San Francisco spends more than $20 million annually on graffiti cleanup. DPW works with local agencies and community partners to prevent graffiti, helps people remove it quickly, and provides programs and rewards for people who want to get involved. Remember, rapid removal is your best defense against graffiti vandalism. This webpage will help you learn about what the city is doing and what you can do to make San Francisco a graffiti-free city.
Report it
DPW will paint out graffiti on public property and notify other agencies and private property owners, so they can quickly remove it. Call 911 to report graffiti in progress, or call 311, or report graffiti online here.
If you have photos of graffiti vandalism and tagging in your neighborhood, DPW can upload them into our database and forward them onto the San Francisco Police Department. You can upload your images here, by sending us an email along with details about the location and date/time.
Remove it and Prevent it
Read some tips on the best way to remove graffiti from a variety of surfaces or download our Graffiti brochure. DPW also maintains a list of vendors who abate graffiti.
Take the Pledge
Help make San Francisco a graffiti-free city by committing to reporting graffiti and participating in the fight against graffiti. Take the pledge!
Volunteer
If you would like to help keep your neighborhood graffiti-free, learn about volunteering for Graffiti Watch.
DPW also hosts monthly neighborhood cleanups and chances to beautify the City. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with DPW.
The Law
The City's Graffiti Ordinance requires that private property owners abate graffiti from their buildings within 30 days. The details of the Graffiti Ordinance are laid out in the San Francsico Public Works Code, Article 23, Section 1300: Graffiti Removal.
Learn what to do if you receive a graffiti notice.
Visit the San Francisco Police Department's Webpage and the District Attorney's Webpage to see what they are doing about graffiti.
Rewards Fund
DPW, the District Attorney's Office and the San Francisco Police Department have joined together to offer a reward to residents who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals.
Clean and Green Trucks
Support the City of San Francisco’s campaign to eliminate graffiti in our neighborhoods and business districts by removing graffiti vandalism from commercial vehicles. Learn more.
Engaging Kids
DPW and the SF Arts Commission's Where Art Lives is educating children and youth about graffiti vandalism.
Engaging Artists
DPW and the SFAC are facilitating the StreetsmARTS program, connecting artists with private property owners to create beautiful murals and deter tagging in our neighborhoods.
Read the latest Zero Graffiti Newsletter
This newsletter will keep you informed of the City's progress in preventing and removing graffiti. Join the mailing list to recieve each bi-monthly edition. Also, do you have an idea for the newsletter to submit? Let us know.
Zero Graffiti Newsletter August 2010
Zero Graffiti Newsletter Spring 2010
Zero Graffiti Newsletter Fall 2009
Advisory Board
DPW helps manage the City's Graffiti Advisory Board, which advises the Mayor and Board of Supervisors about graffiti enforcement, cleanup and prevention strategies.
The Huddle
DPW held a citywide conference in April 2009 to help residents and property owners contribute to ridding the City of graffiti vandalism. Check out the video that was shown about the challenges of fighting graffiti in San Francisco. Also, view some photos from the event.
Related Links
Graffiti Hurts
