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Neighborhood Commercial Corridors Graffiti Abatement Opt-In Pilot Program

Staff painting out graffiti
 
As part of the unprecedented COVID pandemic, the Board of Supervisors temporarily suspended Public Works’ enforcement of the San Francisco Graffiti Ordinance that requires private property owners to abate tags from their buildings within 30 days. The intent was to lessen the financial burden on our business community and private property owners. Unfortunately, the number of unabated tags proliferated.
 
While Public Works crews proactively wiped out thousands of graffiti tags that marred storefronts along commercial corridors throughout the pandemic, the enforcement pause created a large backlog of complaints to the City’s 311 customer service center.
 
Now, with enforcement resumed, we are making a fresh start and automatically closing out all of the outstanding complaints involving graffiti on private property. The reboot will allow us to reset our internal tracking system so we can effectively and efficiently address all complaints going forward.
 
If you already submitted a service request for graffiti on private property that has not been addressed, please resubmit it so we can add it to our new queue and address.
 
With the resumption of enforcement, we also started a new courtesy graffiti abatement program for businesses and property owners in designated commercial corridors who choose to participate. To date, nearly 300 businesses and property owners have signed up for the free service, and nearly 600 abatements have been completed.

 

PRESS RELEASE: San Francisco Launches Pilot Program to Provide Courtesy Graffiti Abatement in Neighborhood Commercial Corridors

The City will focus on removing painted graffiti that is on the exterior of properties visible from the public right of way.

This program does not include the restoration or repair of tagged murals, etched windows or windows defaced with acid. In addition, graffiti that is located on properties that are under construction or being renovated are excluded from the pilot program.

If painting over the graffiti, Public Works will try to match the paint color on the building as closely as possible but the match may not be perfect. And it’s possible that some residual graffiti remains.

In order to participate, property owners must voluntarily opt in and agree to the terms and conditions of the pilot program. More information on that can be found below.

Step 1: The property owner fills and submit a graffiti opt-in interest form online. The Public Works Graffiti team will contact property owner and coordinate the process. Or the property owner can contact the San Francisco 311 customer service center or email Public Works at DPW-GraffitiOptInProgram@sfdpw.org or fax 415-641-2640 to request the interest and waiver forms. The link also is available on this page and can be downloaded. After interest and waiver forms is filled and signed, property owner can email both forms to Public Works at DPW-GraffitiOptInProgram@sfdpw.org or faxed to 415-641-2640.

Step 2:  San Francisco Public Works will assess the graffiti and determine the best method or methods for abating the graffiti, such as painting over the tags or removing them with power washing or the use of chemical solvents.

Step. 3:  The property owner must agree to the action plan and sign a graffiti opt-in waiver form, agreeing not to hold the City, its employees or its contractors liable should damage occur during or as a result of the removal of graffiti. 

Once the paperwork is completed, it is Public Works’ goal to remove the graffiti within 72 hours. However, the response could take longer, depending on the volume of requests.

 

FORMS

 

ELIGIBLE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS

Properties that are located in in the following areas designated by the San Francisco Planning Code are eligible for the pilot program: Neighborhood Commercial Districts, Named Neighborhood Commercial Districts, Neighborhood Commercial Transit Districts and Named Neighborhood Commercial Transit District (Planning Code Sections 201 and 702); Chinatown Community Business (Planning Code Section 810); the Chinatown Residential/Neighborhood Commercial District (Planning Code Section 812); and the Chinatown Visitor Retail District (Planning Code Section 811).

Property owner can visit the eligibility map, and enter property address to search if the address is located in the corridor. If the pin is located in the highlighted area (light green), property address is potentially located in a commercial corridor.

HOW THE PILOT PROGRAM WORKS

San Francisco Public Works staff or contractors will assess the graffiti and determine the best method or methods for abating the graffiti, such as painting over the tags or removing them with power washing or the use of chemical solvents. In determining the best course of action, the composition of the building materials, for example, wood, metal or stucco, will be considered. The method must be mutually agreed upon by the property owner and Public Works before the work starts. The City will notify property owners at least 48 hours in advance of the work starting.

It’s important to note that in order to opt in, the property should be aware that the City assumes no responsibility if the area cleaned or painted as part of the operation does not perfectly color-match the remainder of the property or if some residue of existing graffiti remains.

 

WILL THE CITY REMOVE ALL THE GRAFFITI ON AN ELIGIBLE PROPERTY?

Under the pilot program, only graffiti visible from the street will be removed. Also, the City will not remove graffiti that is etched in glass, found on murals, or located on properties that are under construction or undergoing renovation.  Generally, the City will not remove graffiti that is 8 or more feet above the sidewalk, but the City may hire a contractor to abate the graffiti under limited circumstances.  Building access may be required. 

 

NEXT STEPS

Property owners can express interest in the Opt-In Program by completing and signing the opt-in interest form and submitting it to Public Works by faxing at 415-641-2640 or email at DPW-GraffitiOptInProgram@sfdpw.org. The Public Works graffiti team will contact you and coordinate the process. After Public Works and the property owner agree upon a property-specific graffiti abatement method, the property owner will sign an agreement.

 

Tags: 
Graffiti