti on a new construction site, will the City remove the graffiti?

A: Until a certificate of occupancy is issued for the property, graffiti removal is the responsibility of the builder or contractor.

Q: Will the contractor remove graffiti from vehicles?

A: For the protection of the vehicle, we urge owners to coordinate with their insurance carrier to report and remove graffiti.

Q: What methods of graffiti abatement are used?

A: The type of surface determines the method of removal. Our contractor currently paints, cleans with high-pressured water, or soda blasts the affected surfaces.

Q: What is the best way to partner with the City to remove graffiti?

A: Attend a workshop sponsored by the City on citizen graffiti prevention and removal or call 791-4605 to talk about opportunities. Adopt a spot (or a wash). Remove graffiti from washes and alleyways. Report highly visible graffiti quickly to 792-CITY. Paint plastic garbage cans with same color plastic paint. Do not paint previously unpainted surfaces. Remove taped-on, stapled-on or nailed-on flyers from poles and public surfaces.