Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance supplements the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by the enactment of new Sections 4501.155, 4501.211, 4525.15, and 4525.16, in Chapters 4501 and 4525, which address the issuance of violations, abatement, and abatement assistance for graffiti on occupied structures. Graffiti on occupied structures will be clearly defined as a violation of Title 45, Housing Code. Occupied structure is defined to articulate those structures impacted by the clarification. This legislation creates a duty to abate graffiti on occupied structures by owner of that structure as well as a Graffiti Abatement Assistance program to assist owners, as defined in new Section 4525.16 (A), found in violation of the Housing Code due to graffiti.
This ordinance also amends existing Section 4703.01 of Title 47, Nuisance Abatement Codes, Chapter 4703, of Columbus City Codes, 1959, to align the definition of graffiti in Chapters 45 and 47 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
The definition of graffiti applies to any inscription, design, word, figure or mark of any type drawn, marked, painted, tagged, etched, scratched, or written on a property. The definition is limited to any inscription, design, word, figure or mark of any type drawn, marked, painted, tagged, etched, scratched, or written that was placed on a property without the privilege to do so.
Title
To supplement the Columbus City Codes, 1959, by the enactment of new Sections 4501.155, 4501.211, 4525.15, and 4525.16, in Chapters 4501 and 4525; and to amend existing Section 4703.01 of Title 47, Nuisance Abatement Code, Chapter 4703, of Columbus City Codes, 1959, pertaining to graffiti violations, abatement, and abatement assistance.
Body
WHEREAS, graffiti victimizes property owners and occupants, neighborhoods and communities;
WHEREAS, unabated graffiti frequently attracts increased crime in the affected neighborhood;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to clearly define graffiti on occupied structures as a violation of Tit...
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