To amend Section 14-15, Graffiti, of Article I, In General, of Chapter 14, Offenses - Miscellaneous, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano, to adjust administrative fees assessed for abatement of graffiti; providing for an offense for the failure to remove graffiti; and providing a repealer clause, a severability clause, a penalty clause, a savings clause, a publication clause, and an effective date. Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-6-6

This ordinance amends Section 4-15, Graffiti, of Article I, In General, of Chapter 14, Offenses - Miscellaneous, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano to adjust the administrative fees assessed for the abatement of graffiti. As stipulated in the Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 250.006, a municipality may assess expenses incurred against the property on which the work is performed to remove the graffiti. To have the graffiti removed, various steps must be followed. In doing so, costs are incurred by the city in its extended efforts to provide owners and/or other responsible parties with due process. Reasonable and prudent administrative fees to recoup these costs or charges are authorized by state and local codes and are structured based on the costs of the municipality to administer the terms of the adopted code abatement sections.

The City of Plano has not increased the current $200.00 administrative fee assessment since February 2010. To adequately recover incurred costs, an increase in the administrative fee is needed. A recent analysis of costs incurred by the City to recoup related expenditures shows an increase of $49.68. Based on a survey of cities within the metropolitan area, increasing the administrative fee to $250.00 would place the fee comparable to administrative fees charged by other nearby municipalities.

Approval of this item will amend Code of Ordinance 14-15 Graffiti. The revisions will generate a base revenue increase of approximately $2,500.              

Approval of this agenda item supports the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor of Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government.